Poll: Who prefers hardwood floors, tile or carpeting and why

[senior citizen]

Having had all three and knowing some of the pros and cons from years gone by, but not knowing what folks building new homes or buying resales in The Villages think is the best flooring material to choose......I'd like to start a poll of sorts.

We all know what happens to carpeting and yet it is soft on the feet, knees, joints, etc. and quieter.

Hardwood floors are indeed beautiful nowadays (not like the ones I recall from our first houses that needed waxing).

Tile is what my husband would want in the entire house, but although I don't mind that we tiled our three bathrooms up here as they are easy to care for, being the shinier tile..........the type of tile I chose for my kitchen floor is not easy to care for.......with all the coffee drips, grandchildren spills, etc., especially near the dishwasher area. I do have the steam cleaner.

He suggests using DARK GROUT......but I don't think that would look good on light colored tile.

So, opinions please........the pros and the cons on carpeting vs. wood floors vs. tiled floors in homes in TV.

I now wish I had put hardwood floors in my kitchen. But are they slippery???
Especially as one "ages in place".

Do THE VILLAGES new construction homes allow for "upgrading" to a better carpeting that might wear well? Anyone who has done this, I'd love to hear from you......and please tell me the brand of carpeting you are happy with. Height of padding, etc. Any help would be appreciated..........before we finally go ahead and decide to choose a model, choose a location and then get down to the particulars. Looking forward to our visit end of year.

THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL RESPONDERS.

[mulligan]

Maybe someone else can speak to the designer/premiere selections, but in all the others, you select a "package" To include floor covering and countertops in specific color combinations. I was told that the designers in house will look at your selections to make sure you don't do anything too outrageous. IMHO, because of what the developer charges for any changes, you're probably better off living with base selections, and changing to your selections after you have lived in your home for a while. If you choose to make upgraded selections up front, be prepared for limited choices and big charges.

[cappyjon431]

My wife and I have always preferred tile, primarily for ease of maintenance. We currently have a beautiful hardwood floor, it looks great when it is swept and mopped, but the dark floor combined with our white haired dog makes upkeep very difficult.

We are closing on a resale home next month and while the current owner has just put in brand new caprpeting, my wife decided it has to go so she has already made arrangements to have tile installed post-closing and prior to the moving truck's arrival.

As an aside (and not meaning to hijack this thread), does anyone know who we can donate the to once we have it removed? My immediate thought is Habitat For Hummanity, but I wasn't sure if they had a Habitat group near TV

[l2ridehd]

We have all three in our home. Bedrooms have carpet, kitchen has hardwood and the living area halls and bathrooms are tile. I think each has there purpose and we like all three. I might go hardwood in all living areas and carpet in the bedrooms if I was selecting new everywhere. But the tile is nice as well. I like the look of the hardwood in the kitchen.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj152/l2ridehd/Granite/IMG_0955.jpg

[Mudder]

We have all hardwood except in the bathrooms and kitchen. Wish I had it in kitchen but when we bought the house the tile was fairly new and we like it so it stays. Beware of dark grout with light colored tiles because all your eye will see is that dark grout, it also makes the room look a little choppy.

[laryb]

While I prefer tile and wood for their looks, and had both in our previous home, I find a major difference acoustically with carpet. I've found that you have much more sound reflection, even with area rugs and curtains, and that distorts the sound from my surround sound system with wood and tile. Now this might just be my ears, but my son has a home with tile and wood floors, and he can hear a major difference. If you're into home theater, you might want to consider this, or maybe consult and audio-visual specialist.

[Mikitv]

I have hardwood in the living room and dining room. Tile in Kitchen, baths and foyer. Carpet still in bedrooms to be replaced at future date with wood. I love the wood and tile, both so easy to take care of. Our grout color was changed from the light color The Villages had to a slightly darker color when we had the grout sealed. We use an organic cleaner on the tile and it's very easy to keep it clean. Same with the wood, just a pad and the cleaner. Having lived in the south for 15 years I really don't want to carpet but that's what came with the house. We took the carpet out of the living/dining room asap and put in the wood.

[dfn8tly]

Although I don't have it in my current house, nothing looks finer than real hardwood flooring. I've had it in previous homes and if installed properly it is stunning. However, it can be quite expensive. Given all the alternatives, price not an object, I would probably go with hardwood in all areas of my home except the kitchen and bathrooms where I would use tile.

[Ohiogirl]

I currently have tile in the kitchen and bathrooms up north, and hardwood in the rest of the house. In TV, have vinyl (high grade) in kitchen/baths and carpet everywhere else. Our carpet was an upgrade (looks like a short shag, not sure of the brand or name - came with the house) and after 5 years, and 1 good cleaning, it's in very good condition.

Even though I have sealed the tile up north at least twice with a supposedly "15 yr" grout sealer, it looks dirty and I think it's difficult to keep really clean unless maybe you clean thoroughly more often than I do. I don't think I'm a slob, but I don't clean the floors every week. A steam cleaner makes it easier but the grout still looks dirty.

Some neighbors in TV have put in tile thruout - I think they are sorry. Other neighbors replaced the vinyl and LR/DR carpet with a good grade of laminate wood-look flooring - doesn't scratch from dogs, looks great. I am one who always thought wood-look laminate looked like fake wood. This product has made great improvement in the last 10 years, and probably what I would go for when the carpeting needs replaced.

We are getting good about taking our shoes off when in TV and I like the feel of carpet on bare feet. I wear sandals/shoes when spending much time in the kitchen. Tile is hard on your feet and back when standing for very long.

[lawatha]

We have carpet in the living room and bedrooms, tile throughout the rest of the house we're in the process of buying. I love the tile, but wonder how long it will be until the grout looks dirty- what do you use to clean it and keep it clean? Any hints, tips, suggestions to keep it looking new?

