You can cover ceramic tile with almost any flooring after proper preparation to smooth the surface and achieve an installable substrate for the new flooring.

I'm building a new home too--my 2nd. In my current home I have tile through much of the first floor--ours is glazed ceramic in a warm color (red clay--w/more orange/pink than usual). Yep, it's cold--but even in my northern climate that doesn't phase me. I personally don't find it colder than the wood, but I don't walk around w/bare feet. I think the warm color makes it look warmer in the home--I think the look depends on the tile color, reflectiveness, etc. I have laminate wood floors in other parts of the house--bedrooms--so I can do the comparison for you. YOu have to go w/your own taste, but I'll tell you about cleaning. NOTHING is easier to clean than the tile floor--it is a miracle--it actually improved my marriage. We had carpet before I walked around angry because it was so dirty from pets coming in and out, boots, etc. I think I love my husband and kids more now that I have tile. ( ; I'm kidding, of course, but I'm not stressed when the dog runs in w/out getting her feet cleaned--it's nothing to clean-up wet mud--like cleaning a kitchen surface--spray w/vinegar and wipe--clean! The laminate wood scratches, but other than that, it's held up remarkably well to bad things like cat vomit sitting all day. Personally, I don't think it looks as expensive as the tile--and for us, it wasn't. You said one thing that really surprises me--that the tile is less expensive. In my experience, laminate wood is less expensive, installed, than tile. I'm thinking of using thread bamboo--see my earlier post re this. I think it might be a happy medium for us--more durable and cleanable than than regular wood or laminate wood--and a different look than tile. I'm sad about not using the tile--however, I'm hoping the bamboo is a good choice as well. Good luck!

I was interested in this, too. However, if you read the FAQ, it only claims to alter the tile's coefficient of friction when wet. It says it will not change the slipperiness of the dry tile. I am debating using some epoxy grout, and just not cleaning it up off the surface totally. Any thoughts on that harebrained idea?

ok,,that's what I thought. then I think you may have a problem. not many people know that these tiles MUST be sealed before install. they are very porous. when the grout goes on, it should not be spread out over the tiles like regular tiles, especially if not sealed. the tile absorbs the grout material and it can stain. Now I don't know if this was done to yours, but you could try some grout release and see if it cleans up. you need to ask,,, were the tops (seal tops only, not the sides) of these tiles sealed before installed? a way to find out is water should bead up on the tiles. if the water absorbs, not sealed. when the tile setter installed them on the wall, did he dunk them in water first? if not, a dry cement tile will quickly suck up all the water from the mortar and possibly lead to poor adhesion. what kind of grout was used? here, read this page for more info. look at the grouting and sealing heading. read carefully: https://www.cementtileshop.com/INSTALL.html If that tile is discolored and won't clean up, hurry up and take it off before it hardens and cures. replace w/a new tile. wash all those tiles well, let dry and seal multiple times (every 24 hrs or so) until no more sealer is absorbed.