Marmoleum or Paint Kitchen Floors?

9 years ago

We live in a 1909 Victorian. We redid the kitchen when we moved in but didn't refinish the original heart pine kitchen floors (see photos). The kitchen floors (not pictured) are in rough shape and have some bad patch jobs. There is no subfloor in our house, so laying tile would mean sistering joists and having a kitchen floor substantially higher than the others. Two floor refinishers specializing in old homes have told us that we can't sand down our floors to refinish as they're nearing the end of their life (the joints are too thin and will start to pop up). Should we paint our floors or look at Marmoleum (which would only minimally raise floor height?).

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Judy Mishkin

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

we took it down to the fir, added underlayment and did this porcelain tile. i would have investigated the marmoleum but my husband wasnt into it. and he never finds 'wear' to be 'charming'. too bad.

(honestly, i was so in love with our dining room when the plaster (painted yellow) was half covered with new plaster patch.. i wanted to leave it that way. my husband thought it was nuts. my designer loved me. not everyone gets the 'tragic, half ruined palace' look.)

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Comments (14)

Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
go with the marmoleum. its correct for your kitchen and probably was in there when the house was new, over the pine.

our 1870 house had accumulated 3 layers of lino, 2 layers of tile, and a layer of maple (not in that order) over the original fir floor. i'd not advocate that.
Cat S.
Original Author
9 years ago
@ninigret: nice to hear from someone who understands old houses! Do you have any experience with Marmoleum? Or I welcome advice to go with our off white cabinets, simple subway tile backsplash (not pictured), and leathered Millennial Cream granite! Walls are SW Copen Blue.
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lynartist
9 years ago
Certainly either choice would be appropriate for your lovely older home. Painting your floor is is a a popular alternative but be aware that you it can wear ; that is part of the charm though!
apple_pie_order
9 years ago
Marmoleum. Much easier to clean than painted floors. If you go the paint route, use an overcoating of a couple layers of floor polyurethane.
PRO
User
9 years ago
A painted floor could add a lot of creative interest to your kitchen. Since it is basically a living finish wear and patches will only add to its appeal.
lynartist
9 years ago
Love " the half ruined palace look" ninegret! Made me lol:)))! I know it's not for everyone , for those who need perfection not a good option! But I do like the warmth and traditional look and a bit of wear doesn't bother me ;)!
acm
9 years ago
oh, "tragic, half-ruined palace"! le faint!

;)
Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
i wish i had saved a photo....kind of this look...
i liked it even more before RH popularized it and reduced it to faux. the true look can only be achieved by actually plastering over old stone or plaster... not just beating up a new wall.

Ligne Roset | Stricto Sensu - Didier Gomez · More Info
doesnt that look like something from a tolstoy novel, or something?
lynartist
9 years ago
HeeHee! Having been a decorative artist for many years I replicated that look more than once;)!
Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
ah well, this is all i could get away with.

ending the hijack of the OPs thread, let us know what you decide.
lynartist
9 years ago
Btw, ninegret, as always, love your kitchen!
m_gabriel
9 years ago
I really like our Marmoleum - so easy to clean and feels good to walk on and I love our pattern with the Marmoleum Click. I'm not sure if you are thinking the sheet Marmoleum. The Click does ad a little bit of height kind of like a laminate would. One caution is that the Click squares/panels don't do as well if the floor is not flat. We did not get what we needed in subfloor prep so we are in the position of needing to have it redone.
Cat S.
Original Author
9 years ago
We are leaning towards painting to avoid having to deal with adding height or level floors. Will update you all when we decide!