[senior citizen]

Maybe someone else can speak to the designer/premiere selections, but in all the others, you select a "package" To include floor covering and countertops in specific color combinations. I was told that the designers in house will look at your selections to make sure you don't do anything too outrageous. IMHO, because of what the developer charges for any changes, you're probably better off living with base selections, and changing to your selections after you have lived in your home for a while. If you choose to make upgraded selections up front, be prepared for limited choices and big charges.

Re the package selection, hubby said it is because they buy it in volume and that would make it easier on them. Good advice overall....thank you.

[senior citizen]

My wife and I have always preferred tile, primarily for ease of maintenance. We currently have a beautiful hardwood floor, it looks great when it is swept and mopped, but the dark floor combined with our white haired dog makes upkeep very difficult.

We are closing on a resale home next month and while the current owner has just put in brand new caprpeting, my wife decided it has to go so she has already made arrangements to have tile installed post-closing and prior to the moving truck's arrival.

As an aside (and not meaning to hijack this thread), does anyone know who we can donate the to once we have it removed? My immediate thought is Habitat For Hummanity, but I wasn't sure if they had a Habitat group near TV

Thank you for your insights.........yes, the hardwood is always beautiful.
I think our problem up here is we never had the tile grout sealed. In the bathrooms it still looks good after three years.....but the kitchen it seems to show all the spots near the frig and near the sink and dishwasher, stove, etc.
That about says it all. It's a light sand color with matching grout. I'm sure in Florida the tile would feel nice and cool also.

[senior citizen]

We have all three in our home. Bedrooms have carpet, kitchen has hardwood and the living area halls and bathrooms are tile. I think each has there purpose and we like all three. I might go hardwood in all living areas and carpet in the bedrooms if I was selecting new everywhere. But the tile is nice as well. I like the look of the hardwood in the kitchen.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj152/l2ridehd/Granite/IMG_0955.jpg

I like it also..........the wood floor looks great. No grout to clean.
Nice kitchen. Beautiful countertops. So, they were an upgrade?
Thank you.

[senior citizen]

We have all hardwood except in the bathrooms and kitchen. Wish I had it in kitchen but when we bought the house the tile was fairly new and we like it so it stays. Beware of dark grout with light colored tiles because all your eye will see is that dark grout, it also makes the room look a little choppy.

I HEAR YOU. I agree. Sometimes, model homes will have white tile with black grout. We chose a matching grout to the light sand color tile, but it does show in certain places....like coffee drips or splatters. Thank you.

[senior citizen]

I currently have tile in the kitchen and bathrooms up north, and hardwood in the rest of the house. In TV, have vinyl (high grade) in kitchen/baths and carpet everywhere else. Our carpet was an upgrade (looks like a short shag, not sure of the brand or name - came with the house) and after 5 years, and 1 good cleaning, it's in very good condition.

Even though I have sealed the tile up north at least twice with a supposedly "15 yr" grout sealer, it looks dirty and I think it's difficult to keep really clean unless maybe you clean thoroughly more often than I do. I don't think I'm a slob, but I don't clean the floors every week. A steam cleaner makes it easier but the grout still looks dirty.

Some neighbors in TV have put in tile thruout - I think they are sorry. Other neighbors replaced the vinyl and LR/DR carpet with a good grade of laminate wood-look flooring - doesn't scratch from dogs, looks great. I am one who always thought wood-look laminate looked like fake wood. This product has made great improvement in the last 10 years, and probably what I would go for when the carpeting needs replaced.

We are getting good about taking our shoes off when in TV and I like the feel of carpet on bare feet. I wear sandals/shoes when spending much time in the kitchen. Tile is hard on your feet and back when standing for very long.

All good advice. My husband like the idea of the high quality vinyl.
We have also seen good quality laminates for the wood flooring as well as top of the line.........much improvement nowadays, for sure. Thank you.

[senior citizen]

While I prefer tile and wood for their looks, and had both in our previous home, I find a major difference acoustically with carpet. I've found that you have much more sound reflection, even with area rugs and curtains, and that distorts the sound from my surround sound system with wood and tile. Now this might just be my ears, but my son has a home with tile and wood floors, and he can hear a major difference. If you're into home theater, you might want to consider this, or maybe consult and audio-visual specialist.

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON TARGET RE THE ACCOUSTICS......WE NOTICE IT ALSO IN PLACES SUCH AS YOU MENTION...........so it is a consideration.
Thank you.

[l2ridehd]

The floor is from when the house was built, so yes an upgrade. This was built in 05 when they still allowed changes and upgrades. As an example, this model is a Gardenia with 2 feet added through the middle of the kitchen and 2 feet through the garage and master bedroom/bath. I bought it as a resale and added the island and the granite. In that picture you can also see the laundry room door is coming into the kitchen is different then the standard model. I am not sure what they are doing today as far as upgrades and changes. If you look at homes built in 04 to 06 you will find many many changes from the standard models.

I own another home built in 05 where the garage will easily hold two full size cars and two golf carts because they made it 2 feet wider and 6 or 8 feet longer.

[senior citizen]

The floor is from when the house was built, so yes an upgrade. This was built in 05 when they still allowed changes and upgrades. As an example, this model is a Gardenia with 2 feet added through the middle of the kitchen and 2 feet through the garage and master bedroom/bath. I bought it as a resale and added the island and the granite. In that picture you can also see the laundry room door is coming into the kitchen is different then the standard model. I am not sure what they are doing today as far as upgrades and changes. If you look at homes built in 04 to 06 you will find many many changes from the standard models.

I own another home built in 05 where the garage will easily hold two full size cars and two golf carts because they made it 2 feet wider and 6 or 8 feet longer.

