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Property/DIY

Wood floors or tiles in kitchen/diner?

17 replies

vbus · 27/10/2011 18:16

His I'm struggling to decide which to go for in new kitchen extension and would appreciate some ideas. This room will be multifunctional kitchen/dining room/chill out area it's not obvious which to go for.

Wood/laminate much cosier feel to room but tiles in kitchen area much more practical [hgrin] Whatever we choose we'll have it throughout so I want to get it right otherwise it will be a v.expensive mistake. Units are white gloss with grey worktop. Wood floor would help add some colour and warmth to the room but are tiles easier to maintain?

Also if floor tiles, which colour would you go for? Room is mostly N.facing so don't want anything too dark on floors

Help!

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DorisIsTheDarkDestroyer · 27/10/2011 18:27

Until yesterday I would have said tiles as they are easier to clean (ime). However, yesterday dd2 fell into the kitchen and hit her head on the bloody hard easy to clean tiles. Was up half the night checking her for concussion so now I'm on the fence Grin

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minipie · 27/10/2011 18:40

I would say tiles.

As a third option, what about Amtico/Karndean/marmoleum? Comes in pretty much any style/colour you like. Softer and warmer than tiles but without the risk of rot etc that you get with wood. (Though it does take a little bit more caring for than tiles I think).

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RunsWithScissors · 27/10/2011 18:41

I'd say wood. More forgiving if you drop glasses/plates, and easier on your knees/lower back if standing washing up, cooking etc. Also in a bigger room I think it will kill any echo that tile might produce.

Someone mentioned on another thread the idea of doing a bit of tile just in front of the sink and cooker if you're worried about water or oil. Think that could be a good compromise if not all in for wood.

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effedorf · 27/10/2011 18:44

We are about to install a white gloss kitchen with light coloured glass worktops in a north facing multi-functional kitchen/diner and we have opted for wood floors because otherwise I think the room will feel too much like a laboratory. It is a chilly room in the back extension of the house and besides which, I really like the look and feel of wood.

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vbus · 27/10/2011 19:20

Thanks for all replies!

Efferdorf - this is exactly what I was worried about if we got tiles I thought it might make it look too clinical

Good point about sound factor and accidents too

Don't know about Amtico, will google it now

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Fisharefriendsnotfood · 27/10/2011 19:26

Karndean is amazing stuff

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vbus · 27/10/2011 19:47

Looks great, just had a look at their brochures. Is it really expensive?

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Fisharefriendsnotfood · 27/10/2011 21:19

It's varies hugely over the range but it is amazing. Warm, tough, looks great and virtually indestructible. Go to a reputable dealer and choose a couple of designs you like and they will come measure up and quote..

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Dotty342kids · 27/10/2011 21:26

Yup, can vouch for Karndean. we put it in our new kitchen diner extension 2yrs ago and it's been bombproof - 2kids and 1 dog have been all over it since then and it's stood it's ground. looks like tiles but feels warm on the feet and you can drop things on it without whatever it was smashing into a million pieces!

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pootlebug · 27/10/2011 21:38

Not wood. The last 3 houses I have lived in have all had leaking dishwashers or (in the kitchen) washing machine at one time or another....two of the leaks badly damaged the wood floors.

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Amaris · 28/10/2011 07:03

I've got wood in the kitchen - oak - and it's worked for me - it looks good, it's warmer underfoot and I haven't had issues with marks on it (though I have fairly low standards, which could be a factor!) I quite like it that it's the same flooring as I have in the hallway and dining room. I even had a leaking washing machine once and it doesn't seem to have damaged it - maybe it depends on what type of wood it is.

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GoEasyPudding · 29/10/2011 13:30

Have you got a utility room?
Like pootlebug says water does ruin a wooden floor.
My washing machine repair man said he sees at least one ruined wooden kitchen floor everyday of his working life.

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hobnob · 29/10/2011 16:37

Have you considered bamboo? I've waxed lyrical about it on other threads - and got the idea of it from MN in the first place!

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bubblebubblebubblepop · 29/10/2011 16:43

We've got Karndean too. Not had any problems with it. Just make sure you wash with very hot water and no cleaner. Used cleaner once and it created a film on top which was v slippery - not the best idea when holding a newborn baby on it an hour later...!

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chillipickle · 29/10/2011 22:48

I am very twitchy about tiled floors since DS1 (aged about 18mo) fell on one and chipped a piece off his front tooth.

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vbus · 30/10/2011 14:27

Thanks for all feedback. Been to few more floor shops over wkend, have to say have now shifted from tiles to preferring wood! They guy in flooring shop said wood can get trashed by leaking dishwasher/fridge etc but you can see wood warp. As long as you fix leak immediately, then wood should return back to normal state once dried out but he said it's unlikely that new appliance will leak in 1st place.

Also means no need for undefloor heating etc. It does look cosier and gives some colour to room. I did like the Karndean stuff too so I guess it will now just come down to price as it's the last thing we've to buy for new kitchen and our budget is running out!

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Civliz · 30/10/2011 18:40

We had the same dilemma but ended up going for an oiled oak floor and it's stain resistance is amazing - red wine and tomato sauce just wipe off with water - even after a good 12 hours neglect. In my experience the damage done to a floor is more to the underlay which can act like a sponge - we glued our floor to the screed so I'm hoping that any leaks that might occur will do less damage. Fingers crossed.

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