The Softer Side of Ceramic Tile Flooring

or

the Woman's Point of View

The Handyman did all the work, but I did the shopping:) Isn't that how it ought to be? I don't like shopping as a rule, but when I shop I am fiercely serious about it. I weigh the options, look at cost comparisons , do research on the choices available... all before I hit the stores... sometimes visiting over and over until the decision process winds down. Of course in my case I get the "what ever you want, Honey" from the Handyman. Yeah, right. Whatever I want as long as it fits his taste, his idea of the right cost, etc, etc.... Although I don't complain too much ( but some!) because he has a fairly good sense of taste and I am just way too eclectic. I like lots of things and styles... and don't mind mixing. But sometimes you need a sense of order and editing to get a good result: Handyman has that.

For the tiles I knew I wanted a certain look. I like organic, the more like real slate or stone, the better, for me. I like other things too, but I had reduced the look to this choice for the kitchen... if I had the money I might have tried those pretty Portuguese picture tiles in between Mexican quarry tile... but, um, where was I? Oh yes, the final choice turned out to be a stone-look 14" porcelain tile from Home Depot. It was terra-cotta color with sparkles of mica looking stuff subtly flecked in. I still love that choice. In fact, the refrigerator delivery guy commented on what a good-looking floor it is. And it is! :)

I have shattered a number of plates and glassware on it, though. It drops, it's gone. Unlike the cork flooring that we put into the remodeled back part of the house. The other day I accidentally dropped a ceramic incense burner, and it bounced! I was sort of surprised, but then I remembered that is one asset of cork flooring. Cork isn't highly recommended for the kitchen, like hardwood, though, because of all the moisture. Some people choose those types of floors, anyway; you just have to weigh the options for what you most want from the material.

What I like about ceramic tile is the that it is durable and good looking, it is cool in the summer, and easy to clean. The part near the heater retains heat in the winter- sort of a cozy place for the toes in the winter... but not that I stand in one place in the kitchen... it is just a pleasant sensation when passing through ;)
It is hard underfoot, but a kitchen rug in front of the sink ameliorates that. Overall, I am completely happy with the choice- as I say over and over- I just love my kitchen.

When my son lived in Phoenix his house was entirely tiled with ceramic floors, the smooth type (except for a carpeted living room). It was perfect for that climate and very easy to clean. I have just always liked tile, and I think it should be used more as it was in the Craftsman era. The artistic possibilities alone are amazing.

Cost is the only limitation. I fell in love with many beautiful tiles at the tile place where we purchased the counter tile, but, alas, the budget wasn't big enough. I did make a concession to my desire by buying enough Italian tiles to intersperse in the surround and above the stove. Their expense was totally worth it. A set of five different tiles all with pictures of different urns or containers. I will take a picture of that,because it is difficult to describe properly... and you know what they say about pictures and words!

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Flooring

We've had experiences with different kinds of flooring over the years. And a few oddball flooring situations. Like the bowing of the upper bedroom floor. I found out that the inventive Amish farmer had installed a water resevoir up there after bringing the toilet facilities indoors. Trouble was, it leaked and the weight ended up bowing the floor. That floor ( and bedroom) is still on the to-do list. The floorboards have to come up and new joists scabbed in which will level the floor surface. That will be only the beginning of the needed work- the crumbling old plaster walls and ceiling will all need replacement. That room is unoccupied until we get the work done. We've used it for storage- which I'm trying to relocate so we can finish this one last big job. Medium job,in comparison to some of the others, really.

One of my husbands learning experiences was on the first floor we did here- refinishing the dining room floor. It has oak boards that were under old vinyl covering. We removed the worn, damaged vinyl and my husband then rented a floor sander. Not for the fainthearted! I don't think he will ever attempt that job again... the lesson learned is to keep the sander moving- he had some places where he went over the areas a leetle too assiduously and it doesn't take long to get an uneven floor. That was never really resolved, but the stain with polyurethane was a good choice for the finishing. It has been easy to upkeep and looked pretty good all these years. The floor is something we can live with- which is almost surprising since my husband is a perfectionist about things (which is why we both don't want me to do the wallpaper work)- but just goes to show that over time there are things you accept and adjust to. Yet, if you asked him.... but I try not to go there.

Now. The newest project was to put new flooring on the remodeling project. I wanted something easy to keep clean, without too much work to keep up a decent finish, and fairly warm underfoot. I love the ceramic tile in my kitchen, but that was out due to it being both hard and cold underfoot. And forget it if you drop something breakable on it. I did some research and came upon something not widely used: cork. We bought the rectangle tiles that snap together in a floating floor. It takes a few special tools, but turned out to be fairly uncomplicated to assemble. The caveat is to ignore the contractor who tells you the floor is "level enough". aside: First time we had to use outside work was on this project because it was so ambitious and -let's face it, we had to move my mom in a time frame of less than who knows how long it would have taken on our own. A floating floor has these weird bubbled places if the floor underneath isn't sufficiently level. My husbands job was fine and went without a hitch... the contractors part above the garage? Had to use leveler and it still bubbled a bit. Just saying; I really have no complaints about the person who did the work- he was great,really- a friend of ours. I just don't think people realize that [for the cork floor, anyway] those floating panels need a truly level surface to keep from having weird bubble places-sort of a bit bouncy when you walk on them. Like, hmm, did that floor just move? ooo.

But wow. We really liked the way it turned out. I am so sold on cork flooring now- fantasized about re-doing all the downstairs in it. Which, practically speaking won't happen, but the cork was lovely. I loved the choice my husband made for the office part. It is the natural color [which I like best], and has a burled look. He coated it twice with polyurethene sealer and for cleaning just vacuum and use the Swiffer type cleaner on it. Couldn't be simpler to maintain.

I'm supposed to exercise in that room. But have been ....remiss.


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