Yes, as I replied in my p.m. in response to yours........all along, we've been looking at resales, thinking that previous owners sunk a lot into upgrades including underground sprinkler systems, etc. that do not come with the brand new home..........plus with so many resales on the market, and many gently used at that.........it would be a good buy indeed. Thank you !!!

[ilovetv]

Have had them all and real hardwood in the kitchen looks and feels best IMHO.

Tile grout lines' roughness holds ordinary dirt in the pores no matter how well it is sealed off from liquid staining. Tile is "work", and it's a killer to stand on in kitchen and laundry room. (Men usually do not understand this nor do they care.)

In all other living areas, my vote is for better-quality carpeting.

Bare floors remind me of hospitals and nursing homes where they need to be able to mop up and sterilize. A home should look plush and inviting.

[uujudy]

. . . As an aside (and not meaning to hijack this thread), does anyone know who we can donate the to once we have it removed? My immediate thought is Habitat For Hummanity, but I wasn't sure if they had a Habitat group near TV

Yes, Habitat for Humanity is on Rt. 44. Go down Buena Vista and turn left onto 44, and it's down on the right a few miles.

[swrinfla]

Hardwood in bedrooms, living/dining.

Tile in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry.

Carpeting no where. However, rugs where appropriate! [Note the distinction, to me, between carpeting and rug!]

This decision was partly because I have always lived in a house where hardwood floors were prevalent. However, never in a kitchen! [I think my Mother would have been so scared that something messy, "toxic," or staining would happen and ruin her kitchen!]

Many of my TV friends are challenged by breathing problems, usually brought on by years and years of smoking! Some of them have ripped out all carpeting because it tends to harbor things that increase breathing problems! Worth considering!

SWR
:beer3:

[senior citizen]

Have had them all and real hardwood in the kitchen looks and feels best IMHO.

Tile grout lines' roughness holds ordinary dirt in the pores no matter how well it is sealed off from liquid staining. Tile is "work", and it's a killer to stand on in kitchen and laundry room. (Men usually do not understand this nor do they care.)

In all other living areas, my vote is for better-quality carpeting.

Bare floors remind me of hospitals and nursing homes where they need to be able to mop up and sterilize. A home should look plush and inviting.

I agree with the hardwood in the kitchen , also that tile is work and a killer to stand on, etc. However, dear hubby just mentioned the new bottle of Balsamic vinegar which accidently fell out of our lazy susan yesterday and ran like a dark brown river, spreading all over the tile kitchen floor.......he wiped it up, used the shop vac, etc. (wet vac) and then I sprayed Clorox on the grout which did work.........before I steam cleaned it. But all the broken glass.........yikes. So, he said, "If it was wood, it would be more of a concern".........and "If the dishwasher leaked, the floor might warp"....."nothing can hurt tile". Don't think he cares about my arthritis.
Just kidding.

[senior citizen]

Hardwood in bedrooms, living/dining.

Tile in bathrooms, kitchen, laundry.

Carpeting no where. However, rugs where appropriate! [Note the distinction, to me, between carpeting and rug!]

This decision was partly because I have always lived in a house where hardwood floors were prevalent. However, never in a kitchen! [I think my Mother would have been so scared that something messy, "toxic," or staining would happen and ruin her kitchen!]

Many of my TV friends are challenged by breathing problems, usually brought on by years and years of smoking! Some of them have ripped out all carpeting because it tends to harbor things that increase breathing problems! Worth considering!

SWR
:beer3:

Yes, I am aware of all the allergens that carpeting holds, but it is nice and comfy when new and looking good...........I know for a fact that my children, their spouses , all their friends, all our neices and nephews and the younger generation in particular DISLIKE CARPETING and prefer natural wood floors.
But our generation did use wall to wall carpeting over and over again.
Now it is known to harbor allergens, dust mites.......not mention the chemicals with which it is treated. But still lovely when new...soft and quiet.

[billmar]

Between tile & carpet in my living room area, I prefer the look and feel of carpet. Given the choice between wood and tile, I would prefer wood but it would have to be in the kitchen, living room and foyer. I don't like the look of tile and wood bumped up next to each other.

As far as changing your carpet choice. You can mix and match "packages" when building. I inquired on mixing and matching on the flooring package and exterior package. Was told I could do it, but the "upcharge" (as they call it) quoted was bit high to me.

[senior citizen]

Between tile & carpet in my living room area, I prefer the look and feel of carpet. Given the choice between wood and tile, I would prefer wood but it would have to be in the kitchen, living room and foyer. I don't like the look of tile and wood bumped up next to each other.

As far as changing your carpet choice. You can mix and match "packages" when building. I inquired on mixing and matching on the flooring package and exterior package. Was told I could do it, but the "upcharge" (as they call it) quoted was bit high to me.

I agree....would not want tile in the living room. Other than the bathrooms, I'm off tile in the kitchen too. Good to know re the options. Thankyou.

[TednRobin]

I like bedrooms and living areas in carpet, wet areas and entry, tiled. Carpet is more comfy under barefeet, and Merlin doesn't slide or click his toenails on the carpet.

[cleanwater]

We replaced carpeting with laminate and love it. Much cleaner and brighter. Wood or laminate reflects more sound and light. Our dark laminate is brighter than our white carpet.

We have tile in the kitchen and baths. Tile in the bath is great. Kitchen tile chips due to dropped knives etc. Eventually we need to get the old chipped kitchen tile replaced but tile removal is expensive and messy.

You can avoid tile grout color problems by sealing and most importantly cleaning with water only. Other cleaners leave a residue that darkens the grout.

We put tile in the lanai to avoid mold issues with wood or carpet and love the tile for this location. The carpeting was nicer on the feet in every location but the cleanliness, ease of cleaning, lack of mold and brightness out ways the foot feel.

