PPOT really is a great place - thanks everyone. To answer:
- Underneath, the kitchen floor joists are supported by the sills and some posts. I don't have any reason to think the support is not sufficient. The kitchen floor doesn't sag, bounce, or squeak.
- I don't need the kitchen floor to be absolutely level with the adjacent floors, but I would like the difference to be less than it is now.
- Accepting that the original floor is toast, either tile or wood are my preference for a new floor. I think that a tile floor will be higher than a wood floor, even if I choose a thin tile, because tile needs plywood and backer - while hardwood could be laid on the plywood alone. Right?
- I'm not too worried about damage/wear to a wood floor. We use mats at all stations (range, prep, wash). I think some wood might be a nice contrast to the other materials in the kitchen.
- I gave my wife the choice of materials, and she chose copper as her #1 and stainless steel as her #2. I think copper will be too expensive and a maintenance hassle, and we have so many copper pots already. I think stainless will be functional, interesting, and make sense with the commercial appliances (True fridge, Hobart D/W, American range) and hood (CaptiveAire 5'). I won't mind scratches. The cabinets will be freestanding Shaker style, painted a vivid blue. Sort of like this, but open shelves not upper cabs.
- Is hardwood floor install a DIYable job?