Like most homeowners, I've scaled back kitchen remodel plans to just what's necessary, and one of those necessary things is flooring. I've narrowed it down to vinyl plank for the following reasons:
1. Easy to install
2. Easy to cut (Cowardly DIYer is afraid of electric saws, which makes it hard to do much!
)
3. Resistant to water and staining (hubby is messy in the kitchen
4. Cost-effective
Hardwood isn't viable, laminate is "clacky" and requires a saw to cut...and can have water issues, ceramic tile is hard and cold (as are other tiles). I've heard some not-great things about cork in terms of discoloration and wear.
The Trafficmaster Allure that they have at Home Depot looks awesome, but I've heard horror stories about off-gassing, odors, buckling, bad adhesive, and on and on. Likewise with Konekto, which I gather is made by the same company.
Armstrong makes one. Earthwerks looks interesting because their stuff is recyclable.
I'm skeptical of stuff sold at Home Depot, because some of it is not-as-good versions of name products.
The kitchen is above grade (1 story above the ground) and the flooring will be installed over an existing sheet vinyl floor that dates from sometime between 1975 and 1980, so it may contain asbestos -- that's why I'm installing over it. The sheet vinyl is curling up under the cabinets and around the wall oven cabinet, so I thought I'd cut the curling parts and use a floor leveling compound to even it out in those places.
So which product should I use that won't make us sick from the odors, will wear well with messy husband, and is easy to clean?
Linear Mode
