We put in porcelain tile last winter, and are very happy with it. We have a lab who dribbles when she drinks so it's nice not to have to worry that the water will damage the floor before I get it wiped up.

On the other hand, the tile is slippery for the dogs so I have several large area and throw rugs around to provide traction for them. It also gets a bit cool with this cold snap we've been having, but is fine otherwise.

I love my tile!

I chose porcelain tile in my kitchen. Previously, I had a house with wood in a few places and the kitchen wood needed refinishing long before other areas. Refinishing is such a dusty mess, so in this house I have wood in several areas, but porcelain tile in the kitchen, bathrooms and entry. I've been very happy with that decision. If you go with tile, get big tiles for a more modern look.

Hi-porcelain instead of ceramic---much for durable.
If you are installing and/or refinishing hardwoods that are adjacent to the kitchen and they can be blended in seamlessly, then I'm in favor of hardwood floors. Otherwise, porcelain is the way to go... Hope this is helpful. Good Luck!

Hardwood; tile is hard on the legs, knees and back.

We went with the tile because it's easier to clean and maintain in a kitchen I think. No worries about water or spills. If you're totally renovating I would look into putting in heating under the tiles.

Tile all the way. Dog drool is nasty and tile is pretty much impervious.

We went with laminate in our kitchen. Look like wood but stands up to traffic, moisture, etc.

HARDWOOD!!!! I had tile in my last house and hated it- if you have pets you almost have to get on hands and knees to make sure you have all the pet hair up- otherwise when you mop you just spread the fur around. When a glass is broken on tile- you will be finding little pieces you missed for weeks. I tested a piece of Bruces hardwood for weeks before we decided to go with it- trying to destroy it- it held up great and is now 9 years old and looks as good as the day we put it down- good luck!

Depends on the flooring elsewhere, especially adjacent. We went with porcelain in our current home since everyplace else was hardwood. Contrast is good. Would recommend an anti-fatigue mat by sink or island or wherever you'll end up standing a lot. Depending on your climate, also like previous comment about radiant heat underneath if you can afford it. Would've come in handy yesterday in CT!

We would recommend on solid or engineered wood. It s definitely warmer underfoot and for your joints.

Gail, you have hit on the great debate when it comes to building a new home. You will definitely get some strong opinions either way.

I love hard wood in kitchens. The new finishes hold up well and wood is more comfortable. You will need to have the poly redone in the highest traffic areas after many years but new dustless processes make this easier.

Tile will be more resilient but grout lines can make cleaning more difficult. Clients always get tired of the tile selection after a few years as well.

Hardwood is warmer in appearance and to the touch. It gives more so is easier to stand on for long periods of time. In my experience hardwood is less expensive for material and labor than tile. Hardwood is more forgiving when things are dropped.

As far as maintenance goes, tile is a little easier t maintain. If it is a color body porcelain tile it is less likely to scratch and is more forgiving when in a wet or steamy area. The grout will need to be resealed every couple of years but if you select a medium color similar to gray or tan soil it will look fresh for many years.

I also depends where you live, in tropical climates tile is better and in areas where it is more temperate hardwood usually wins out.

What flooring abuts the kitchen? If it is hardwood, can it be matched? If not, go the porcelain route.

If you don't want to have to choose, you could go with a porcelain wood look tile! It's a beautiful alternative that provides the aesthetics of wood as well as the durability you need in a kitchen! If you've never checked out wood look tile before, you may be surprised at the wide variety of options there are: http://www.southcypress.com/Theme/Rustic-Wood-Look-Tile#.VGotePR4q0Z