Faux Ceramic Tile Vinyl Flooring

 

Our kitchen, laundry and main hallway flooring was a beautiful white geometric design. It was a very popular pattern when we purchase our home in the late 1990’s but a decade later, it was just ugly.  

Being a REALTOR® and knowing we would be moving within a few years, we didn’t want to over remodel our home but knew we had to make changes during our kitchen remodel in 2010. We decided on an upgrade of hardwood for the kitchen and adjoining family room we were converting into a dining room but what to do with the hallways and laundry? In my mind’s eye, I saw ceramic tile but it didn’t calculate as a wise investment. Our second thought was a laminate floor that looked like tile. However the flooring store professionals talked us out of that one—best not to use Pergo-type products anywhere that is damp due to potential peeling of the image. So, we finally opted for an upgraded vinyl that looked like tile. Some of the faux-ceramic tile products have a visible texture so one has to reach down and touch it to see if it is tile or not. It was the perfect choice! The first day after the vinyl floor installation, our milkman was making his weekly delivery and asked when we had the ceramic tile installed. Bingo! Now, two years later and it still looks new! And best of all, it was just a fraction of the cost of ceramic or laminate flooring.

It is essential to make smart choices when upgrading features in your home. This is especially true if you plan to move someday. Not every home has the value or location to support high quality upgrades. Sometimes a good, budget-conscious alternative is the way to go. Over upgrading is one of the saddest news I have to deliver when people ask a market analysis. There is often a misguided expectation of receiving a dollar for dollar return on the remodeling investment. The reality is more of 25-30% return on investment on average for most remodeling projects. However, not doing anything when your home is out of date or deteriorating can affect the bottom-line when it comes time to sell. This is where a REALTOR® for life comes in. If you are unsure of whether you need to install the most expensive or just a good quality alternative product in your next remodel, give all me. I can help you decide whether your upgrades will make sense for the neighborhood. 

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Theresa "Teri" Eckholm, a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.   I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

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Copyright 2013 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

 

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18 Comments on It's Not Your Grandma's Linoleum!

OCT
25
1,946,167 Points 477 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

"milkman"???

Goodness.  I haven't seen a milkman in this area for 30 years or more.

I have seen linoleum used effectively in model homes here.
3:39pm • #1
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lenn--Yep! We still get milk delivered once a week in paper cartons rather than those yucky plastic bottles. Kemps home delivery. Our milkman is Gary and he owns Countryside Home Delivery. He sells other food items too...ice cream, bread and frozen foods but the our favorite item is the fresh milk!
5:31pm • #2
1,113,901 Points 115 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow Teri I remember the milk man delivering a couple of times a week but that's when I was a kid growing up in MN. I am amazed they still do....wow!   And....you're right on the choice of flooring is critical!
5:49pm • #3
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Anna--It is a tough business with the economy and gas prices for any delivery business but what a great service! And yes, choosing the right upgraded flooring is important. :)
5:55pm • #4
410,312 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I remember home milk delivery too, but not for a long time....
7:15pm • #5
OCT
26
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kathy--I know it is a rarity these days! :)
4:19pm • #6
OCT
30
1,908,609 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Teri, yeah!  Milkman? That's actually pretty cool.  And by the way, I really like the floor. 
4:57pm • #7
NOV
04
299,146 Points 21 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

I have seen this in homes I've shown.  It is fantastic!  My buyers and I have had to remove our shoes or bend over and actually touch it to believe it was not real tile!
8:10am • #8
1,908,609 Points 384 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hey, Teri!  I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week!
8:24am • #9
356,406 Points 27 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Teri... That's a great idea! And, good advice too! My condo is a little dated and needs a face lift, yet it wouldn't merit an expensive total remodel. Thanks, you've given me some ideas.
8:25am • #10
1,134,893 Points 152 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sounds like a smart choice.  Laminate is bad option if there is water or even a lot of moisture.  It sucks it up like a sponge.  The peeling off is less of an issue...the bigger and more common one is buckling.

I recommend vinyl for these types of situations.  There is luxury vinyl (which I love) and you can get the look of hardwood or tile for that.  There is also sheet vinyl that looks better too that looks much better than it used to.  It's hard to tell from the picture.

Also, BTW, linoleum is a completely different product.  It's green and made with linseed oil (vs. vinyl is petroleum based and the opposite of green.  They both work for areas that may be damp/get some water.

10:40am • #11
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Debbie C--I have to do it all the time too!

Pat--Thanks for including me! :)

Rene--It really saves and looks very good too. We will be using when we update our upstairs bathrooms too!

Debbie G--Sounds like you know a lot about flooring...very good explanations. I did know vinyl and linoleum are different products but the title isn't as funny if I say "It's not your grandma's vinyl floor" lol Just a bit of creative license on my part!
3:28pm • #12
871,571 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Teri, we installed 18x18" tiles like the ones in the photo in the kitchen of our former home and they looked like slate - a beautiful and practical product. They were so much easier on our feet and kinder to things that fell on the floor.

Sharon
7:58pm • #13
1,090,149 Points 201 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Teri, I was taken with the Milkman mention. I sure wish we had one. As for the flooring, it seems you made a good choice and I have seem some that really defies the what the eye thinks it is seeing. 
8:25pm • #14
NOV
05
510,688 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We had something similar to this in a higher end home we owned five years ago. I loved, loved, loved it. More comfortable to walk and stand on and easier to clean. I have to think less expensive, too. And I loved the way it looked.

Gretchen
3:20pm • #15
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Frank& Sharon--Sounds like a great DIY option with vinyl tiles...we had the big sheets installed.

William--Yep! That milkman seems to surprise many. It is a good option for homes that do not call for expensive treatments. In our neighborhood with a remodeled older home, it is best to not over remodel too.

Gretchen--It looks high end but it really is cost effective. And so much warmer in the winter too!
6:40pm • #16
NOV
06
700,378 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Cool a real milkman still lives!  I actually was going to do a post with a similiar theme. I have a well priced home with 'original 1960's' everything in it.  One of the buyers spouted 'it will take 70K to make this place decent'.  Well, if it does buddy, you've over spent!  People just don't get it or are just plain princesses.
10:27am • #17
564,733 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lyn--Yep! He just stopped by today as a matter of fact! :) I do think there are times to pull out all the stops so to speak when upgrading...if the neighborhood warrants it. But in many cases, it is best to do better quality updates and be able to price to sell!

 
1:58pm • #18

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Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Ham Lake, MN

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REMAX Specialists

Address: 4910 Highway 61 N, White Bear Lake , MN, 55110

Cell Phone: (651) 336-7073

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Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/REMAX Specialists assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.


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