Backsplash & Kitchen Flooring in Gainesville, FL

Backsplash and kitchen flooring are the two surfaces that frame the rest of the room. The tile behind the sink and cooktop takes the splatter and grease; the floor has to handle spills, dropped pans, a heavy refrigerator and, in Gainesville, humid air and wet shoes during summer storm season. We often do the two together because they share a tile setter, a schedule and a color plan.

Backsplash options

Ceramic and porcelain tile, including classic subway tile, is the most common choice and the easiest to clean. Glass tile reflects light in a darker kitchen. Natural stone adds texture but usually needs sealing. A slab backsplash cut from the same quartz as the counter has almost no grout lines. HomeGuide puts a typical backsplash at $500 to $1,700, or $10 to $50 per square foot installed; Forbes Home lists $600 to $3,100. Behind the sink we pay extra attention to the joint between counter and tile, which is sealed with flexible caulk rather than grout.

Flooring for a humid climate

• Porcelain and ceramic tile: water does not hurt it, and HomeAdvisor lists ceramic at $4 to $40 per square foot. Grout should be sealed.
• Luxury vinyl plank and sheet vinyl: water-resistant and softer underfoot; Forbes Home lists vinyl at $3 to $7 per square foot.
• Laminate: $3 to $10 per square foot (HomeAdvisor), but many laminates have a fiberboard core that can swell if water sits on the seams, so check the product's water rating for a kitchen.
• Hardwood: $6 to $22 per square foot (HomeAdvisor). Some older Gainesville houses still have original wood floors worth keeping; wood near a sink and dishwasher needs a good finish and quick cleanup.

Checking the subfloor

A new floor is only as good as what is under it. On a raised wood floor, we check for soft spots near the sink, dishwasher and refrigerator line, where slow leaks are common. On a concrete slab, we check for cracks, high spots and moisture before laying vinyl or tile. Damaged subfloor is repaired before the new floor goes down, and that work is listed in the quote when we can see it.

Cabinets in or out first?

In a full remodel, flooring usually goes down before the cabinets, or at least under the appliances, so the dishwasher and refrigerator can be pulled out later without catching on an edge. When only the floor is being replaced, the new floor runs to the existing cabinets and the toe kicks are trimmed or replaced. We check the dishwasher height so a thicker floor does not trap it under the counter.

Older walls and old paint

Removing an old backsplash often takes some drywall or plaster with it. In homes built before 1978, painted walls may contain lead-based paint, and the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires paid work that disturbs it to be done by certified firms using lead-safe practices. We ask the age of the house first and plan the demolition accordingly.

Permits

New tile, backsplash and flooring on their own may not need a permit. Adding outlets in the backsplash or moving plumbing typically does. We confirm with the City of Gainesville or Alachua County when the job includes that work.