I would like to put tile flooring down in my kitchen. I am told that a subflooring is needed before the tile is placed. Explain to me exactly what subflooring is, why it is needed when there never was subflooring when the home was constructed. (1960's). What would the best type of tile be to put down. What is the best type of flooring for a kitchen.? Thanks all.
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What kind of floor covering do you have right now? Is it over top of wood framing or a cement slab?
Subflooring become critical when you have wood framing because if the wood joists cant adequately support the weight of the flooring, cabinetry, appliances and people, they tend to sag in the middle and the floor may feel a little bouncey when you walk over it. This may not be a big problem for a wood or vinyl floor because those things "flex". A ceramic tiled floor cannot flex, so it will crack or break apart, thus the need for additional subflooring. That can take two forms, it may be adding another layer of plywood to the existing ply and/or it may be adding additional supports to the floor joists that support the floor.
In any event things like particle board, luan and the vinyl sheeting all need to be removed if present before a floor can be tiled with ceramic. These things offer no support and do present movement problems that will kill a tiled floor.
Subflooring become critical when you have wood framing because if the wood joists cant adequately support the weight of the flooring, cabinetry, appliances and people, they tend to sag in the middle and the floor may feel a little bouncey when you walk over it. This may not be a big problem for a wood or vinyl floor because those things "flex". A ceramic tiled floor cannot flex, so it will crack or break apart, thus the need for additional subflooring. That can take two forms, it may be adding another layer of plywood to the existing ply and/or it may be adding additional supports to the floor joists that support the floor.
In any event things like particle board, luan and the vinyl sheeting all need to be removed if present before a floor can be tiled with ceramic. These things offer no support and do present movement problems that will kill a tiled floor.
The floor has a very thin think type of carpet. Beneath that is the wood floor. Is tile the best thing to use in a kitchen or what about pergo? Thanks
I hear varying things about Pergo, some say its no problem, others had had a problem with water getting between the boards. I know you cant let water puddle up on it or it will get through a seam. Also some have said the shine wears down around the sink area, probably from repeated exposure to splashing water. A floor mat might solve that problem.
Ceramic would be more durable (if installed correctly) and easier to maintain but some feel it harder on the legs to stand there for awhile. And if you drop a glass it will break on ceramic, you may get lucky on Pergo. Kids and dogs can be a problem for Pergo also, so I am told. I dont have it in my house so I am only repeating what I have heard or been told by others.
Ceramic would be more durable (if installed correctly) and easier to maintain but some feel it harder on the legs to stand there for awhile. And if you drop a glass it will break on ceramic, you may get lucky on Pergo. Kids and dogs can be a problem for Pergo also, so I am told. I dont have it in my house so I am only repeating what I have heard or been told by others.