[franjoe]

Before we bought in TV we stayed at the Top Of The World. I loved the feel and look of the flooring in the model that we stayed at. I asked the realator what kind of wood it was and she said it was vinyl. Since then have looked at various styles of this vinyl- wood look, stone, tile and fell in love with a slate tile look a like 1/4" thick. Haven't purchased it yet but the best price for the kitchen, livingroom, diningroom and halls in a corpus cristie ranch will be about 1800.00. I just want to be sure before we buy. Anyone have this?

[2newyorkers]

I spend alot of time in the kitchen and I love a good quality vinyl floor. It is easier on the knees and feet then tile and there is no grout to maintain. Wood floors also need to be maintained and a big problem if you have a water leak. I now have laminate floors with rugs in the rest of the house and I love it. I just use a microcloth mop to dry wipe the laminate floors and if I see a stain I use a Pledge product made for laminate floors.

[angiefox10]

I have dogs... Ripped up my carpeting when my oldest became ill and couldn't take care of his needs as he should. Tile for me in the future all the way!:thumbup:

[senior citizen]

I like bedrooms and living areas in carpet, wet areas and entry, tiled. Carpet is more comfy under barefeet, and Merlin doesn't slide or click his toenails on the carpet.

I take it Merlin is not your hubby? Just a bit of levity.
Yes, carpeting is comfy and soft.......

[senior citizen]

We replaced carpeting with laminate and love it. Much cleaner and brighter. Wood or laminate reflects more sound and light. Our dark laminate is brighter than our white carpet.

We have tile in the kitchen and baths. Tile in the bath is great. Kitchen tile chips due to dropped knives etc. Eventually we need to get the old chipped kitchen tile replaced but tile removal is expensive and messy.

You can avoid tile grout color problems by sealing and most importantly cleaning with water only. Other cleaners leave a residue that darkens the grout.

We put tile in the lanai to avoid mold issues with wood or carpet and love the tile for this location. The carpeting was nicer on the feet in every location but the cleanliness, ease of cleaning, lack of mold and brightness out ways the foot feel.

Could be you are correct about only cleaning with water.
I had been using a Swiffer with their cleaning detergent bottles.
Since I've been using strictly tap water / steam......it's much cleaner.
Unfortunately, we never had the grout sealed. Our tile guy never even mentioned it.......whereas, in N.J. our cousins sealed all their grout.

The bathroom tile does not get as soiled, except for the shower stall.
We should never have tiled the shower.....but it was in vogue at the time, a few years back. Also should never have bought glass shower doors.
Does anyone know a quick cleaning trick for the glass doors? They are beautiful etched glass with roses and vines.......but we have HARD WATER up here in Vermont and no water softener......so soap scum doesn't take long to build up. THANKS................P.S. THE BEST SHOWER FLOOR WE'VE EVER SEEN WAS LAST SUMMER IN TABERNASH COLORADO AT THE DEVILS THUMB RESORT RANCH.......ALL THE SHOWER FLOORS HAD RIVER STONES........LIKE PEBBLES TO WALK ON.....BUT VERY NICE AND NON SLIPPERY....HUGE GLASS SHOWERS.........AND SOAKING TUBS IN ALL THE ROOMS. WE HAD NEVER SEEN RIVER STONES BEFORE.........they were various shades of grey.

[mulligan]

Those stone-look tiles can actually be bought in interlocking sheets at home depot. Also as far as the dirt/stain issue with tile, there is an epoxy grout available in most colors which is actually stain proof as opposed to stain resistant like most other products. It's more expensive to buy and install, but the results are worth it IMHO.

[senior citizen]

Those stone-look tiles can actually be bought in interlocking sheets at home depot. Also as far as the dirt/stain issue with tile, there is an epoxy grout available in most colors which is actually stain proof as opposed to stain resistant like most other products. It's more expensive to buy and install, but the results are worth it IMHO.

That's good to know. We do have a Home Depot that came into town a few years back, which is when we bought all the new tile. Everyone in town began remodeling when H.D. came to town. After awhile, everyone got tired walking the HUGE store to find things, that we all went back to our one and only hardware / lumber yard, which was much smaller and easier to navigate.

If it's the "bumpy" type river stones like in Colorado, I wonder if they would adhere to a fibreglass shower FLOOR???????? Do you think it could be installed by the average husband handyman type? Next time he's out there he said he will look at them. The ones we saw were all shades of grey, etc. and very bumpy. Our shower walls are tiled with large tiles but the floor is a fibreglass floor in white.........which is difficult to keep clean. Again, hard water. Thanks..........

[Uptown Girl]

We haven't been in TV long, so my experience is from prior homes I've lived in..
One product I have used is called Glass Wax (Glass and metal cleaner). Comes in a thin rectangular can and it is a semi-thin pink liquid with a strong chemical smell. You apply it with a damp sponge, let dry and then wipe off with a soft cloth.
I have used it on shower doors, glass and chrome. It seems to dissolve everything, leaves a nice shine and has a water-repellant property as well.

I can't say we get much soap scum, because we usually use liquid soap. Bar soap (except pure olive oil soap) was banned from the house as soon as our contractor told us it causes soap scum, due to the talc and other ingredients. So the Glass Wax, for us, helps to eliminate water deposits and makes the squeegee float over the glass nicely.

It should work well on soap scum unless it is really thick and old - and needs removal with a razor blade first.

I re-apply this product about 1-2 times per year. In-between that, I just use the squeegee and dry afterwards with a soft cloth, if I'm feeling persnickety.

[senior citizen]

Those stone-look tiles can actually be bought in interlocking sheets at home depot. Also as far as the dirt/stain issue with tile, there is an epoxy grout available in most colors which is actually stain proof as opposed to stain resistant like most other products. It's more expensive to buy and install, but the results are worth it IMHO.

We just found them at Home Depot and also on other sites that have a huge selection of colors.......in smaller 12 x 12 sections.....Home Depot had the longer lengths, but still doesn't seem that hard of a project.

