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We tried sanding a patch of wood floor scratch marks in the kitchen but it was too deep so those have to be replaced. The problem is that the wood tiles from the kitchen are joined to the breakfast area and dining room so it will be quite awkward to change only the wood floors in the kitchen.
Since we are going to put the house for rent (will eventually sell it), and chances are tenants will eventually scratch the same patch to a beyond repair condition, I wonder how you guys feel about putting in tiles instead.
Ok ok... I know its New England and it isn't in the spirit of the house to do that but I wonder if anyone can suggest some tiles that is easy to clean, scratch resistant and still New Englandy.
We have a colonial farmhouse in Wilton so it will be best that the tiles suggested a farmhousy as well.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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If these are hardwood tiles that are joined with a tongue/groove type edge, and you can still get the exact same tiles, they can be individually replaced.
Carefully chisel a hole in the center, break apart toward the edges and remove a hunk at a time. Then use a table saw, die grinder or even sharp utility knife to cut off the tongues on the adjoining tiles and on the new one, and glue in place.
I have also seen a nice transition where two rooms had different hardwoods but with a 12" trip of ceramic tile between them.
If these are hardwood tiles that are joined with a tongue/groove type edge, and you can still get the exact same tiles, they can be individually replaced.
Carefully chisel a hole in the center, break apart toward the edges and remove a hunk at a time. Then use a table saw, die grinder or even sharp utility knife to cut off the tongues on the adjoining tiles and on the new one, and glue in place.
I have also seen a nice transition where two rooms had different hardwoods but with a 12" trip of ceramic tile between them.
This is the other problem - we are changing the layout of our kitchen cabinets too and there are no wood floor under the cabinets so we have to put new stuff in anyway. Can you elaborate on the 12" trip of ceramic tile? Any pictures?
Since you are concerned with maintaining the New England look of your home, I would recommend going with porcelain or slate tiles. Terracotta will give your home a new home feel, and it is very difficult to make 2 kinds of wood look appropriate together even if there is a small visual break between the flooring. Slate looks especially nice if you have slate elsewhere on your property (i.e. in a mud room or in a path/patio outside).
personally i find wood, a product highly effected by water, to be quite the silly choice in a room where water is a huge element...we have well sealed hardwood with extra warentees aginast water damage in our living/dining room...but even then they tell you to clean up spills quickly...
so i never understood the "good idea" behind putting that same product in a room where delicate lines to icemakers and alot of water carrying pipes live.
just make sure your floor is VERY level/flat before laying any type of tile and stick with something that compliments your home and looks good with the existing wood tones in the house and since your redoing the kitchen, looks good with any new counter tops.
How old is your house? Are the floors original? Maybe you could just get the wood refinished a little so you're not putting too much time and money into the rental.
However, I think tile would be fantastic. These days they make laminate tiles that are beautiful and not at all cheap looking like laminate used to be.
I saw beautiful laminate tiles in Home Depot that looked they would be slate or stone. They also had some that looked like wood.
Also, how big is the house? The smaller the home= the smaller the rent= don't put too much money into remodeling before you get a tenant. Not that all tenants will trash a house. I can honestly say that this house we are renting is in better shape now than when we moved in here because my husband is so handy. However, with most renters you will get dings here and there so it's best to keep your investment into the house low until you are ready to sell.
How old is your house? Are the floors original? Maybe you could just get the wood refinished a little so you're not putting too much time and money into the rental.
However, I think tile would be fantastic. These days they make laminate tiles that are beautiful and not at all cheap looking like laminate used to be.
I saw beautiful laminate tiles in Home Depot that looked they would be slate or stone. They also had some that looked like wood.
Also, how big is the house? The smaller the home= the smaller the rent= don't put too much money into remodeling before you get a tenant. Not that all tenants will trash a house. I can honestly say that this house we are renting is in better shape now than when we moved in here because my husband is so handy. However, with most renters you will get dings here and there so it's best to keep your investment into the house low until you are ready to sell.
The reason I am getting new tiles/wood floors is because we got someone to refinish the existing floors and he said the damage is beyond repair.
I will look at the suggestions. Thanks guys!
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