A Kitchen That Works LLC There a few factors to consider. Do you live in a cold climate? If so, wood is a better choice, jt is warmer unless of course you put radiant heat below the tile. Do you have a gravel driveway or a sandy beach near by? Then tile is a better choice because it will wear better than wood would from the grit. Do you have wood paneled ceilings and/or high ceilings? If so, you will get less sound reverberation from a wood floor than you would from a tile floor, Wood is a bit more forgiving if you drop things on it compared to tile.
If you live in a warm and humid climate, tile is a better options because wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.
Fiorano Tile Showrooms Tile is very practical. Check out tile that looks like wood. It will last FOREVER with ZERO maintenance! Real wood is nice, but could have some drawbacks. Instead of expensive hydronic radiant heat, get electric floor warmer that gets installed under the tile. ("Warm Floors" is one brand) Draws very little energy and makes the floor comfy to walk on. This is not to replace your regular heating system. Those companies can estimate the energy costs per year, and claim it is not much. (John Tudisco Fiorano Tile Showrooms Long Island NY)
Dytecture I agree about tiles feeling cold and hard on the feet. If the rest of the house is wood flooring it's best to keep the kitchen the same for consistency.
Cancork Floor Inc. Cork flooring is a lovely alternative to either. It is beautiful, warm, comfortable and wears very well. It comes in a click-together floor (most can be sealed for use in kitchens) or a glue down tile that is 100% cork that, when site finished with a few more coats of polyurethane is water proof...just like tile. It can be installed over radiant floor heat - click-together OR glue down.
It is affordable - glue down tile has same installation price as tiles and floating floor has same installation price as a laminate floor.
If you find a direct distributor, like www.icorkfloor.com, then you will spend less than either the wood floor OR tiled floors.
I find tile to be hard and cold, but I don't like to wear shoes inside. Wood is much softer and warmer underfoot. We have maple floors in our kitchen.
If you live in a warm and humid climate, tile is a better options because wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity.
It is affordable - glue down tile has same installation price as tiles and floating floor has same installation price as a laminate floor.
If you find a direct distributor, like www.icorkfloor.com, then you will spend less than either the wood floor OR tiled floors.