Need to Change Floor and Backsplash--considering vinyl tiles
Mary Cris
4 years ago
Hello, I am on a budget, so even though my whole kitchen needs updating, I have to choose one of these two options. I just painted the walls a soft green color, and it clashes with the current backsplash and floor tiles, which are a pink/peach color with unsealed grout. The floor grout, as you can imagine, is really dirty.
A) I keep the tiles and repaint the walls a different (more neutral) color. I'll have to clean the grout and seal, and I am overwhelmed with that thought. Is there an easy way to do this? I'm not sure it's worth the effort!
Or
B) I keep the walls green for now and redo the floor and backsplash with vinyl adhesive tiles (or something comparable). If I go this route, I need suggestions about what kind of vinyl tiles would look right with the cabinets--which need to remain as is.
Thank you for any thoughts!
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
Related Discussions
vinyl tile or vinyl tile questions
Comments (1)the success of your installation will be directly dependent upon the stability of the surface (existing flooring material) you are installing over. the best way is to remove the existing flooring and start from scratch. laying over existing may be possible, but you need to remove any lose existing flooring and patch any voids with a good flooring grade patching compound like Ardex sd-f (featherfinish), sand/scrape and repeat until flat and smooth, but this is no guarantee against future issues as any failure of existing willresult in failure of the new flooring. If any of this confuses you, I recommend consulting a flooring professional to take a look at your exisitng flooring and ask for recommendations....See MoreURGENT! Vinyl sheet floor meets tile wall - caulk? vinyl cove?
Comments (12)Amen, Glenn. I started when I was 12 helping Dad on weekends and evenings when Mom worked. At 15, I helped during evening weekends, and summer vacations (and getting paid!) when he went out on his own. At 17, I went to the Armstong School of Resilient Installation to learn all that I could, which was before certifications. They confirmed shool completions back then but didnt "certify" as they do now. All my life I have been taught on the job and Dad pulled me aside when other co-workers and his bosses did things inappropriately to save time and cut corners, telling me this isnt the way you should do this, but we do what we have to when we work for someone else. Every facet from pattern scribing inlaid resilient sheet in a room full of pipes and old radiators, all the way down to professionally and expertly installing vinyl/rubber cover base corners. Nothing was too big or too small to do right. At 21, me and Dad had a falling out in business. He had his own busienss now doign commercial and residential subcontract work and was becomming like so many others we laughed at and despised for doing shoddy work to make a buck, then I went out on my own. I am not maligning my Father. I love Him and he taught me pretty much evrything I know, but I couldnt do the work he was asking me to do anylonger when I knew it wasnt right. He had changed. Business had changed him. Money and time was becomming more important that job quality. Business certainly isnt easy, but a time comes when it's either right or its wrong, with little middle ground. Whhen professionals hit that crossroad, then take the wrong path, it changes them, and each time they elect that improper path, it makes the next crossroads easier and easier to take the wrong path, until the day comes that money and time means more than giving people who trust use with their work a professional job. I am an advocate of installer and buiness educataion no matter how they go about obtaining it, whether that be on the job, through a mentorship, union apprentiship, manufacturer or distributor training session, or certification. If certifications are the only way they can get proper training, they shoud go get it. Consumers need to step up and make a fuss when anything isnt exactly how they want it to be. We live in a low cost wallmart and home depot world, where as long as the price is right, they can live with almost anything. As an employer, I instill in my men and women the same installation and customer service values my Dad originally instilled in me, and I demand that on every job. I believe much of the talent has moved to the commercial spectrum too. Its where the money is at. Interesting you should say that (about commercial work getting the good men). When I left Dad, I went all commercial for about 10-11 years before we started opening up stores. Did alot of traveling and made alot of money. Now we bring those values and quality to the residential sector. In the end if something isnt done right, it doesnt matter why....See MoreChanging 90’s beige tile kitchen floor
