[PR1234]

We've been in the process of looking for a new home. SO many of the homes have that awful ceramic tile in the entire home. WHY??? As many homes as we have looked at, I've never seen one of those houses that looks warm and inviting....even with rugs on them. I understand having it in the kitchen and baths, but the entire house...UGH!
My question....what do we have to do to put other flooring down? Does that have to be jack hammered up first?

[elizabeth52]

Everyone's taste is different. I actually prefer all tile or wood. It is Florida and tile is so much cooler than carpeting!

[TNLAKEPANDA]

In the winter all that tile flooring makes the house very cold. Hard wood is much warmer. Carpet is ok if it is good quality. They put more tile so they can charge more and you end up paying double for the tile work.

[perrjojo]

Why tile? Because the gritty Florida sand will settle in your carpet and scratch up your hard wood. Why not tile? It's just a matter of personal preference and tile is very popular in Florida.

[Miles42]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like the tile look.

[ahayward65]

Tell your salesperson you do not want a house with tile, not sure if any come with wood floors but at least with carpeting it will be easier to put in the floor of your choice. You could also look at preowned that have upgraded their flooring already. Many advantages to a preowned home.

[PR1234]

Originally Posted by TNLAKEPANDA

In the winter all that tile flooring makes the house very cold. Hard wood is much warmer. Carpet is ok if it is good quality. They put more tile so they can charge more and you end up paying double for the tile work.

I SO agree!!! Not trying to offend anyone and I do realize some people have allergies, but it's not like we are at the beach here or anything!

We would like hardwood and good carpet, and know we will probably have to put in ourselves. Just trying to figure out what the process is to do that over ceramic?

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by PR1234

We've been in the process of looking for a new home. SO many of the homes have that awful ceramic tile in the entire home. WHY??? As many homes as we have looked at, I've never seen one of those houses that looks warm and inviting....even with rugs on them. I understand having it in the kitchen and baths, but the entire house...UGH!
My question....what do we have to do to put other flooring down? Does that have to be jack hammered up first?

So true!!! Even the hospital rooms here are more inviting and residential looking, as they have warm-colored wood laminate flooring!

[cquick]

I actually requested the same tile throughout my whole house. I have no "transition" bumps and I just love the "Florida" look of my house. We do have a couple room size rugs, but I like the easy clean of all tile.

[kstew43]

I actually perfer tile......that being said......some of the color choices on the new spec's had to have been on a special buy....because they are just awefull.....

and lets talk granite.......what were they thinking using those colors in the kitchens......

I'm not that picky but.....wow...... some homes are just way out there and i don't think will appeal to the average buyer......... its gonna take a special buyer for those colors....

but as my mom always said.....theres a seat for every ass....

[bonrich]

Tile is sweeping, mopping, cleaning grout lines. Carpet is just run the vacuum cleaner. Hard on the feet and legs standing and walking on tile everywhere. Nothing like walking barefoot on a nice rug instead of cold hard tile. Then putting down area rugs that move and shift, something to trip over, and now you have added one more cleaning chore. Just my opinion after seeing tile and hearing comments from owners that have tile throughout.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by kstew43

.... theres a seat for every ass....

I think we may have another TOTV classic.
So many places this expression can be used.
Sort of like "Boy Howdy".

[jnieman]

I have seen on the flip this house shows on TV where they put down the laminate over the tile. I do think you should call Floormasters and check with them though. We have laminate and some tile in the kitchen. Ours is a very high quality (thick) laminate with a styrofoam coating that is a vapor barrier and helps with the sound of your heels so they don't click. I like our laminate, but not all laminate. It pays to have the higher quality laminate. You do need to keep your air conditioning on most of the time if you have laminate at least we do. Otherwise the floors get sticky and damp. Our floor is 4 years old and still shines like new and is easy to clean. With tile you do have to deal with the dirty grout lines and may need to have it professionally cleaned once or twice a year. At least that is my experience.

[Barefoot]

I see houses advertised as having "all tile throughout" as an enticement.
I find homes that have it seem to echo. Plus it's hard on knees and hips.
But obviously easy to keep clean, which is a big benefit.
Laminate or hardwood also seems easy to clean but a little warmer and more welcoming.
Ask kstew said, there's a seat for every ass!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by TNLAKEPANDA

In the winter all that tile flooring makes the house very cold. Hard wood is much warmer. Carpet is ok if it is good quality. They put more tile so they can charge more and you end up paying double for the tile work.

The carpet we had in our first home here was decent builder quality. In our second home it is top quality. We asked them to duplicate a model home when we built three years ago and the model home had a tone on tone diagonal pattern carpet. I liked both carpets and they clean well. Our first home here was built in '07.

They put more tile in spec homes because tile is very sought after. That is what a lot of people ask for here. Many people have pets and it is easier to keep clean. All tile floor is a positive selling point and you will see it advertised as such on homes for sale here.

Back home or in Tennessee hard wood is warmer because it is installed over a subfloor. Here it is installed over a barrier that is installed over the concrete slab. The up side it isn't cold very long here.

We have carpet in the bedrooms, hardwood in the great room and dining room and tile in the rest of the area. I think they use great contractors and very good products.