Bungalow kitchen floors

[Starly]

Hello All -

I saw a similar thread on the Chicago Bungalow board so I thought I would ask the question of those in Berwyn.

Does anyone know what the original kitchen floor would have been in a bungalow built in the 1930s?  We have beautiful golden oak on the main level, but some pretty beat up looking vinyl in the kitchen.  Does anyone know what might be there if we were to pull it up?

[OakParkSpartan]

Often Maple.  Could also be linoleum.

Cheers,
Brian

PS. Be careful of asbestos if the tile is rather old.  The glues used to contain asbestos as well.

[tony la]

Most of the kitchen floors in the bungalows were maple.  

[Starly]

Any one have a suggestion of how to do a "spot check" of what is underneath?  Perhaps at the top of the stairs that lead to the basement or in a corner?

[Bonster]

try a spot under the stove or refrigerator...

[Guy_on_Clinton]

you can also look under the sink.. where there is usually a radiator... down there you should be able to see the wood.

[Bru67]

Mine was maple, under 3 layers of tile!  We stripped it and restored it.

[renovatorbear]

We also pulled off three layers of vinyl and found wood in our kitchen.  We opted for a laminated tile instead of refinishing.  We did, however, refinish all of the wood floor elsewhere in our bungalow.  And let me tell you...they was HORRIFYING!  (please note that the hideous and poorly designed side by side refridgerator has been replaced with a snazzy new one--one of those freezer on the bottom types with the split doors above.  It rules!

[Bonster]

I like that brick-like tile over the counters. 
What's the green thing on back corner of your counter, a cookie jar?
Are those heavy-duty contractor bags in the second pic?
I love that dog in the last pic!!!

please note that the hideous and poorly designed side by side refridgerator has been replaced with a snazzy new one

perfect for the basement bar!

[Bonster]

hehe...^^ this guy's great!

[Guy_on_Clinton]

we thought of the laminate and or ceramic... but the cost was going to be the same ... so we decided to have it refinished....

[Boris]

Ours had hideous green linoleum. On our second walk-through, when we were going to give an offer, I did the under-the-sink peek, pulling a little linoleum just enough to see maple underneath.



...it refinished beautifully.

[Guy_on_Clinton]

Bo

Your project came out awesome...  very cool that you were able to keep the window!

[Bonster]

Our kitchen was updated, but with cabinets that don't really match the door and one original cabinet still in there.  It works, but ultimately I'd like to have an exact match.   We have a huge problem with configuration with the doorway to the attic being in the kitchen, rather than in the dining room or hallway. 

@Guy - that was some SERIOUS 70's flooring you had goin' there!

[Bear]

Not bad for 113 years old

[hounddog]

What a great luittle dog -- you say you have two of those?  let's see front view of him!

[Starly]

Wow, I'm really impressed with the flooring I've seen in these posts.  My guess is you're a lot more "handy" than I am.  Any one use a professional?

[Bear]

I did all of mine. It is a nasty job. I say, have someone else do it, by the time you rent the machine
and get all the stuff, its about the same price as having someone do it for you.

[Bonster]

Sweet flooring, Bear.

That's original design?  damn . . .

Imagine how much it would cost to reproduce that today.

[Bear]

Original stuff Bonster, after sanding I stood there realizing the last time somone saw this floor
in its natural state was close to 100 years ago