Comments (8)I highly recommend figuring out the ENTIRE look of the kitchen before you touch this functional floor. I know you are feeling fidgety about changing 'something' in the kitchen but haven't decided on what or where or how...so the flooring seems the easiest thing to 'change. Remember: floors are done LAST. Which means your kitchen refresh *should go FIRST. You haven't decided on the 'type' of white cabinets. Which means you do NOT want to change the floors...because it could lead you into a 'colour trap'. If you switch them out today...what happens tomorrow when you find the PERFECT colour for the cabinets (because it goes PERFECTLY with your favourite counters and the backsplash you want) CLASHES with the tones in your floor? Oh dear. Now you have to continue searching OR remove the floors and do them again. Sigh...what a waste of time. Please take 2 weeks to plan your kitchen colour scheme. The COLOURS are what binds a space together. The materials are of little consequence (don't bash me...it's true) but the COLOURS are SUPER important. I would suggest you do some research into the cabinet finishes available in your area. Get a colour swatch from the painters (or purchase a finished drawer face, etc). Now take that shopping to find options for counter tops AND flooring. Pick out 2-3 counters that would work for you (and your cabinets). Purchase slices of the stones for future reference. Now go tile shopping. You will have all three samples with you in a basket or a bag. You will pick up 2-3 FLOOR tile samples that will work with your choices. Purchase the samples if you have to. Then purchase 2-3 backsplash samples as well. Excellent. Take them home and look at ALL of them in your lighting. Move them around during the day. You want to see all samples in all 5 lighting situations. Each time the light changes, one of your samples will show it's ugly side (maybe too pink...maybe too yellow, or too blue, or too green). Excellent! Put it in a drawer and keep looking at the samples. Keep kicking samples to the curb. Eventually you will be down to 2 floor options and two counter top options and maybe 1 backsplash option. Exactly where you want to be! Now you go ahead and figure out WHICH floor you can purchase RIGHT NOW rather than waiting. The one you purchase is what drives the counters and the backsplash. Whew! Good work. In two weeks you have FINALIZED your kitchen refresh without doing a darn thing. Remember: floors go in LAST....See MoreNeed advice on new flooring what would look good vinyl or tile
Comments (9)How do you go over tile with luxury vinyl? are you talking about adhesive kind or something? Thank you for your helpful advice. Going to be picky with what color a lot of brown in the room. So that is another reason I liked Babylon travertine tile. It looked so awesome with room visualizer....See More
PROBeverlyFLADeziner
4 years agoPainting is the cheapest and least expensive fix. Select a gray that is not too blue for your kitchen. It will bring out the best of your cabinets and make your floor and backsplash look brighter.
Add some black accents to the room.
Mary Cris thanked BeverlyFLADezinerMary Cris
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMary Cris
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
PROBeth H. :
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoMary, yes, Grout Renew. comes in all colors.
and, if you want, you could prob try peel and stick tiles, or even peel and stick decals over the backsplash tile. just an idea. you could also get beadboard and use it. it's pretty cheap.
https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/how-to-install-a-beadboard-kitchen-backsplash/
Also, buy a contractors pack of cabinet hardware. shouldn't be more than $25. it will upgrade your wood cabs and protect them
Related Stories
TILE6 Questions to Answer Before You Install Tile Flooring
Considering these things before tackling your floors can get you a better result
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDES10 Tile Patterns to Showcase Your Floor
There's more to a tile floor than the tile itself; how you lay out your tile can change the look and feel of the room
Full Story
KITCHEN BACKSPLASHESLove a White Backsplash but Not Subway Tile? Try One of These
If you want to go beyond the classic rectangle, consider these 11 white backsplash tile options
Full Story
MATERIALSWhat to Know About Luxury Vinyl Flooring
The flooring material has become increasingly popular. Here’s how to determine its quality and get it installed
Full Story
KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES6 Ways to Add Style to a Basic Tile Backsplash
Bold grout lines, bright colors and unusual layouts can turn rectanglular tiles into an eye-catching focal point
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGN10 Gorgeous Backsplash Alternatives to Subway Tile
Artistic installations, back-painted glass and pivoting windows prove there are backsplash possibilities beyond the platform
Full Story
KITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Graphic Floor Tiles Accent a White Kitchen
Walls come down to open up the room and create better traffic flow
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGN8 Top Tile Types for Your Kitchen Backsplash
Backsplash designs don't have to be set in stone; glass, mirror and mosaic tiles can create kitchen beauty in a range of styles
Full Story
KITCHEN BACKSPLASHESHow to Install a Tile Backsplash
If you've got a steady hand, a few easy-to-find supplies and patience, you can install a tile backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom
Full Story
EVENTSThe Latest Looks in Tile, Stone and Flooring
Patterned tile, faux hardwood and natural colors were some of the trends seen at The International Surface Event 2019
Full Story
Patricia Colwell Consulting