Poll-Hardwoods or Tile?

[PDXmom]

New house? Or old historic house? Open floor plan or is the kitchen closed from the other rooms. All of these would factor into my decision. My old dream home had hard woods. My next dream home is very modern and thus has stained concrete w/ the radiant heat floors.

[aaa0628]

It's a brick colonial (one story) in North HIlls-so pretty traditional. It opens up to the dining and den but is not an "open" (like new construction) floorplan. Those two rooms have hardwoods.

[Nepenthe]

High quality eye-pleasing cushioned sheet vinyl.

[KristyLiz]

I just built a home and put hardwood throughout - it is so gorgeous!!

I had hardwood in the kitchen in our old house and just love it. It's so much warmer looking (and feeling) than tile. Also, I like the look of one continuous floor instead of it being broken up in different rooms - flows better.

We have three little boys who could give any floor a beating, and the wood holds up well!

[KristyLiz]

Originally Posted by dinalkulp

I wonder how well a wood floor would do with frequent hot water and Lysol washings.

I use the swiffer Vac every day - sometimes twice a day on my wood floor in the kitchen, and it keeps it so clean, because it not only vacuums up the crumbs, it dusts it too!

I do my floor on my hand and knees with a terry cloth towel, but only need to use water - just damp. It looks great. No, lysol wouldn't be good, but I don't think it would be needed.

[rfb]

Originally Posted by dinalkulp

I wonder how well a wood floor would do with frequent hot water and Lysol washings. It seems to me that the wood would eventually show water distress.

I wouldn't put hot water and Lysol on wood floors. Warm water mixed with vinegar, though, works great.

I've had hardwoods in my kitchen for 10+ years, have a son, two cats and two dogs. We like to cook, and do so twice a day (breakfast and dinner). The wood floors in the kitchen have held up great, and show less wear-and-tear than those near doorways or hallways (which don't show much at all, either!).

[BlueWillowPlate]

I've had both.
I prefer wood.

[aaa0628]

Thanks to all your recommendations we've chosen wood! We have it now in our townhome and it's beautiful. It will be beautiful and flow well in our new home as well, which is older. Thanks for all your opinions!

[alexei27]

You may want to consider splitting the difference and going with a Pergo or really good quality laminate. You get the look of wood and the durabillity of tile. I have a lite pine colored laminate in my kitchen that is easy to clean and does not get damaged from water. Its fantastic!

[aaa0628]

thanks for your opinion. The rest of the home has real hardwoods, so I think it would look a little out of place to install laminates. But, I do know many people who really enjoy their laminate hardwoods!