Strata Stone had a huge selection of colors. They all ship to you, even H.D..

Thanks for the info.

[senior citizen]

We haven't been in TV long, so my experience is from prior homes I've lived in..
One product I have used is called Glass Wax (Glass and metal cleaner). Comes in a thin rectangular can and it is a semi-thin pink liquid with a strong chemical smell. You apply it with a damp sponge, let dry and then wipe off with a soft cloth.
I have used it on shower doors, glass and chrome. It seems to dissolve everything, leaves a nice shine and has a water-repellant property as well.

I can't say we get much soap scum, because we usually use liquid soap. Bar soap (except pure olive oil soap) was banned from the house as soon as our contractor told us it causes soap scum, due to the talc and other ingredients. So the Glass Wax, for us, helps to eliminate water deposits and makes the squeegee float over the glass nicely.

It should work well on soap scum unless it is really thick and old - and needs removal with a razor blade first.

I re-apply this product about 1-2 times per year. In-between that, I just use the squeegee and dry afterwards with a soft cloth, if I'm feeling persnickety.

Sounds great. Thanks....I just wrote it down for our next shopping trip.

[kofficer]

Our realtor when we first moved into our present house, with a nice big shower with glass doors, to get a window squeege and use it religiously every time your shower before leaving the shower. Our glass, is still like new looking after 8 years, and so simple, and I would not have thought of this.

Lee and Richard

[kofficer]

We have ceramic tile in our kitchen and engineered wood flooring most everywhere else, and the ceramic tile kills my back. The engineered wood flooring is much easier on your bones, than tile or real wood. We love ours, and plan to change to it in TV after we move in (they no longer offer the engineered (fake) wood flooring it as an option we have been told). Just a comment for those who may have back problems.

Lee and Richard

[EdV]

I’m a bit confused by all the posts here claiming the installation of real hardwood floors. My understanding is that real hardwood flooring is problematic for the average home in Florida.

First of all, hardwood flooring is normally designed to be nailed into the plywood sub-flooring that is the norm up north in homes with basements. So to overcome that, a typical Florida home with a slab foundation needs a ¾” plywood subfloor installed first. This introduces installation issues in an existing home in order to allow molding and doors to have sufficient clearance once the hardwood is added on top of the plywood base. That adds significantly to the cost of the installation.

Secondly, is the moisture issue in humid Florida. To overcome this, several layers of moisture barring products must be sandwiched between the cement slab, and the sub-floor adding additional cost.

Would any of you care to explain how your hardwood floors were installed here in TV?

[laryb]

[QUOTE=Uptown Girl;372362]We haven't been in TV long, so my experience is from prior homes I've lived in..
One product I have used is called Glass Wax (Glass and metal cleaner). Comes in a thin rectangular can and it is a semi-thin pink liquid with a strong chemical smell. You apply it with a damp sponge, let dry and then wipe off with a soft cloth.
I have used it on shower doors, glass and chrome. It seems to dissolve everything, leaves a nice shine and has a water-repellant property as well.


My mom used Glass Wax when I was a kid, and I haven't seen it in years. Remember stenciling the windows with it at Halloween. Googled it and could not find a place to buy it. If you don't mind, where did you find it?

[rubicon]

My preference is hardwood floors. We had maple hardwood floors that ran from our foyer through our kitchen and downstair bathroom up north. The only problem with hardwood in a kitchen are the nicks and dents caused by dropping canned goods. etc.

We have had a home with tile which also ran through our foyer kitchen and downstair bath that held up well.

we like carpet because of the warmth quiet but no matter the quality or color you eventual end up with with routine cleaning due to heavy graffic areas.

We have all tile in our home in TV except our bedrooms where we have carpet. We have considered tile/hardwood for the bedrooms . I want tile because I am not so sure how hardwood will hold up in Florida. My wife wants hardwood.

Echoing is a problem here with too many floors tiled but rugs do help.

As for cleaning...cleaning is cleaning

bottom line for villages living I prefer tile

[senior citizen]

My preference is hardwood floors. We had maple hardwood floors that ran from our foyer through our kitchen and downstair bathroom up north. The only problem with hardwood in a kitchen are the nicks and dents caused by dropping canned goods. etc.

We have had a home with tile which also ran through our foyer kitchen and downstair bath that held up well.

we like carpet because of the warmth quiet but no matter the quality or color you eventual end up with with routine cleaning due to heavy graffic areas.

We have all tile in our home in TV except our bedrooms where we have carpet. We have considered tile/hardwood for the bedrooms . I want tile because I am not so sure how hardwood will hold up in Florida. My wife wants hardwood.

Echoing is a problem here with too many floors tiled but rugs do help.

As for cleaning...cleaning is cleaning

bottom line for villages living I prefer tile

Tile is exactly what my husband would like in entire house.
It's good to hear everyone's different viewpoint. Thanks....

[rubicon]

Tile is exactly what my husband would like in entire house.
It's good to hear everyone's different viewpoint. Thanks....

Your husband has good taste:D

[GeorgeT]

I’m a bit confused by all the posts here claiming the installation of real hardwood floors. My understanding is that real hardwood flooring is problematic for the average home in Florida.

First of all, hardwood flooring is normally designed to be nailed into the plywood sub-flooring that is the norm up north in homes with basements. So to overcome that, a typical Florida home with a slab foundation needs a ¾” plywood subfloor installed first. This introduces installation issues in an existing home in order to allow molding and doors to have sufficient clearance once the hardwood is added on top of the plywood base. That adds significantly to the cost of the installation.

Secondly, is the moisture issue in humid Florida. To overcome this, several layers of moisture barring products must be sandwiched between the cement slab, and the sub-floor adding additional cost.

Would any of you care to explain how your hardwood floors were installed here in TV?

