Christine, it sounds like you've changed the overall look you're going for (or maybe attracted to) in your kitchen. I think that's perfectly natural. I know when I started hanging out here 4 years ago, I had a different image of what my final kitchen would like than what is in my head now. Of course, we probably aren't doing our kitchen reno for a few more years so it will probably (actually, almost certainly) change before we actually have the opportunity to start the reno.

Your 2 options are completely different looks. Cork may be easier on the feet and back since it is softer. But I really like the look of weathered floor boards. It would be a visually softer look. I like rustic and I assume you're leaning toward a look with rustic elements.

Do you have anywhere else you could use your lovely cork? Bathrooms or laundry? It's a shame to sell it on CL and take a loss, but I think the fencing floor could really be lovely.

flwrs_n_co, thanks for the ideas.

It wouldn't really change the look in the kitchen, actually. I am making my cabinets all inset, so it would actually fit right in. I guess I'm leaning rustic. I am still making a bank of cabinets' doors with wine crates. (Pics when closer to done!)

I'm struggling with my other cabinet doors, though, because I don't want to default to Shaker, but that's what I keep finding myself drawn towards. Got 'em all over the house, so I want something different. Anyway...

As far as using it elsewhere, I only have enough for a 12x12 room. I have hard wood throughout, except in the master bath & laundry, which is a tile I love.

I'm glad to hear an initial reaction isn't, OH, NO! It'll be a NIGHTMARE! They've plain wood and un-tongue-n-grooved for centuries...

I think you should do what you love! My in-laws put face nailed sassafras throughout their entire first floor. It looks wonderful and ties in well with their rustic features. They used polyurethane in the main living area, but wax the bedroom floor. I think it's probably my favorite flooring of all, but I couldn't handle the upkeep of waxing a heavily used room, our upstairs bedroom and landing are enough.

Ok since you're checking responses to this thread, I'm going to use you like a doctor at a party...How do you face nail flooring? At the ends? What kind of nails?

What I think is you're going to do it, or possibly place it somewhere else of course. I'm looking forward to seeing it someday. Your projects are among the few I don't feel I've already seen before they're started. I do wish you had a place for cork flooring too, though--on a floor, I should say, since It feels so nice underfoot. :)

Mrs. Mortarmixer, I just looked up sassafras flooring. How nice! We have them in the woods, but I've never seen it in use.

How thick are the boards? I think it sounds like a really cool idea, but I'm wondering how much height the thickness of the boards will add to your floor and whether that will throw off any other measurements. (e.g., will you have to raise your cabinets and appliances, and if so is that an issue?) if you install the floor up to - rather than under - things like a DW, what will happen if you have to pull out the DW for repair or replacement? This might be a complete non-issue but I'm picturing a rather thick board laid on the floor and wondering how that would work with other items already installed.

If it works, I too would love to see it!

I think I need to see a pic before weighing in :-)

Put in what would make you happy. You've more than earned that much.

Javachick, face nailing is just nailing down the floor like you'd build a house: In from the top, vs. nailing the tongue in a tongue-n-groove flooring. I would nail them on the joists, all along the board. That way they wouldn't cup, twist or warp.

Let's see:
Thickness: Some are 3/4, most are 5/8ths. My existing is 3/4. I have cork underlayment that goes with the cork flooring I could use underneath. I have been thinking about this, too. I dislike transition strips, so I will do something to keep it flush and sensible. Interestingly enough, my POC Ex made the kitchen out of a garage area. He ran the joists perpendicular to the existing, so I won't have to match end to end. With them running differently, it wouldn't look like a mistake was made. Just different flooring.

Cabinets: Mine are not currently attached under a countertop a friend built. Again, POC ex made them 3/4" too high, so I can slip flooring right under them. Or in my case, pull the cabs out, lay the floor and slide them right in. Someday I wan't soapstone counters, which is why I am really not concerned with securing all this.

DW: Again, I can pull that baby out, lay the floor and put it back. Pulling it out will also give me an opportunity to put the fridge side panels in, which are behind the freezer in the mud room.

Hmmm.... I should really save for a new fridge. Mine is from CL in 2008, at which point it was 10 years old. DW & stove, too. Hmmm. Once I build in my credenze across from it, I'll have to take that down to change the fridge.

Good questions. I'm off on tangents.

Oh - I almost got Sassafrass flooring thru the whole house. The vendor with DirectBuy changed and the new one wasn't carrying it -- yet. I absolutely loved the grain. It was gorgeous.

I was also thinking of a matt sealer, then wax. But hard wax, not the silicone spray on kind. It's a bit more durable. Plus, I live alone. No high traffic anywhere. Another weird blessing! :)

Thanks for the thoughts. You bring up things I've not thought of.

Christine, I'm in the market for some cork flooring, possibly in those colors. Shoot me an email with photos? You're in PA?

Re. face-nailed boards, of COURSE. Sounds gorgeous. I'm assuming you have access to a real floor sander, not just the cheesy hardware-store rental. Sorry, of course you do, I shouldn't even need to ask. ;-)

Hi, circuspeanut! This is pretty stuff. It's from U.S. Floors, and is their Santiago color. I think I mentioned that. It's here:
{{!gwi}}
Of course, the colors are more vibrant/rich in person.

I am not certain I have the sq footage right, but it's 6 boxes (1 opened, 5 unopened) of 1x2' tiles. Snap together kind. I also have the roll of cork underlayment.

I'm not in PA, but am close by in MD out near Annapolis. I'm always up for a road trip. Especially if there are thrift shops or reuse centers along the way!

Take a lookey-look!

But if I sand them, they'll lose their great weathered gray look.... I was thinking of sanding softly and not deeply, then using the sealer. Given the boards are pine, a little baking soda and water will restore the gray...