Scroll to Pictures
The vinyl flooring has been installed. It is illustrated
here for consistency with the rest of the kitchen remodeling pictures.
We decided on vinyl flooring because ceramic floor
tile is difficult to clean at the grout. A hardwood flooring was out because
the rest of the house is done in hardwood flooring. Plus, along with the cabinets,
it might be too much wood for a kitchen. Laminate flooring seemed like moister
could get in between the pieces, and we just didn't trust the idea.
We had seen some vinyl flooring which looked amazingly
like real ceramic floor tile, marble floor tile, and other natural stone tiles.
We just needed to find the right one.
We found some amazing patterns. Manufacturers have
a photographic process that gets applied to vinyl floor. Even grass mats,
bamboo, and bricks were realistically represented.
In choosing the vinyl flooring, we went to all the
local flooring companies, and looked at all the same 90% of samples at each
store without finding anything too exciting. Finally, at one company, we found
an exclusive premium Mannington vinyl floor.
We took home the sample and a few others just for due
diligence, and scattered them around the floor. It took about 5 seconds to
proclaim the winner - the premium Mannington flooring - the Landscapes model
- Hooray, we had our flooring picked out.
When placing the order, we had the option of a seamless
installation. One single vinyl peace could be used in this long galley way
kitchen and dining room. Costing only a little more, we went with this option
for benefit of seamless installation. We also needed kick boards around the
perimeter of the attached dining room. Our vendor gave us the option of buying
and painting the kick board ourselves and they would cut and install the it.
This was a great option since I don't seem to be too competent at installing
kick board.
The measurement guy came by, to take down all the numbers,
and surveyed for any special requirements or problem areas. We talked about
whether to remove the old floor or not. Removal of the old floor would require
all new sub-flooring boards at considerable cost. Since he advised it was
ok to leave the old floor in place, we opted for the savings.
The installation date arrived and the installers showed
up on time. They were personable and well spoken. That helps in the confidence
and communication department - that they understand what is to be done, and
the special instructions such as the seamless install, and kick boards.
The installers moved everything out of the area, prepared
the old flooring, and laid out the pattern for the single piece installation.
It took most of the day, but they did a great job. Even the kick board was
installed using mitered corners far better than I could have done using my
crummy hand miter and un-flat walls and floor.
The installers didn't damage a thing either. Not the
painted walls, or the kitchen cabinet refacing. Even the wood molding around
the our newly refaced cabinets were replaced looking like the original install.
It really looks great. People are surprised to learn it's not ceramic floor
tile, it's vinyl flooring!.
Our dog slobbers her water all over the floor. Add
in two cats, and you can imagine the mess. Let me tell you, this floor does
not show the dirt at all! Our previous floor showed every little smudge. But
not this floor. I cannot express how well it hides dirt. That's not to say
it doesn't need mopping now and then, but that's the cleaners job to worry
about.
Pictures:
|
