Handmade Kitchen

5
Oct/090

Harold left me some money so I'm redoing the kitchen - should I tile the floor, or lay wood?

I've gathered many brochures and it seems that wood is the 'in thing', as my daughter would say. I will be installing off-white cupboards that are being handmade in Yorkshire, with off-white tiles on the walls. Wood would be be lovely going through the house as I will be taking up the carpets in summer, and it will look lovely with the garden and patio, especially with the Nasturtium in bloom and the Morning Glory. But tiles are warm in winter, I hear from the girls, and they're ever so realistic at £10 per metre! I don't know how they make them so cheap. It's probably from China, which is a concern. Felicity.

Tiles are COLD in the winter. But you can utilize area rugs. Wood is softer if a can drops or a dish breaks it will mar easier. Tile is easier to maintain in a kitchen. You can make patterns of the tile.

So Pro and Con

Wood - Pro
Warmer
It adds flow to the house.

Wood - Con
Must be well protected with 3+ coats polyurethane
Is not easy to scrub
Scratches
You want a good thick solid wood in the kitchen so you have multiple opportunities to refinish it. That can be expensive.

Tile - Pro
You can create a design in multiple colors and create patterns
It cleans easily
It it's surface is sturdy and will not be damages by moisture or sand

Tile - Con

It must be sealed at least every 2 years
It need to be laid on the proper sub flooring and has no patience with any inconstancy in a not level floor, it will crack.