Kitchen flooring?

[door knob solitaire]

Isabel...are all of these new flooring floors in question connected? I mean are they all common floor space?

I bet the replacement of that old refrigerator will pay for your new floor in the energy saving features in a month! We bought a new fridge first time in 18 years...we still have the old one...never a days problem with it. The new one...is due for the third service call. Bottom line you can''t get what you have anymore. You have quality...you know that if it has lasted that long. There is nothing manufactured today that will give you 1/4 of that lifespan. Tough medicine...but true.

Wish you could see my grout...it is purty.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 2/24/2008 7:52:58 PM
Author: door knob solitaire
Isabel...are all of these new flooring floors in question connected? I mean are they all common floor space?

I bet the replacement of that old refrigerator will pay for your new floor in the energy saving features in a month! We bought a new fridge first time in 18 years...we still have the old one...never a days problem with it. The new one...is due for the third service call. Bottom line you can''t get what you have anymore. You have quality...you know that if it has lasted that long. There is nothing manufactured today that will give you 1/4 of that lifespan. Tough medicine...but true.

Wish you could see my grout...it is purty.

I think I know what you mean, but not 100% sure. Anyway, the foyer and entrance hall are connected to the kitchen and powder room. I''m looking for one material that is suitable for all.

With our current setup, ceramic in the foyer and front hall, and sheet vinyl in kitchen and powder room.

If you''d like to post a picture of your "purdy grout", I''ll oooh and aaahhh as if it were a diamond ring

 

[door knob solitaire]

Thanks Isabel. I know you wouldn''t let me down. I can''t remember if I have ever posted a picture before. Please understand...I just can''t have my first photo my dirty grout before / purty grout after. I just can''t. I have a reputation you know!

On your flooring...what are you 5 most important points to meet...in order of importance?....here is my list of words...change them to suit you and your application:

budget, hardiness, color/choices, ease of cleaning, particular style expression

 

[isaku5]

Date: 2/25/2008 12:45:10 AM
Author: door knob solitaire
Thanks Isabel. I know you wouldn''t let me down. I can''t remember if I have ever posted a picture before. Please understand...I just can''t have my first photo my dirty grout before / purty grout after. I just can''t. I have a reputation you know!

On your flooring...what are you 5 most important points to meet...in order of importance?....here is my list of words...change them to suit you and your application:

budget, hardiness, color/choices, ease of cleaning, particular style expression

Oh, no! Test time.....I''m nervous; I haven''t studied enough; Will this test count? Priceless memories as a retired teacher, but now I''m in the hot seat

Okay trying my hardest: colour choices/particular style expression/budget/ ease of cleaning/ hardiness. Those are in descending order of importance, I think....... Ease of cleaning came 4th because cleaning lady follows instructions well...unless she disagrees...

Did I pass? If not, can I write a make-up? Or in my particular case: Is my shallow nature too evident?

 

[door knob solitaire]

Awhhh...but you see I was trying to see if budget was your #1...I have alot of samples...and styles...but one would not call them a budget first choice. Yes, it was a test question...learned that in class.

I will try to get the names for you. I hope they are still attached to the back. If stored improperly...the stickers fall off and you have a grab bag.

 

[movie zombie]

dks, can''t afford bonbons....got irobot roomba instead! kidding! just can''t afford the calories.....not mopping the floor anymore means i''m using up less calories....... but i don''t miss the sore back, knees, legs, arms, etc.

I5, i''ll check in the garage and see if there was any grout bags left here.

nothing like acidic yellow cat bile barf to test the tile and grout! remember: you said i couldn''t gross you out!

movie zombie

 

[Tacori E-ring]

MZ, is the roomba worth it? Does it work on hardwoods? Sorry for the threadjack!

 

[isaku5]

An update: The tile layers were here tonight to measure how many square feet we need all together. They''re a father and son team and besides having a great reputation and having done work for us before, their price seems reasonable.

I had a few sample tiles around the kitchen area to see what we liked best. The son offered his opinion and his dad had a good look too. The two that they chose were what we had chosen before they came. The tile layers do not sell tile so there was no vested interest there. The tile that came out as the first choice was a porcelain at $1.79/square foot. I''m just a little worried that at that price, they would be clearance items, ends of lines etc. The fact that we need about 290 tiles might be a problem. The second choice was another porcelain at $3.60/square foot. The problem with that one is that the company that sells it also does the installation. I don''t know whether they''d just sell us the tile. I will have to check tomorrow to see what''s available.

While the dad worked on the figures, his son and I talked grout. He claims that the grout he uses is excellent, but does have to be sealed every 6 months. At the time of the installation, the first sealing is included. Our upstairs bath is also porcelain and was installed about 6 months ago; it''s showing discolouring of the grout already, but can be quickly cleaned up and sealed correctly when they are here doing the kitchen.

I feel as if we''re moving forward in the right direction with the right people, but if any of you spot red flags, I would appreciate your input.

All the great advice given here has made me much more confidant and my thanks go out to all who''ve helped - special thank-yous to DKS for her humorous and valuable input.

There may yet be glitches while trying to purchase tiles, but I''ll worry about that later when I have more info.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Oh wow! I had no idea you were that far in your project. Woo Hoo! I thought you were still shopping styles. That is incredible. I bet you are excited...can''t wait for the photos...you can put your hand on a few tiles for hand shots!

6 month grout sealer...check. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 2/26/2008 2:46:49 AM
Author: door knob solitaire
Oh wow! I had no idea you were that far in your project. Woo Hoo! I thought you were still shopping styles. That is incredible. I bet you are excited...can''t wait for the photos...you can put your hand on a few tiles for hand shots!

6 month grout sealer...check. Thanks for the heads up.

It hasn''t really been too long considering if you don''t count all the flooring ideas, research (my own and input by PS''ers). Especially all the help I got here!! That narrowed things down in a hurry.

The fact that the father and son team added their input, made choosing easier too.

There still remains the questions I mentioned last night regarding our tiles'' selection. I should have more info within the next couple of days.

We are nine months into the remodel/renovation and every step of the way there were glitches. The only exception was the painting - neutral (for resale and also because I love it).
Due to those glitches, we took a 3 month break to gather our frazzled wits and to start speaking civilly to each other again.

Anyway, cross your fingers that we can get the tiles we want quickly and get on with it

 

[movie zombie]

well, i went out to the garage today to look for a leftover grout bag.....i am now motivated to clean the garage this spring/summer! its almost imposible to walk around in there!!!!!

i didn''t find it.

the grout that used on our tile does not have to be resealed every 6 months. its been 4 years now and given all the cat barf, etc. i have to say i am thankful to not have to reseal every 6 months. stuff just doesn''t stain it.

i know it is different because i had to seal the grout in the bathrooms when we moved in. now that stuff does wear off and should be done at least every 6 months if not sooner. [of course, i haven''t done it since!] but that grout will stain if i don''t get stuff up off it immediately. however, with the floor, it can be on there and even dry out and it still doesn''t stain.

good luck!

movie zombie

 

[isaku5]

Thanks for trying to find that grout, movie zombie! It''s obviously got a special hiding place where no one can disturb it

I guess sealing the grout every 6 months will just have to be added to the long list of to-do''s around here.

We had hoped by doing this reno that many of the tedious tasks could be eliminated, but it isn''t turning out that way at all.