I'd be interested in hearing that too. I wonder if some of the hardwood posters actually have laminate.

[Shimpy]

I've never had hardwood except when a kid, and we eventually covered that with carpet. BUT, I've had lots of experience with tile. It looks good, but is a pain. Grout gets dirty in traffic areas, and drop something on it and it chips. We had a pool and when walking in from the pool area with wet feet to use a bathroom the tile was like walking on ice. I was always afraid somebody would fall.

[senior citizen]

I've never had hardwood except when a kid, and we eventually covered that with carpet. BUT, I've had lots of experience with tile. It looks good, but is a pain. Grout gets dirty in traffic areas, and drop something on it and it chips. We had a pool and when walking in from the pool area with wet feet to use a bathroom the tile was like walking on ice. I was always afraid somebody would fall.

Yes, tile is very slippery....at least up here. If one's feet are wet from snow or ice and walk from the deck into the kitchen via the atrium doors, you can slip and fall if not super careful. Ditto for getting out of tub or shower without a bath carpet to step onto. Good cautionary tale.

[senior citizen]

I’m a bit confused by all the posts here claiming the installation of real hardwood floors. My understanding is that real hardwood flooring is problematic for the average home in Florida.

First of all, hardwood flooring is normally designed to be nailed into the plywood sub-flooring that is the norm up north in homes with basements. So to overcome that, a typical Florida home with a slab foundation needs a ¾” plywood subfloor installed first. This introduces installation issues in an existing home in order to allow molding and doors to have sufficient clearance once the hardwood is added on top of the plywood base. That adds significantly to the cost of the installation.

Secondly, is the moisture issue in humid Florida. To overcome this, several layers of moisture barring products must be sandwiched between the cement slab, and the sub-floor adding additional cost.

Would any of you care to explain how your hardwood floors were installed here in TV?

The hard wood floors you describe we had in all our earlier homes in Vermont, with basements.

My question: What is a floating wood floor?

WE have a room in Vermont that is on a cement slab.........our carpenter told us that he could install "floating wood floors" right on the cement?

Would that be laminate floor? That would be a layer of wood over some man made composite board beneath it????? I'd also like to hear how they put the wood floors onto the cement in Florida.

This particular room is the cellar, so no basement below it.....it's a daylight basement....half in the ground.......due to sloping of the hilly property. It's presently carpeted.

[laryb]

Was told about this product during a recent visit to Lumber Liquidators. You can use standard tongue and groove hard wood over this. You would glue the seams together, and the gripping quality of the underlayment keeps the flooring still. That would be a floating hardwood floor.
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7504&categoryId=513&&nonFlooring=1

[senior citizen]

Was told about this product during a recent visit to Lumber Liquidators. You can use standard tongue and groove hard wood over this. You would glue the seams together, and the gripping quality of the underlayment keeps the flooring still. That would be a floating hardwood floor.
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=7504&categoryId=513&&nonFlooring=1

Thankyou for the link. That must be what our carpenter was talking about.
I believe our next door friends and neighbors did the same thing with a cherry wood "floating wood floor". They told me they couldn't walk on it or put furniture on it for three days??? The reason so many of our tri level homes up here have cement slabs is that they couldn't dig for cellars due to the ledge....and lots of boulders under the ground..........at the time, dynamiting was not allowed.........although some homes above us did have their basements dynamited. Vermont has very rocky soil with a lot of ledge.
Everything on this road is sloping.......either high up in the back....very hilly...or on the other side of the street, sloping downward in the back.
Hard to explain. So.......the homes are built "into the hill".....this one happens to be a tri level with hilly front lawn and hilly back yard and side yards.............now I know what a floating wood floor is. Thankyou.

[laryb]

Thankyou for the link. That must be what our carpenter was talking about.
I believe our next door friends and neighbors did the same thing with a cherry wood "floating wood floor". They told me they couldn't walk on it or put furniture on it for three days??? The reason so many of our tri level homes up here have cement slabs is that they couldn't dig for cellars due to the ledge....and lots of boulders under the ground..........at the time, dynamiting was not allowed.........although some homes above us did have their basements dynamited. Vermont has very rocky soil with a lot of ledge.
Everything on this road is sloping.......either high up in the back....very hilly...or on the other side of the street, sloping downward in the back.
Hard to explain. So.......the homes are built "into the hill".....this one happens to be a tri level with hilly front lawn and hilly back yard and side yards.............now I know what a floating wood floor is. Thankyou.

A floating floor can also include laminate and engineered floors. Personally, I like the engineered floors with their real wood surface and their man made backing. Here's one we liked:
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5594

[Uptown Girl]

Sounds great. Thanks....I just wrote it down for our next shopping trip.
P.S.
In talking to a friend today, I was told they sold the formula to another company a few years ago (my, but my can has lasted a long time!) and it is now known as "No Streek Glass Wax". It is sold in a plastic bottle and is yellow, but otherwise is the same formula. My friend ordered it online, but says that some Ace Hardware stores carry it.
Just thought I'd add this, so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to find it!

[angiefox10]

I'll wait till I can buy it at the store....

They want 7.50 to ship it!!!! :D

[Villager Since April 2009]

In my kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room I have squares of vinyl tile that were installed by Village Flooring. They look just like "real" tile. They installed them with rubber grout between the tiles. The grout is easy to clean and looks brand new after two years. There are many styles to choose from and it's also available in planks that resemble wood. I wish I had used these tiles in the rest of the house.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I'll wait till I can buy it at the store....

They want 7.50 to ship it!!!! :D

Available on Amazon - free shipping if your total order is over $25:

http://www.amazon.com/Industries-NS-8-8OZ-Glass-Polish/dp/B000IO8GWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311126855&sr=8-1


Bill :)

[senior citizen]

A floating floor can also include laminate and engineered floors. Personally, I like the engineered floors with their real wood surface and their man made backing. Here's one we liked:
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5594

Very very nice indeed. Will make the room look beautiful.

