We currently have vinly tile in our tiny kitchen. We want to upgrade but want something that looks nice and is easy to install. What would you recommend (not wood)? Also, would we have to take up the vinyl floor tiles or install on top of it?
Doc is right as usual-stop that Doc! :) I have installed a lot of Bamboo lately-I really like it. However, you said not wood-not sure if that includes laminates. When I approach an installation with existing vinyl, my first question is what is the vinyl adhered to? If it is on particleboard or plywood, I remove the vinyl and the substrate. If it is adhered to concrete or floor boards, I prefer to add bracing from underneath and screw the boards (through the vinyl) into the joists/braces to make the floor ridgid. Ceramic, Porcelain, Slate, Terra Cotta are all options other than wood, but require more skill (sounds like you will be installing) than laminates or floating hardwood.
When you lay tile you have to start in the middle of the room or else the corners won't correspond. The wall seem straight but they are not. Remember, I told you.
I once had a laminate flooring installed in my kitchen. It was about 16 square and looked like terra cotta tile. It was shaded where the grout was printed on the laminate. So, it looked like real tile. When they installed it, they didn't remove any of the old flooring. They just lay a sheet of thin foam rubber backing and installed the laminate squares (they had a tongue-and-groove interlocking). It came out great and cost about $6 a square foot installed. But, it's easy enough to do yourself. A friend of mine does tile and couldn't believe it wasn't real tile (he had to actually feel it to prove it to himself).
you can lay vinyl peel and stick tiles on top of your existing sheet vinyl if your sheet vinyl is in good condition and stuck down well, you can apply a skimcoat of feathering patch on top of the vinyl they sell an epoxy additive instead of water to mix with so that you have good adhesion to the sheet vinyl I bought my peel and stick tiles at Lowes along with the skimcoat mix. Tiles were roughly $1 a piece and look much better than the sheet vinyl. I liked Lowes selection of tiles better than Menards and Home Depot. I redid two bathrooms, front entry way and kitchen this summer
Without knowing exactly how you define upgrade; I suspect more vinyl wouldn't be. While some might enjoy hardwoods or laminates for a kitchen; I personally don't. After doing many various floors and installing multiple thousands of sq. ft. of tile and other substances; this is pretty much a choice you have to make. If you went with wood or laminate you might be OK leaving old flooring; though If I was contracted to do a job as such; I might turn it down. Most especially with vinyl tiles; I'd remove them or install concrete backer board/ a new sub floor over; removing any cove base molding to replace later. You'll get many various opinions here; and your options should be weighed using various factors. For one thing the kitchen; while it should be aesthetically pleasing; is pretty much a utilitarian room. Usual ceramic or Porcelain tile will last a lifetime with proper care; but will also be a cause for broken glasses or dishes if dropped. Certainly wood or laminates might as well. More Vinyl; be it sheet or tile would be an inexpensive way to go; and the patterns and colors are vast. Easy is a relative word; but I'd be happy to walk you through any substance and process. I like Pauls suggestion; and have samples of it; but I'm not sure of it's proven durability. Similarly I like Pergo; in a patchwork but again; it's a laminate. Actually the most durable wood flooring/ laminate I've found; is bamboo (no it doesn't look like stalks laid on the floor) You might also consider the rooms use in a general sense; how the balance of the room is decorated/accesorized; etc. Steven Wolf
