Flooring Choice for new construction
 

We are meeting with the Design Center in September and will be building an Aspen. Our original choice was to go with hardwood flooring. I have been told by several people that this type of flooring can be slippery. This scares me since my wife walks with use of a walker. Any feedback from people that have hardwood would be appreciated. If this is a valid concern, we will end up switching to tile. Thanks.

Hello, We have both tile and hardwood. Tile in the kitchen, foyer, baths and hall and hardwood elsewhere. The tile can be VERY slippery if it has any amount of water on it. I know first hand as I fell in the foyer on a small amount of water that was on the floor that I didn't see. Luckly I was OK but really shook up casue my feet went everywhere and had a hard time getting up. Tile in the showers is rougher and not slippery. In my opinion the hardwood would not be as slippery. You might also consider that tile is a very hard surface and is not as resilient as hardwood so is harder on your joints. We stayed in an all tile home during our LSV and my legs hurt the whole time. You might want to ask your designer about other flooring options. Saw some really nice vinyl and laminant (?) flooring in some newly built patio villas and cottages. Hope this helps and good luck.

The hardwood hasn't seemed to be slippery, but it is not cushiony either. It sure is purty.

Slippery depends on what you have on your feet. Barefoot or rubber soles are OK. Socks, not so much.

:agree: Socks alone are downright dangerous!

Correct Gracie!
 

Little bit of water on my tile or hard woods and I can replicate Tom Cruise Dance Scene in the movie Risky Business sliding out across our floors singing " That old time Rock and Roll!"

My wife moves from Oriential Rug to Oriential Rug.

I miss my old wood floors above a cellar. They seemed to give and be less hard on the feet.

Especially if that is all you are wearing to go get The Daily Sun in your driveway early in the morning when no one is watching...........


Just sayin' and Boy Howdy .

Keep in mind that floor tile comes is non-slip designs as well as the very smooth.

Socks alone are downright dangerous!
 

I noticed you wrote this at 5:05AM. Are you trying to tell us something? :shrug: :1rotfl:

Or, are you peeking out the front window at neighbors in their 'socks alone' ? :laugh:

I have to protect my sources. ;)

My last 4 homes in S. Florida had tile floors and they were like ice when wet. Especially for people coming in from the pool to use the bathroom. I also hated how dirty the grout got in traffic areas. I've got vinyl now and love it. Now-a-days vinyl looks great and no maintaince.

Wouldn't hardwood floors be like a smorgasbord for termites?

We didn't buy new, so don't know what your options are, but we just closed on a pre-owned and are having the carpet replaced with vinyl planking (looks like hardwood, but softer and doesn't have the "click" of laminate as we have two dogs) and going with a vinyl tile (warmer than real tile) in the kitchen, foyer and bathrooms. We didn't ask specifically about being slippery, but they are aware MIL is coming and that she uses a walker.

Any flooring store near you should be able to show you samples of both. Go with Armstrong if you can, but not a big difference in brands. Since you won't be buying from them, they may give you an honest opinion! :laugh:

The vinyl tile we went with has a different grout than regular tile and doesn't absorb stains from spills, etc., like regular grout. Also it doesn't have to be "sealed" like tile grout. Plus the vinyl tile is SO much warmer than regular tile, which sold me! :laugh:

Pine is their favorite meal unless it's pressure treated. I'm not sure hardwood today is really wood. Some just look like wood.

JGBama
 

Up North but used Dura Ceramic tile....is that what you are referring to? We LOVE our floors, not so hard or so cold but DO look like stone. Georgous!

I have the hardwood and retgret it. It is constantly dusty and I have to dust it everyday. Plus the Villages recommends only 1 product, (spray bottle) and 1 wax to use on it. They say it is not like the hardwood up north, but it is treated with something that helps seal out the moisture. It also scratches easily, and you dont get a lot choices , besides differant shades of color I was only shown the plank style. I would not get it again if had the chance to do it over again. I have only been here a few months. They also do not recomnmend a swifter or wet steam of any kind.

John R U saying this product doesn't look like standard vinyl tiles or VCT?

How tick R they? how are they attached to the slab, spaced and grouted.

Please elaborate.

Most of these homes have only 400-700 sq' excluding bedrooms so depending on cost of vinyl v tile it should be dirt cheap & quick to install.

Actually the vinyl I was referring to is not a tile, but flooring and has no grout. I've visited models that had vinyl that I swore was real wood or tile until I actually bent over and felt it. You're right, it doesn't get cold like tile.
Also another big plus is it doesn't chip when something drops on it and it will happen in the most obvious places.