Thanks for explaining how the entire flooring "system" works.

[senior citizen]

In my kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room I have squares of vinyl tile that were installed by Village Flooring. They look just like "real" tile. They installed them with rubber grout between the tiles. The grout is easy to clean and looks brand new after two years. There are many styles to choose from and it's also available in planks that resemble wood. I wish I had used these tiles in the rest of the house.

Another good option. Our daughter has them in northern Vermont and claims they are easy to maintain. Hers actually came with a two story modular Colonial home (in the bathrooms and in the mud room)....Thanks.....

[senior citizen]

P.S.
In talking to a friend today, I was told they sold the formula to another company a few years ago (my, but my can has lasted a long time!) and it is now known as "No Streek Glass Wax". It is sold in a plastic bottle and is yellow, but otherwise is the same formula. My friend ordered it online, but says that some Ace Hardware stores carry it.
Just thought I'd add this, so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to find it!


I found something similar at Amazon.com

Thanks for the update........appreciate it.

[senior citizen]

Go to Amazon.com and type in glass wax under "Home"
It will bring you to this site. It didn't copy and paste very well.....
but seemed like the same thing...mentioned the stencils, etc.

Home > Home Solutions > All Home Solutions Products > Window Glass Wax



Old Fashioned Glass Wax
Clean & Decorate Windows

Window Glass Wax

Item# 411006

Regular price: $17.95

Sale: $14.99, 3/$30.00

Availability: Usually ships the next business day
Quantity: .

Product Description

Remember Glass Wax? Our Window Wax formula brings the same results as Glass Wax from yesteryear! For sparkling clean windows, mirrors, chrome and more, simply dab on Glass Wax, rub and let dry. Use a dry cloth to remove, and you are left with a streak-free shine. When the sun shines through, you’ll see the crystal clear, ultra clean, streak-free windows you’ve always hoped for. Use Window Glass Wax to decorate windows for the holidays, or any time. Apply a small amount of Glass Wax over stencils, rub, then remove stencil and let dry. It’s Easy! To remove, simply use a dry cloth. Hint – Flour Sack Towels, sold below, are perfect for cleaning windows and useful for many household tasks. Window Glass Wax plastic bottles contain 12 ounces each. Buy 3 for the price of 2!.

Palm Springs CA
I was very disappointed to learn that Glass Wax had been discontinued, and then I found Window Glass Wax on the internet. Couldn’t be happier--nothing works like it for a streak free windshield as well as all the chrome on my Harley-Davidson--



West Hartford, CT
Window Glass Wax is great--just like in the old days. My 100-year old panes sparkle.



PRODUCT CATEGORIES
Clearance Outlet
As Seen On TV

[mrdarcy]

I had a floor of floating engineered wood installed over concrete in my basement for my mother who lived with me until she died at age 84. I used engineered wood because it has less of a tendency to buckle in humidity owing to man-made backing. I had the installer put it in as floating, as opposed to glued down, because floating is a bit more "springy". When my mom fell down on occasion she never injured herself because the floating engineered wood was resilient enough to absorb the energy of the fall. The engineered wood is about as expensive as real wood. I loved this flooring (and I loved my mom).

[getdul981]

Could be you are correct about only cleaning with water.
I had been using a Swiffer with their cleaning detergent bottles.
Since I've been using strictly tap water / steam......it's much cleaner.
Unfortunately, we never had the grout sealed. Our tile guy never even mentioned it.......whereas, in N.J. our cousins sealed all their grout.

The bathroom tile does not get as soiled, except for the shower stall.
We should never have tiled the shower.....but it was in vogue at the time, a few years back. Also should never have bought glass shower doors.
Does anyone know a quick cleaning trick for the glass doors? They are beautiful etched glass with roses and vines.......but we have HARD WATER up here in Vermont and no water softener......so soap scum doesn't take long to build up. THANKS................P.S. THE BEST SHOWER FLOOR WE'VE EVER SEEN WAS LAST SUMMER IN TABERNASH COLORADO AT THE DEVILS THUMB RESORT RANCH.......ALL THE SHOWER FLOORS HAD RIVER STONES........LIKE PEBBLES TO WALK ON.....BUT VERY NICE AND NON SLIPPERY....HUGE GLASS SHOWERS.........AND SOAKING TUBS IN ALL THE ROOMS. WE HAD NEVER SEEN RIVER STONES BEFORE.........they were various shades of grey.

Lime Away

[senior citizen]

Lime Away



Will try it. Thanks....

[senior citizen]

I had a floor of floating engineered wood installed over concrete in my basement for my mother who lived with me until she died at age 84. I used engineered wood because it has less of a tendency to buckle in humidity owing to man-made backing. I had the installer put it in as floating, as opposed to glued down, because floating is a bit more "springy". When my mom fell down on occasion she never injured herself because the floating engineered wood was resilient enough to absorb the energy of the fall. The engineered wood is about as expensive as real wood. I loved this flooring (and I loved my mom).

Good to know. I totally now understand what my carpenter meant by floating wood floor....thanks to all of you.

Also, that was very considerate of you to be so understanding of your elderly mom's frailities with the falling, etc.

Been there, done that for my own mom, who passed at age 91.

[senior citizen]

P.S.
In talking to a friend today, I was told they sold the formula to another company a few years ago (my, but my can has lasted a long time!) and it is now known as "No Streek Glass Wax". It is sold in a plastic bottle and is yellow, but otherwise is the same formula. My friend ordered it online, but says that some Ace Hardware stores carry it.
Just thought I'd add this, so you don't drive yourself crazy trying to find it!

I always look first on Amazon.com.......as our hardware stores are limited here in town. Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[senior citizen]

I'll wait till I can buy it at the store....

