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@Date: 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
From: Sweet.PA
Subject:Kitchen floor survey
To: Junk^, Chefs^
Reply-to: Sweet

Our kitchen remodel project is getting to the point where we need to decide
details. One such detail is "what to put on the floor." The three leading
contenders seem to be: sheet vinyl, hardwood parquet, and ceramic tile. The
house is on a slab, which places some limits on what we can do. I vacillate
between hardwood and ceramic tile, but Janet is leaning toward sheet vinyl.
Can anyone out there make convincing arguments for one of the three surfaces,
and if you are local, could we come by and look at your floor?

Has anyone had experience with cushioned vinyl floors?

Thanks,

Dick

P.S. I also have a small restaurant stove for sale if anyone is interested.
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@Date: 24-May-82 16:13:20 PDT (Monday)
From: Becker.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet

My house has vinyl, and as soon as I get up the energy it's going to have wood parque instead.  The sufficient reason is AESTHETIC:  vinyl is hideous, wood is lovely.

Joe
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@Date: 24 May 1982 4:21 pm PDT (Monday)
From: Kennedy.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Kennedy

Experience with cushioned vinyl floors?  Yes.  Our house in Texas had
cushioned vinyl in the kitchen, garage hallway, and two of the bathrooms.  We
loved it!  We only had it four years before moving here so I don't know about
longterm use.  Never had any problems with it.  The cushion vinyl in the
kitchen was nice to stand on and many times saved glasses and china from
breaking.

When we get around to re-doing our kitchen here we are going for the cushion.

--Bill
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@Date: 24 May 1982 4:30 pm PDT (Monday)
From: Swinehart.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Swinehart

Tile!  (because I like tile.)

We looked for cushioned vinyl recently, and found that at least most lines have
been discontinued -- seams didn't stay down, or something.

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@Date: 24 May 1982 4:33 pm PDT (Monday)
From: GWilliams.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: GWilliams

Dick,

My living room and kitchen are hardwood parquet and I love it.  It is on top of a
slab and no, I am not responsible for the installation.  I bought the house that
way.

Glen

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@Date: 24 May 1982 4:52 pm PDT (Monday)
From: Watanabe.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Watanabe

Dick,

I have ceramic tile in my kitchen.  We came to this decision because the fellow
(I can get his name if you are interested) told me it would only be ~$200 more
than vinyl (of course you must take into consideration the cost of tile, he gave
me a price range in which to stay in.).  The maintenance of the floor has been,
so far, just a damp mop.  I have dropped some fairly heavy items on it with no
damage to the tiles.  I personally love the aesthetics of tile, which is the main
reason why we chose it.  I also believe it is practical and almost maintenance
free.  

Lorraine.  

  

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@Date: 24 May 1982 4:53 pm PDT (Monday)
From: Watanabe.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Watanabe

P.S.  You are welcome to stop drop to see it.  We live in Mtn. View near El
Camino Hospital.

Lorraine

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@Date: 24 May 1982 5:25 pm PDT (Monday)
From: wilcox.PA
Subject: Re: Small restaurant range for sale
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 16:19:09 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: wilcox

I'm interested in your stove - I've always wanted one of those.  Where can I
reach you?  I'm at extension 4284, bldg 37.

Jean

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@From: WC.pa
Date: 24-May-82 17:53:42 PDT
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: WC

DICK,

WILL AND NANCY CROWTHER PUT OAK PARQUET TILES DOWN LAST FALL AND I HELPED.IT WAS FAIRLY EASY TO PUT DOWN AND HAS WORN REASONABLY WELL IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

MY FEELING IN WATCHING IT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IS THAT I WOULD PUT IT ON MY FLOOR AT HOME IF I ONLY PLANNED TO LIVE THERE 1-5 YEARS. IF IT WAS A HOME WHERE I WOULD BE FOR 10-20 YEARS THEN I WOULD BITE THE BULLET AND PUT IN REAL WOOD IF I DID WOOD.

AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED YOU BOTH CAN COME SEE THE FLOOR.I WILL BE LIVING HERE TO JUNE 15TH.

ELLEN YATES*start*
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@From: Sweet.PA
Date: 24-May-82 19:58:52 PDT
Subject: Re: Small restaurant range for sale
In-reply-to: Your message of 24 May 1982 5:25 pm PDT (Monday)
To: wilcox
cc: Sweet

I'm at 4775 in bldg. 96 (right now I'm at home) Give me a call
anytime. My home phone is 321-9039 if you have trouble reaching
me.

Dick
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@From: Sweet.PA
Date: 24-May-82 20:08:22 PDT
Subject: Restaurant stores
To: Murray, WC
cc: Sweet

I am planning to make a trip to Oakland on Friday to look
at a large restaurant supply. Do you, Ellen, or Hal want
to ride along? I'm planning to leave mid morning and come
back early afternoon to try to avoid too much commute traffic.
If either of you want to go, we can work out the timing details.

Dick
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@Date: 24 May 1982 9:50 pm PDT (Monday)
From: SChen.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: SChen

Dick,

If you get any responses, would you collect and put them into a public service
directory and/or forward a copy to me? Thanks.

