Flooring question for kitchen diner - tile or engineered wood

last month

Hello

We're having an extension this year which will involve a wide kitchen diner area added to the back of the house, this will link to the existing lounge.

We're looking at flooring options and whether to go down the route of either wood style tiles or engineered wood in a herringbone design. There will be underfloor heating in the kitchen/diner area and we ideally want the same flooring flow throughout the extension and the lounge.

Cost is key as things are a little tight (we've found tile approx £22 pm2 and wood £31 pm2 online), but we're looking at whether to go with wood-like tiles or engineered wood. I believe tiles will work better with the under ground heating but I'm not sure about having them in the lounge as well.

Any advice/tips on this, as well as whether it's best to try to go to builder suppliers or specific websites for the best price, would be appreciated.

Cheers

Featured Answer

Sarah U-S

last month

Have you thought about the third option- LVT?
My brother has recently had an extension, and variations in floor level meant that he had to get rid of an area of parquet. He replaced it with LVT, and it looks incredible. More robust than wood and much warmer and comfier than tile.

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Comments (22)

PRO
Kingfisher Designs
last month
I wouldn't be confident of an engenired wood floor with underfloor heating as it will act as an insulation layer and will expend/contract much more. Also tiles will last better in a kitchen then engenered wood as if you get it wet your in for a world of pain. The tiles look really nice as we have them in our cloakroom so I'd recomend them, with underfloor heating the living room should be fine.
Matt P thanked Kingfisher Designs
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This depends greatly on the layout, occupants, maintenance preferences, style and type of house, etc. It would be unwise for anyone to give advice without asking you more questions - and ideally seeing a photo. As I'm sure you know, the usual issue in keeping to a single flooring type is the differing requirements of a kitchen (spills, stains, heavy wear zones) and a living area. People often like the idea of solid or engineered hardwood throughout; if this is your preference, you'd need to be careful around the sink and to ensure joints are sealed to prevent water ingress. Frequent revarnishing may be needed depending on wear and maintenance. Ceramic tiling or porcelain can be practical, but is often seen as visually too cold, or physically too cold unless you have the option for underfloor heating (expensive and disruptive to retro-fit because of the need for insulation beneath). We're currently designing the interior for new house is Germany, for which our client wants hardwood in the living and dining areas but stone or ceramic tiling in the kitchen portion for practicality. Here, an island running across this long room offers a good position to change materials without it seeming arbitrary. The whole house will have underfloor heating. We're also suggesting using tiling of a similar shade to the hardwood to mute the contrast. Some proponents of so-called porcelain wood floors extol their practicality and appearance. To us, the extreme hardness and cold surface mitigate against recommending this type of product. Also, in time it is quite possible that the applied wood effect texture will wear through in heavily-trafficked areas, giving the lie to the visual deception.
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Matt P
Original Author
last month
Thanks, i'll look into that, particularly as the lounge won't have underfloor heating. Thanks!
Sonia
last month
Several people I know, including me, have porcelain tiles. They come in so many finishes - stone effect, wood effect, patterned etc. They work really well with UFH and they are tough and easy to clean, despite the name. There is also another option, LVT, which is very popular with Houzzers. There are several manufacturers, so worth a search.
Matt P thanked Sonia
randjb
last month
I have engineered wood throughout the house, and whilst it looks lovely, I find it a nightmare to clean. You can't use steam mops on it, and have to avoid soaking it, so the only option seems to be dry mopping. This isn't a problem in most rooms, but is in the kitchen diner where food is dropped etc. So, I'd go for tiles.
Matt P thanked randjb
rinked
last month
Tile. Just add a rug in the lounge area.
Matt P thanked rinked
Tani H-S
last month
Definitely LVT! We got commercial grade for £20sqm plus fitting costs. Went over concrete screed. Wood effect and is so durable and washable and I barely have to clean it 🤣
Matt P thanked Tani H-S
88wj88
last month
I have used wood effect porcelain tiles in two different properties both with underfloor heating. They were excellent in terms of cost, installation, heat transfer and most importantly ease in keeping clean - I used a Karcher steam mop. A kilim-style rug does not insulate too much and breaks up the expanse. My daughter has an engineered wood floor throughout with underfloor heating, which was quite pricey (over £60 square metre) and odd gaps have appeared. Not to be recommended.
Matt P thanked 88wj88
Matt P
Original Author
last month
Tani H-S, where did you get your LVT from?

Thanks!
Tani H-S
last month
It's called Cavalio floors. They do various thicknesses and I went for a commercial grade which was thicker and more durable. Mid oak with grey tones in.
Was trying to find the website for you that I got it from but can only find their name at the moment 🙈
Was my fitter who suggested them as he uses it for big companies
Tani H-S
last month
https://cavaliofloors.com/products-page/projectline/

Project line is the thicker stuff. I got mine from a local company as they price matched it but you can get it online. Also send out free samples.
I tried karndean et al but any I liked were 3 times the price 😳
PRO
colourhappy
last month
I would go for huge format porcelain tiles, something in a neutral stone colour. Timeless and won't go out of fashion.
Lynda Kerr
last month
Could I jump on here and ask if porcelain tiles and grout need to be treated every year or two? Also, are they slippy when wet. Looking at options too for our kitchen and it's confusing. Thank you.
Lynda Kerr
last month
P.S. we have quickstep laminate that's waterproof as we have a dog etc. and now someone has said they wouldn't be sure about this flooring in kitchen. I thought waterproof would mean waterproof. We love the look of porcelain tiles but, we need low-maintenance, durability and non-slip.
rebeccajones262
24 days ago
Hi Matt, I am in a very similar dilemma, just wondered what you went for in the end? or any interesting information you found out along the way?
Matt P
Original Author
24 days ago
Hi Rebecca, we haven't decided yet, we've got another 4ish weeks until the deadline. I've found some LVT from Wood Floor Warehouse which is very reasonable, only consideration now is whether the covering is as durable as others we've seen as it isn't as thick sample-wise.
Ruth House
23 days ago
can I jump on this thread please?

Can you get LVT with a textured surface?

we loved our incredibly natural looking textured wood effect laminate in previous house......but hated that it wasn't waterproof!

are wood effect LVT just printed pattern or do they have a natural feel texture also?

thanks
Tani H-S
22 days ago
@Ruth - ours is textured. The one from Cavalio. I found my sample book the other day which I'm binning but the suppliers will send you one if you ask then either small samples or a full sized one.
Tani H-S
22 days ago
This is the one we have
Ruth House
22 days ago
Thank you so much Tani-HS this has opened up a whole world of possibilities......ordering free samples now. Cheers.

My mum also mentioned Cork as an option so may look into that also.
rebeccajones262
22 days ago
Hi tani-hs, this is really useful - what colour did you go for in the picture ? it looks great, also what is everyone's experience with using it with under floor heating ?
Tani H-S
22 days ago
I think ours was the authentic rustic oak.
We have some left and hoping to use it in our campervan! It's lovely.

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Flooring question for kitchen diner - tile or engineered wood

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