They want 7.50 to ship it!!!! :D

If you find certain things at amazon.com.......you can get free super saver shipping.
Unless you want it overnight or the next day.

[Dgreenbucks]

My wife and I have always preferred tile, primarily for ease of maintenance. We currently have a beautiful hardwood floor, it looks great when it is swept and mopped, but the dark floor combined with our white haired dog makes upkeep very difficult.

We are closing on a resale home next month and while the current owner has just put in brand new caprpeting, my wife decided it has to go so she has already made arrangements to have tile installed post-closing and prior to the moving truck's arrival.

As an aside (and not meaning to hijack this thread), does anyone know who we can donate the to once we have it removed? My immediate thought is Habitat For Hummanity, but I wasn't sure if they had a Habitat group near TV

Yes, TV has Habitat, or you might consider binding it for rugs. They do binding at the Marion Flea Market.

[caseylou5]

My choice would be hardwood in all rooms except the bathroom. I now have rugs and vinyl and do not like it at all.

When I can i will replace the rugs in the kitche, LR and DR with hardwood. I don't mind the rugs in the bedrooms.

[caseylou5]

Very nice!

[justanormalgirl]

We currently have 3/4" thick solid oak hardwood floors in the entire house except for marble tile in both bathrooms. We have a 10 by 12 area rug in the living room and smaller rugs where they are needed. I like carpet but we have 3 little dogs and it seems that, no matter what quality carpet/pad you buy nowdays, it wears out so quick that it needs replaced way too often. With Oak floors I can redecorate simply by getting new rugs!

[senior citizen]

We currently have 3/4" thick solid oak hardwood floors in the entire house except for marble tile in both bathrooms. We have a 10 by 12 area rug in the living room and smaller rugs where they are needed. I like carpet but we have 3 little dogs and it seems that, no matter what quality carpet/pad you buy nowdays, it wears out so quick that it needs replaced way too often. With Oak floors I can redecorate simply by getting new rugs!

The area rugs make sense as an option.....along with the oak floors which certainly must be beautiful. We were just discussing , ourselves, getting area rugs if and when we install the floating wood floors. Actually saw a segment last evening on HGTV on Direct TV where they installed the floating wood floors in a basement apartment which a home owner in Canada was converting to income property..........turned out beautifully and cut her mortgage payment in half.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful flooring ideas, options and their own favorites.......appreciate it.

[justanormalgirl]

Is there a reason why you would use/choose a floating floor over real wood? Does it make a difference in the Florida climate? We had a floating floor in one of our homes and we hated it for sooo many reasons!

1. It was hard to keep clean and you had to dry it after mopping or it would streak.
2. The floors were cold.
3. They were noisy, every sound was magnified.

Although, the floors in that house weren't level so the 'floating' floor did help with that :)

When we bought this home we had all of the carpet removed and had real, solid oak floors installed. We love them! When we got the area rug we went to the carpet store and bought a piece of the soft back carpet (not foam back and not traditional jute back) and had it bound. With the soft back carpet/rugs you don't need a pad under an area rug, the soft back is made for use over hardwood.

[senior citizen]

Is there a reason why you would use/choose a floating floor over real wood? Does it make a difference in the Florida climate? We had a floating floor in one of our homes and we hated it for sooo many reasons!

1. It was hard to keep clean and you had to dry it after mopping or it would streak.
2. The floors were cold.
3. They were noisy, every sound was magnified.

Although, the floors in that house weren't level so the 'floating' floor did help with that :)

When we bought this home we had all of the carpet removed and had real, solid oak floors installed. We love them! When we got the area rug we went to the carpet store and bought a piece of the soft back carpet (not foam back and not traditional jute back) and had it bound. With the soft back carpet/rugs you don't need a pad under an area rug, the soft back is made for use over hardwood.

No no no.....we haven't even purchased a home in TV yet. If you read the earlier threads, I was asking about the pros and cons of various type wood flooring and if they install it in a newly purchased TV home, etc.

In other words, do the "packages" have options as to flooring.

I mentioned that our carpenter, here in VERMONT, had suggested putting a floating wood floor down for us.........we have a tri level and in this lower level which is a daylight basement (house is built to accomodate the hillside).

They couldn't dynamite out a cellar hole as there is so much boulder and ledge under the earth up here........so they put down cement slabs.

Our carpenter who is also a home builder, tile installer, etc........suggested a floating wood floor.........which we recently finally did see and understand the 'soft layer" put beneath right onto the cement /concrete.....then the wood or laminate...whichever someone chose.....is put down WITH NO NAILS.

It doesn't raise the floor as much as if we had wood put down and the new floor nailed to the wood.

Supposedly, it's also softer and "gives a little" and is good for humid places such as basements or Florida homes which are built on a slab with no cellar beneath.............we aren't doing anything yet.

Our home is carpeted and tiled (tiled in kitchen and 3 bathrooms), carpeted in living room, dining room, three bedrooms, family room......two stairwells and three hallways.....foyer.

Foyer is a long story.....it's a 20 foot foyer and very nice.......tile would have been perfect.......but we moved back here from our condo on the beach in Venice, Florida where I had tiled not only the foyer, the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the two balconies, one facing the beach and sand.......the other facing the esplanade and waterway in the front............so coming back here after 4 months, with my mom with Alzheimers, my hubby and I just carpeted the entire house......I was all decorated out.

We had other concerns such as my mom's "wandering", confusion, etc.

The Venice tile was beautiful....we did it like a small chapel we saw in Nokomis, Florida.......pale grey and rose colored slate on the balconies and a pale peach in the kitchen and bathrooms......beige berber in the living room and bedrooms............we actually moved back to Vermont with all our Florida furniture...........16 years ago. Our adult kids wish we'd tear out all our carpeting and replace with wood floors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wood is "in"....for sure.