Sweetsun Chen

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@From: WC.pa
Date: 24-May-82 21:56:29 PDT
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: WC

WE LAID HARDWOOD PARQUET IN OUR KITCHEN AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME SEE IT.
ITS MAIN ADVANTAGE IS ITS BEAUTY.  ITS
ALSO CHEAPER THAN CERAMIC TILE, AND
EASIER TO LAY.  RESPOND TO CROWTHER
OR WC.
NANCY CROWTHER
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@Date: 25 May 1982 8:41 am EDT (Tuesday)
From: Damouth.WBST
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Sweet.PA's message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet.PA
cc: Damouth

Is the slab heated?  Ceramic tile feels very cold underfoot unless you have a
heated floor.

Ceramic tile in the kitchen has another disadvantage:  When you drop a glass or
ceramic object, it doesn't bounce, but ends up in a million pieces.  On wood or
vinyl, most pyrex, corning ware, heat-tempered glasses, etc, will bounce.  I
would also worry about some kinds of dropped food leaving semi-permanent
stains in the grout.  (Perhaps grouting with a silicone like RTV instead of the
conventional cement-based stuff would avoid this, but it's a lot harder to do a
neat job)

I have no direct experience with cushioned vinyl.  Comments I have heard are
that it develops permanent dimples from table and chair legs, spike heels, etc.,
and that it is easily damaged by moving a heavy appliance or dropping a heavy
sharp object.  I would not use it in my house.

If you go for hardwood, make sure it is stained very dark.  Otherwise it will look
ratty in a few years from water and food stains.  The one exception would be a
wood tile that is  impregnated with epoxy or other sealer rather than just surface
coated.  I'm not sure about availability.  If I really wanted wood in my own
kitchen, I would start with unfinished wood and look into the WEST (Wet Epoxy
Saturation Technique) system, used for custom wood boat building.  It is used
and marketed by Gougeon (sp?) Brothers in Bay City Michigan.  I know they
sell the special epoxy to amateur boat builders.  You can find their ads, or
articles about them,  in magazines for racing sailors.  This stuff penetrates the
wood and leaves it absolutely imprevious to water.

Have you considered carpeting?  I have friends who think it's just great for
kitchens.   They use the special washable carpeting made for bathrooms and
kitchens, and attach it with double sided tape along the edges (cut to fit
wall-to-wall).  When it gets grubby, they pick it up, throw it in a large
commerical washing machine and dryer, and tape it down again.

Solid sheet vinyl is the clear winner for practicality and low maintenence.  If
you want something sexier, then remember TANSTAAFL.

/Dave

 

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@Date: 25 May 1982 11:04 am PDT (Tuesday)
From: Quan.pa
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Quan

I have a cushioned vinyl floor that is ten years old and do not recommend them.
The main problem is at the seams. I happen to have two seams that are in a high
traffic area. The edges have lifted and the vinyl layer has torn off about 1/4".
There are also areas that heavy furniture has sat for awhile on floor coasters and
in trying to move the furniture the vinyl has puckered leaving a protrusion of
vinyl on the floor (the legs or feet cause the vinyl layer to sink into the foam
cushioning). 

I would recommend you go with Armstrong "Solarian". It is a no-wax vinyl. We
have it in our main bath and it is very easy to care for.

Ceramic is nice but it will chip if you drop something heavy on it (like a pot)
and it's expensive; and Hardwood requires alot of upkeep.

Hope this helps.

Dick

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@Date: 25 May 1982 11:06 am PDT (Tuesday)
From: Sturgis.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet

We have what I believe is a "cushioned vinyl" floor in our kitche, and have
been very happy with it.  Your welcome to come up the hill and look at it.  It is
Congoleum.  It was installed about 5 to 7 years ago.

Howard

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@Date: 25-May-82 12:31:38 PDT (Tuesday)
From: Murray.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Murray.PA

One advantage of vinyl is that you can get (if you hunt long enough) the color you like.  My parents had a scrambled egg (omlet?) pattern that was almost perfect camouflage for spilled/dropped things.

Crowthers recently redid their floor with hardwood parquet.  You might call Ellen if you want more info.

I have some friends that are (still) redoing their kitchen.  They have ceramic tile.  Bill did it himself.  I can probably arrange a demo if you want.
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@Date: 25 May 1982 3:14 pm PDT (Tuesday)
From: Wilder.PA
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: Wilder

Dick:   I've had experience with all three types of floors, and find the ceramic
hard to keep clean, and the vinyl just plain ugly.  The wood floors I had were
easy to keep clean, and very nice looking.  The kitchen sure seemed more
inviting, and if you spend a lot of time in it, that's important.  Was easy to
clean, too.  One reservation about my recommendation:  the only wood kitchen
floor I've had was in Japan, where no one wore shoes inside.  Don't know if that
would make a big difference in the kitchen in particular, though.
			Alice 

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@Date:  3-Jun-82 11:23:17 PDT (Thursday)
From: Schwartz.pa
Subject: Re: Kitchen floor survey
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 15:51:43 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet

Dick,

We have Armstrong Solarian embossed, cushioned, no-wax vinyl.  Gail says if she had it to do again, she'd put in hardwood parquet.  The main problem with the embossed vinyl is that it is hard to keep clean.  It also is subject to cuts from dropped knives, etc, and such cuts accumulate dirt too.

Victor
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@Date: 7 June 1982 9:00 am PDT (Monday)
From: VanKort.PA
Subject: Re: Small restaurant range for sale
In-reply-to: Your message of 24-May-82 16:19:09 PDT (Monday)
To: Sweet
cc: VanKort

Sorry we couldn't talk much on Friday, I talked to my wife about the stove and
she loves it, however, we can't buy it due to the price.  It is significantly out of
our budget range.  Sorry to have wasted your time.

	,jan

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