The vinyl tiles, although they aren't everyone's first choice, can be one of the best solutions for your situation. I have installed several floors using these tiles, and it's a "do-it-yourself if you can use scissors" kind of project. There are slate looking products at both HD and Lowes that are magnificent at hiding any dirt. I think I used the HD Morrocan slate pattern.. (or something like that..) last time, and if you don't feel like it, you really don't have to clean it because it's the color of dirt anyway :-)The one I used also had a 25 year warranty, and that's a good selling feature for your house. I have this product in my own kitchen...(that's how I know about the dirt thing) and I am a real estate investor, and have had great success installing and and selling this product in my properties. You may want to try a flooring specialty store for more choices, but I have had some really nice results from the Home Depot stuff....and, it's about .99 per square foot. Most of these tiles at the Home Depot or Lowes are self stick..the more expensive designer tiles are not (usually) So here are my best tips to moron- proof your project. 1.)Buy a little extra for uhh..scissorical errors 2.)Start in the center of the room, and lay out a row of tile. When you get to the last tile on each end of the row, you might need to make an adjustment..what I mean is this: if on one side of your room you need to cut a very small piece of tile, you might want to adjust it so that the ending tile on each side of the row is even. I install the entire first row and then use it as my guide. 3.) *Most important and best tip* Self stick tiles are surprisingly self stick..that is very bad for installers who aren't fully confident in their sticking abilities. You accidentally mis-stick that puppy and he's there to stay..or, a pain to lift..not so bad if you do it once, but chances are you'll do it a lot. Most of the vinyl floors I see installed, it's pretty obvious that by the third or fourth mis-stick the installer said..."well, it will just have to stay that way...it will look more realistic with the bigger cracks anyway" not good, not true, and certainly not beneficial for the resale of your house :-) So, here's what you do: buy yourself a few nice paint brushes..try to get the ones that the bristles don't pull out too easily, and make sure you buy a few....don't bother trying to clean them, it's not worth the hassle..and the cheap paintbrushes will make this harder..so consider the destruction of three $17 paintbrushes a casualty of a successfully waged war against anti-do-it-yourself-dom. I buy a vinyl floor adhesive, I think last time I used an Armstrong product. Keep in mind..the Home Depot or Lowes associates will look at you like you're mad if you ask them to recommend an adhesive product for a self-stick floor tile..so you may want to locate this product on your own... to avoid being reported to the vinyl flooring police. I am quite sure this was in a white bucket with blue lettering and a lighter blue background..but that could have been the carpet stuff..or maybe it was carpet and vinyl in one...I can't remember. Anyway, pretty much any vinyl sheet/tile adhesive in a bucket (never a tube!) will do.
The tiles will come with a paper backing, and if you need to cut the tile, leave the paper on while you do that. Otherwise, peel the paper off, and put a very very thin coat of the adhesive on the back. The adhesive will tell you to use a trowel..don't!! It'll ooze up through the cracks and you don't want to have to clean it up (goo-gone will do it for small mishaps, but you don't want have to mop with it) The reason the instructions say to use a trowel is because you need more adhesive for non-self-stick floors, and that's what the adhesive is made for. The adhesive will do several things for you and the new home owners...it will allow you to position, slide, or reposition your tiles as you go...and your installation will be perfect..no cracks. Also, the floor will be stuck much better for longer. The self stickers do lose their stick sometimes, and this extra adhesive is double-duty fabulous for both installation and life of the floor. Tip #4: I install the center of the floor first...no cutting any tiles...just breeze through the center..peel, paint, position. The edges are the worst part, but you can use some paper to help make templates for really tricky spots..that way you cut the paper a few times but the vinyl only once. This helps to add additional "you can do it" reassurance to your project. Also...depending on your base moulding..the adhesive may allow you to slide the tile under the edges a bit...a welcome treat from time to time..less fancy cuts.
The vinyl doesn't look cheap...because it imparts a warmth to the floor..the tiles that are shiny white with fake green marble patterns..those are horrible, as are most of the high gloss peel and stickers...I think what really gives this product it's character is it's low shine and natural looking colors...and, it will really bring out your woodwork. Bring a few home to compare against the wood and your counter top..and it's hard to go wrong. You should get a great looking floor, for about $500..and a boost to your DIY ego. The ceramic is a great product as well, but costly for the install and very tough to do it yourself. Let me know if you need more info! breiah@prudentialmanor.com