Tile Flooring

[tasty]

I know the subject of flooring comes up from time to time and we've been through carpet, Pergo, laminate, and hardwoods. There are pluses and minuses for each, but I think tile will work best for us. The problem with tile is the price. "Fortunately", our dishwasher imploded and Whirlpool gave us a $5K head start. Still, the first price we got for 700 sq. ft. was $20K. That's at least $5K too much for us. Anyone have experience with tile flooring at a decent price with reputable installers? BTW, there are some really nice wood patterns that look like the real thing as we have wood throughout the house.

[Emi2]

we have just finished replacing our whole upstairs flooring (previously pine floor) with porcelain tile, my husband did the work but even still it cost around 12,000 between tile, mortar, etc.
However, we love it - much more durable, super easy to clean and nice and bright. I suppose it can be cold/hard, but nothing slippers cant fix - I plan on keeping a box of knitted bootie type slippers in various sizes near the door for guests.

[Oldtimer]

I don't know where you are at or what your level of injury is but my wife and I bought and installed our own, over 1500 sq. ft. This was back in 98 and we saved 8K. 20K sounds like a lot for the footage, of course all prices keep going up. Anyway, we don't regret it and it still looks like the day it was put in. Good luck.

[Mombo]

When my son bought his house, we ripped out all the carpet and vinyl flooring right down to the concrete slab ( we are in California and most houses are built on slabs). Then we stained the concrete and sealed it with low gloss verathayne. It's beautiful. Lots of compliments and super easy to maintain! Oh, and very inexpensive!

[JenJen]

I acid washed my concrete in my last house (I was still able-bodied) it was durable, low-maintenance and beautiful. Now I have slate floors. Much less expensive than most tile. AND, because it's stone all the way through, chips and cracks are not an issue, just part of the rugged beauty.

[gjnl]

Not all tile is created equal. Porcelain tile, like stone is the same all the way through and it can be laid up without large grout seams. Ceramic tiles are not as durable because you can chip and scratch through the glazes.

We have porcelain tile in two of our bathrooms. In both cases, we put in tiles with slip resistant finishes. They are smooth, but not glossy.

$20K sounds like a hefty price for 700 square feet. Get a couple more bids.

All the best,
GJ

[marmalady]

we ordered tile on line, and even with the freight charges (and some ship free), it was cheaper than buying locally. We hired a tile guy to do the installation.

[MSspouse]

... Still, the first price we got for 700 sq. ft. was $20K...

That's over $28 / sq. ft. You can buy complete houses in many parts of the country for that.

Solid porcelain is a waste indoors or for the 99%. Crack durability is more a factor of the underlayment than the tile. If you are going glazed then chip resistance is no different. I put a quality $3 ceramic in my kitchen. I've snapped 2 Henkels steak knives dropping them on the floor without leaving even a pin-prick in the glaze. Had the same tile in the last house and a large stainless/aluminum clad stock pot put only a tiny nick and a very large dent in the pot. Absolutely no way you should pay more than $10 / sq. ft. installed.

[swh2007]

I know the subject of flooring comes up from time to time and we've been through carpet, Pergo, laminate, and hardwoods. There are pluses and minuses for each, but I think tile will work best for us. The problem with tile is the price. "Fortunately", our dishwasher imploded and Whirlpool gave us a $5K head start. Still, the first price we got for 700 sq. ft. was $20K. That's at least $5K too much for us. Anyone have experience with tile flooring at a decent price with reputable installers? BTW, there are some really nice wood patterns that look like the real thing as we have wood throughout the house.

I paid about $9.50 per sq. foot, installed, for some really nice tile floors about this time last year. I got a referral from a contractor friend to a tile liquidator store. $7500 or something like that for 800 sq ft.

Sorry for your troubles.

[Sue Pendleton]

We just did one last room that was about 140 square feet with a high grade porcelin that feels and looks like real stone and was done by a true expert (he wins awards at NARI shows). It came to about $1400 and that included the tile. I'd say the wood looking ceramics would be about the same cost as the stone like ones we bought. If we can ever swing a small place somewhere warm for winters I'd go for the wood looks. They really are cool. Get several bids and check the person or firm's references. Or subscribe to Angie's list.

[Agata]

That is over $28 per sq.ft WOW!
The must quoted you with some nice granite or marble tile that cost $7-12/piece ( 12'x12' ) Did they include new cabinets or something? Otherwise sounds way overpriced.
Where I live(NW FL) stone installation starts at $5-7/sq.ft. Porcelain and ceramic tile is even cheaper to install. Of course removal of existing flooring, newbacker board etc can addup to another $5/foot, but besides thinset and grout that will run you $1/foot all you need is pick your tile , which again at HD stone ( travertine) costs under $3/foot ( 18x18 tile ) or attractive porcelain tile at $3-5/foot.
I mean you are talking about $12-$15/sq.ft for top of the line installation including old floor removal and nice quality new tile.

I know the subject of flooring comes up from time to time and we've been through carpet, Pergo, laminate, and hardwoods. There are pluses and minuses for each, but I think tile will work best for us. The problem with tile is the price. "Fortunately", our dishwasher imploded and Whirlpool gave us a $5K head start. Still, the first price we got for 700 sq. ft. was $20K. That's at least $5K too much for us. Anyone have experience with tile flooring at a decent price with reputable installers? BTW, there are some really nice wood patterns that look like the real thing as we have wood throughout the house.

[wjames]

For the tile flooring we use many tiles like limestone tiles,porcelain tiles,ceramic tiles and marble tiles but limestone tiles are best for flooring.

[willingtocope]

For what its worth, we bought this house before walking became difficult for me. i still get around with a walker, but barefoot. The grout lines in our porcelin tile continually cut my feet as I slip/slide around. (Of course, the previous owner was a do-it-yourselfer, and grouting / leveling was not his speciality.