I desperately need a new kitchen floor, but I don't know what to get. I like the look and quality of hardwood, but I have two very active boys and two dogs. The boys still like to zoom cars across the floor and occassionally they drop helmets and sports equipment on the floor. I don't want ceramic tile because of the hardness; I am prone to foot pain. I would also like something that could be extended into the living room and dining room once we pull up those carpets. Is there a hardwood that will stand up to my boys and dogs? Am I better off with a wood-looking laminate? If so, what do people recommend? Is there some other material out there? Where is a good place to look for selection and value?
Thank you all for your advice. I am going to look into everyone's recommendations, but I am particularly intrigued by the cork idea. That is something I am not familiar with and hadn't thought of, but it sounds very promising.
Am I better off with a wood-looking laminate?
This stuff looks very nice and is MUCH cheaper than the real thing. They sell it at all of the major stores (ie. Home depot, etc) Home Depot has it on their website.
Look into cork. That's what we got and I have a Lab and a 14 month old and babysit a 14month old both boys and we love it.
I second the cork! We don't have it, but we know two families that do. It's a really interesting surface and perfect in a kitchen. One of our friends has it throughout their entire house. It's durable, easy to keep clean, and has a little cushion to it (good for feet and back issues I would think).
My advice is if you go with wood (I know nothing about the cork suggestions), get one that has all the imperfections of the wood in it. Don't go with one that is "perfect" and will show every scratch and dent. We built a year and a half ago and went with #2 red oak, and it has so much character in it. I love it. We have a few dents and scratches already and they hardly show unless you know where to look.
In our kitchen, my husband put in a laminate floor that looks like ceramic tile. I love it and it has held up great! We also put that snap together laminate wood flooring all thru the main floor (entry way, living room, great room, dining room and halls) and I love that too. Really easy. He got the wood flooring from Sams Club. They had the best prices. We just have the real ceramic tile in our bathrooms.
A.
How about a cork floor? Cork flooring is very different from the cork you see on bulletin boards. I did some research on the Internet and they have some beautiful cork flooring. I am considering it for my kitchen. It is durable, soft underfoot, and it is naturally hypo-allergenic and antifungal. It can be used in kitchens and bathrooms as it resists moisture. Here is a website to check out if you are interested.
http://homerepair.about.com/od/interiorhomerepair/ss/cork...
Here is another one that has information about cork, bamboo, and other products. I have not researched bamboo, but have heard that is a durable product also.
Good luck!
Hello! I guess I don't know a whole lot about it, but it sounds like getting a cork floor would be ideal for you. From my understanding it's very durable (for the boys and dog) and a little softer and more pliable to help you with your foot pain. I'm not sure what the cost is for it, but I know the samples that I have seen look really nice, and you can get it looking like wood, or you can get colors as well. Hope that helps!
I have the "fake wood" laminated in my kitchen and I really like it. It stands up to everything. The spills are easy to clean up and I have never had a dent in it. I really like it a lot. The only thing I would have done over is go a little darker, because in the right light you can see foot prints or Pet paw prints in it. Otherwise I really like mine. Good Luck! Oh and Color Tile in Maplewood has a good selection. Ask for Jeff, he will take care of you.
We put on an addition a couple of years ago. We put prefinished hardwood flooring down the hallway and into all of the bedrooms. I'm not such a fan. I wish we would've gotten the laminate. The hardwood is SO easy to scratch and dent. We are going to be reflooring the kitchen, dining and living room next and I'm thinking about doing the hardwood looking laminate. My friend has it and it has held up so well. And then in the living room I'm going to just get a 12x12 piece of carpet bound to make a big throw rug to put on top of the laminate. When it gets nasty and I can't stand it anymore I'll throw it and get a new one or if I don't need it one day I can roll it up and move it.
I haven't looked into cork but it seems to be popular. I'll have to check that out too :o)
Good luck,
J.
Mom to 4, soon to be 5 through another adoption.
