If you were buying a older home that was updated would you rather see tile or hardwood in the kitchen area?

Question

I'm trying to see which would be more appealing to a home buyer.
I would also be laying the tile or hardwood in an ajoining eat-in area that was originally sopose to be a family room. It has a fireplace and french doors. Tile or Hardwood? Opinions Please and Thank You.

When I say tile just to clarify I mean ceramic tile.

Answer 1

i would probably choose hardwood in this instance. much more forgiving for the clumsy chef or diners than a hard tile floor. however, if maintenance might be an issue (muddy yard area outside "family room," easy clean up for kitchen spills...) tile might be a better choice.

and, looking at it from the "green" standpoint, tile is the best choice since ceramics and clay are renewable resources and trees must die for wood flooring. if you are selling in a market of green-friendly buyers, another option would be a cork or bamboo floor. nice to look at, unusual and again, naturally renewable sources.

Answer 2

well i bought a 1920s home last year, all with original hardwoods and the kitchen was updated, but the floors were still there. at first i loved it; the floors definately had a part in my buying the house. but now that i'm living in the house, i'd rather have tile. the hardwood is not practical in the kitchen, especially in a family home with kids and pets and homeowners who don't have time to properly care for a wood floor in the kitchen.

my suggestion would be hardwood in the eating area, if it wouldn't look wierd having different flooring than the kitchen. this will leave options open for the new homeowner, whether they want to use that area as an eat-in, or a family room. no one wants tile in a family room. also, instead of ceramic, maybe choose a travertine. you can get it for $1.50-$7 a sq. foot, compared to ceramic, about $1-$6 a square foot. your potential buyers will be impressed.

Answer 3

Well if it is an older home and the hardwood is already in place I would rather see the original flooring refinished. However if the flooring is not original and you have to replace some other flooring I want to see tile rather than wood. The only time I like to see wood in a kitchen are is if it is original old school plank wood flooring that has been refinished and protected.

Answer 4

Hardwood...it gives you a huge return on your investment. Tile has a tendency to crack and it is VERY unattractive when it does. The only way to fix it is ripping it up...something the next home buyer will not like! Another idea is wood laminate. It's very easy clean up and will never require repolishing or refinishing. It is the only laminate that will increase the value of your home. Also, it works really well for high traffic areas. I'm sure it would be easier on the wallet as well.

Good luck!

Answer 5

In the kitchen? Tile! Tile is more durable than hardwood and would hold up better. Kitchen is a "heavy wear" section of the house.

I would consider doing hardwood in the breakfast nook depending on how it would look in a continuation from the kitchen.

Answer 6

I always pick hardwood- with a good finish it will last under all sorts of "oopsies." I have tile in my kichen currently and while- yeah- it's easy to take care of, I HATE IT!
#1 It KILLS your back and feet when you stand for any length of time doing prep work.
#2 Any thing that drops on it SHATTERS EVERYWHERE!

Hardwood looks clean but not hospital sterile. ANd if you are bound to do the family room the same, then DEFINITELY go for hardwood. Much warmer, much cozier, MUCH homier- and hence an easier sale.

Answer 7

Hard wood is beautiful but less practical. Tile is always best in the kitchen. Wood buckles when wet. You constantly have to watch what you are doing. I have hardwood in the room where my fireplace. If you ever drop logs, which I have, you have really nice dents and scratches. After a while, you wish for Tile. Go with tile, you will not regret it.

Answer 8

In my opinion I would go with hardwood through out the eatery area. It looks awesome if you have matching trim,base boards,casing,doors, and cabinets.
If all of the above mentioned is painted...then go with the floor tile for sure. But use the 2ft. x 2ft. cobble stone looking tiles.... It's an awesome appearance.
I paint luxury homes for a living and this seems to be the trend.

Answer 9

I say tile only because it would be easier to clean. The finish on hardwood may get ruined by hot things like grease getting spilled on them.

Answer 10

Hardwood.