Help with choosing new flooring

8 years ago

I’m trying to decide on new flooring for the first floor of my home and am struggling with deciding between engineered hardwood or wood look tile for about 1200 square feet.

I know that I would like a casual, coastal vibe in my house. We don’t get the best natural light so I think the flooring needs to be fairly light colored.

I’ve found engineered wood flooring that I really like - Villa Blanca Andalucia (pictured below), but I’m concerned that it won’t stand up to the wear that will take place in the kitchen (water spills, dropped items, etc) and the everyday abuse that that my kids will put our flooring through.

I haven’t been able to find a wood look tile that I love but feel like it would offer a more durable solution especially for the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room that we will be using it in.

I would love any ideas or thoughts on possible options. I’ve made design mistakes before (such as my kitchen granite & backsplash that I don’t love) and now I’m so afraid to make a flooring mistake that will be too costly to fix.

I’m also adding a pic of a look that I love.

Featured Answer

PRO

JAN MOYER

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

You can get the exact same look in luxury vinyl PLANK ( LVP floating) 7" X 7' planks . Water resist to the max. Incredibly durable anddings scratches resistant . Worst disaster is a simple yank of a board. Can go anywhere.......baths included

http://www.fusionvisionfloors.com/products/fusionmax/

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Comments (14)

PRO
Oak & Broad
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
sandiegofeilers a character/rustic grade floor like you selected will help to hid any eventual marks that all floors get. Tile and vinyl wont have nearly the same feeling under foot. If you look around on Houzz most kitchens in homes with wood floors will have the same wood floor as the rest of the home. As long as you dont leave food or water on the floor over night you should be just fine.
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PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
Both are fine options. Both feel fine under foot. Post the kitchen photo for better advice
Kris Bruesehoff
8 years ago
I love tile for the ease of cleaning.
Sammy
8 years ago
I think tile (not wood look tile) would be more appropriate for the laundry room. If the bath in question is a half bath, wood is fine. Kitchen, also fine.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Before you make your final decision please check out this wire brushed, white washed product I found at Floor & Decor. The pictures don't do it justice, but after looking at scores of samples, I thought this one was the most realistic and would deal with sand on the bottom os shoes and dogs. I like the texture, the not too shiny finish & the natural flaws in the planks.

https://www.flooranddecor.com/laminate-laminate/rustic-timber-whitewash-laminate-100190495.html#prefn1=brand&prefn2=productSubtype&prefv1=Hampstead&prefv2=Laminate&start=45

If you're from San Diego, they have 7 stores near there.

https://www.flooranddecor.com/stores
sandiegofeilers
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for your comments and advice. I really appreciate it.

Jan Moyer, I’ve heard that Luxury Vinyl has gotten much better and the one you chose is really pretty. Is it something that you or your clients are doing now? I tend to think of the odd, plastic sound of walking on Pergo when I think of vinyl, but if it has improved I will take another look at it.

Here is a picture of my kitchen. I realize it needs help. I’ve never felt like the granite & backsplash match and would love to change the backsplash (since that would be less expensive than changing out the granite).
PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The granite ISN'T the problem, agree the splash must go!, along with the flooring. Please don't get sucked into "more is more" A simple very pale gray or soft white subway, in a herringbone install is the most of any interest needed. Best in a more linear size such as 2" 8 or 2 x 10.....

As to the floor, nothing wrong with either option. I just did the Fusion Max for a client in a senior living facility and EVERYONE LOVES IT, including all those a third her age, and by that I mean her grandchildren. Feels fine on the feet : ) surely beats a cold hard tile. I LOATHE Pergo.

( A much lighter, cooler ) paint color will help quite a bit too.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
No vinyl in a home of any value except in the basement
baileysr
8 years ago
I’ve only had one experience with the engineered hardwood and it was very bad. Based on this I’d suggest “anything but engineered hardwood.” I had a pied a terre furnished apartment with engineered hardwood. It got very light use because it was only me, I was only there 4 days a week, and my cooking while there was minimal. After a year the floor in the kitchen was already wearing away with big spots where the finish was gone. And talk about a bad sound under foot! It sounded hollow, especially with heels on.
sandiegofeilers
Original Author
8 years ago
I agree about the backsplash! I’ve disliked it since day 1! Would you suggest something like one of the pictures below?

Thanks for the floor idea Beverly! It is really very pretty. I will go check it out.

I’ve always thought laminate & vinyl were sort of similar types of flooring. Is one considered nicer than the other? I don’t want to negativity effect my home’s resale value. Unfortunately almost all homes here in San Diego are well over $500k
PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
A home in anywhere California at 500k is a gift.!! ?? I have seen LVP in a lake home here of 2.5 mill. The hybrid Fusion Max. First question when folks enter? " I love these floors OMG!! what are they?? She lies....claims a faded memory.

Yes to the herringbone in your pic, go to a tile STORE and drag home a slew of samples. beware too bright a white for your cabinets.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
sandiego, look at vinyl and laminate flooring and decide for yourself. IMO if textured, embellished laminate planks are installed correctly, it should be hard to tell the difference between hardwood and laminate, acknowledging that it's likely 80% of the laminate market will not meet those standards.
sandiegofeilers
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you so much for your feedback. I’ll do some homework and look at vinyl, laminate & some backsplash options. :)