Flooring Tile - Tile vs Wood Laminate

I hope that I am in the right forum for my questions.

I put a wood laminate floor down about a year ago. We though that we would love it, but actually we dislike it now.

It looks pretty good when it's clean, but we have inside animals and between them and a 12 year old son, it is hard to keep clean. There are spots where the floor is "bubbling" up due to moisture, spills and yes, a dog accident now and again. I'm not saying that it is the manufacturers fault, because I'm sure it's not.

But, we have come to the conclusion that wood laminate floors are not for us.

Now, how about tile floors? I would think that they would be easier to take care of, you know, not as high maintenance as a wood laminate floor. We would be able to use a mop and hopefully see spills and dog accidents easier.

Are tile floors less maintenance as wood laminate floors? What is your opinions on tile floors?

I will be putting new tile floors in both bathrooms soon and was thinking of just bringing the tile on down the hall and living areas.

I will be posting this in the wood flooring forum as well. (moderator's note: other thread deleted - duplicate posting is unnecessary & prohibited)


Thanks for any advice...

Personally, I don't like tile flooring in hallways and living areas. For the kitchen, dining area, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc. they look appropriate and are easy to clean and take care of. To put tile in the hallway and living room/bedrooms, etc. I think would look funny. And especially if you use the same tile (color/style) as what you put in the bathrooms ...definitely don't do that. I guess for me, I always do things to my house that will be appealing to future buyers so that I can easily sell my home if need be. If I walked through a house as a potential buyer that had tile in the hallway and living room and to boot, it was the same tile that was in the bathrooms, I would keep on walking out the front door. Hardwood or carpeting in the hallways and living areas would be best if you asked me. I don't even mess with laminate ...cheap alternative to the real thing = lower appeal and lower quality. But it's totally up to you and what you and your family like. If you take care of hardwood, it will last a life time and will not fail on you. Just think, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide with children and pets use hardwood in their homes and most of them manage to keep them in decent shape. Just my 2 cents ..take it or leave it.

Steve

I like tile and it is less maintenance, but I agree that tile everywhere would look a little strange.

I will be putting new tile floors in both bathrooms soon and was thinking of just bringing the tile on down the hall and living areas.



the only time i've seen tile in the family room, along with kitchen, entry, halls, etc is in homes near beaches or waterfront. it seems appropriate there what with all the sand & wet bathing suits & stuff, but anywhere else i agree that it seems out of place in a traditional home, unless your decor is very contemporary. kitchens, bathrooms, entry, & laundry rooms: yes. bedrooms, family rooms, hallways: not so much.

laminates are usually easy to clean & pretty durable & if spills/accidents are wiped up quickly, will last years. but if you're letting spills & accidents sit around long enough that they're causing your laminate to bubble up, you have my blessing to use tile! tile will definitely be better for you. just be sure to seal it properly. you might use one color of tile for the kitchen, & bathrooms and a different one for the living room just to get away from the "beach house" look. then use a large inexpensive area rug in the living room to warm it up.

stick with carpet for bedrooms & keep animals out.