Need flooring help

5 years ago

It's time to remodel after pipe leak. What color wood flooring would you suggest? I must replace carpet first due to water damage and budget. The home gets limited natural light. I am considering painting the wood ceiling to brighten. I'll replace shutters with white plantations. House is Mediterranean/SW style with arched windows, wooden french doors, saltillo tile in entry and kitchen. May sell in a year or two.

Featured Answer

SJ McCarthy

5 years ago

The wax is the sealant. That can all be cleaned off - and the grout line revived. These types of wax finishes are not permanent. They can be removed so the tile can be brought back to the original look.

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Comments (9)

SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Photos of the flooring that will touch the new floors?

Are you on slab?

Where are you located?
skyjayhawk
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, on slab. here is the saltillo that the new flooring will touch. considering replacing it down the road. Located in the SW desert.
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skyjayhawk
Original Author
5 years ago
oops forgot the pic....
skyjayhawk
Original Author
5 years ago
see above. thanks!
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
First things first: your tile needs a SERIOUS clean and then it needs it's wax polish. I would hire this out.

I know you want to replace it down the road, but you want to be aware the cost to remove is mind blowing. It is not cheap. These tiles do not use thinset (easy to break out). They use mortar/cement. That can be a big bill ($4-$5/sf to remove). The other thing you want to know is the Saltillo is VERY valuable. The INSTANT you remove this the inherent value in your home DROPS.

Your Saltillo is in rough shape because no one took care of it. This is one of the few man-made flooring products that can go 100+ years. That's what makes it sooooo valuable.

Since you are looking at selling in a short time period, I HIGHLY recommend you save the $5/sf to remove it and spend $2-$3/sf RESTORING it. The value a well maintained Saltillo floor adds to your home is FAR MORE than any of marble, travertine or even terrazzo on the market today.

I would only replace it if I were doing an entire kitchen gut and an upgrade to a HIGHLY MODERN look. You would have to replace it with a floor that is AS VALUABLE as the Saltillo = $25/sf floor.

I would pick your carpet that is a nice match to the fireplace AND the SALTILLO and have the tile cleaned and waxed. The difference will amaze you!

Remember: you are 'cleaning up' the house for someone else...not you. If you are selling in 2 years, this is no longer 'your home'. It is a home ready for sale. Let someone else pay $5-$6/sf to rip out the Saltillo.
skyjayhawk
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the feedback. FYI, the tile was never sealed other than waxed and it was "antiqued" with a brown paste waxed by the installer and original owner years ago. I have since only used paste wax once per year and I'm afraid what you perceive as dirt is not removable without sanding, which can ruin the tile.
skyjayhawk
Original Author
5 years ago
To be frank, I like the more subdued and antique finish look. Plenty of homes that are in my area that scream out too loudly with brilliant orange and yellow saltillo. Real-estate agent said leave it as is.
SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
I would still clean the grout. It screams out "I haven't been cleaned in 3 decades." That isn't the way go about selling a house. Do the clean and see what can be done with the grout.