On Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:32:06 -0500, "Jean B." > wrote:

>Well, it looks like I am buying a house. Before we move in, I am
>replacing the floors (now plywood and either linoleum or
>wall-to-wall carpet). Most of the floors will be hardwood, but
>I'd like to see the conclusions that folks have come to about
>flooring in the kitchen. Thanks!

I love hardwood flooring, real hardwood, not that fake Pergo laminate
crap. Except for my main bathroom every floor in my house is
hardwood. All the bedrooms, living room, hallways, even inside all
closets were white oak when I moved in. My kitchen, dining area, and
laundry room floors were covered with awful green vinyl tiles... had
Brazilian cherry installed over all that, I love it... looks terrific
and is super easy to care for. You never wash hardwood floors, and
with the new finishes there is no reason to ever wax a hardwood
floor... once a week a quick vacuuming and an easy peasy once over
with the Bonakemi hardwood floor care system:
http://www.mybonahome.com/Home.aspx

I had hard tiles installed in my last kitchen, never realized how much
I'd grow to hate it; was cold, noisy, hard on the feet, was difficult
to keep the grout clean, and tile scratches easily.

Make certain to have a professional hardwood flooring installer do the
job... there are too many "handimen" out there who haven't the
knowlege or proper equipment... definitely not a DIY project:
http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/

Real hardwood flooring is forever so it costs less than all other
types of flooring... it can be refinished, and given a whole new look
with various treatments; stains, pickling, and bleaching. Hardwood
flooring costs less to install, does away with the need to install a
new sub floor, it covers all blemishes that would be enhanced with
vinyl... being a full 3/4" thick it goes directly over old vinyl and
less than perfect sub flooring.

No other flooring looks as rich and generates the warmth af real
hardwood flooring (figuratively and literally - an excellent
insulator/sound proofing). There are many types and grades of
hardwood and various ways it's sawn so it behooves one to educate
themself before running out to buy.

Hallway:
http://i35.tinypic.com/14vs768.jpg

Livingroom:
http://i38.tinypic.com/2z5vdl4.jpg

Goodbye ugli vinyl:
http://i37.tinypic.com/25zgua8.jpg

Be sure to remove all moldings, cut into door jambs, and floor inside
all closets:
http://i34.tinypic.com/16lyd0w.jpg

Everyone loves my new kitchen floor:
http://i33.tinypic.com/28upbg8.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/20a29h3.jpg

Any questions feel free.