Just a little ceramic information to share as a potter. Vitrified simply means the clay has become glass like by being fired to its proper maturing temperature. Usually ceramic tile means it is a lower temperature clay like earthenware or terra cotta. Porcelain is fired to the highest temperature and is more vitrified if you will. This usually means it is less porous to to absorb water and harder. Low fired ceramics with glazes much darker or lighter than the clay body will show chips easier. Rectified has to do with making the edges precise enough to fit smoothly together for less grout lines. So porcelain cost more to produce but it is more sturdy. All clay tiles should be vitrified.

Tsilanko, I would always recommend professional installation where needed. But what I am doing here is suggesting that WHEN you are planning to build or renovate, to consider how your plans will affect you in 20 or 30 years time. Split levels are very hep when you are young. A kitchen 3 steps down at 30 is rarely a problem, but might be a hazard at 60, or, as Marjie1059 suggested, if you break a leg. ... All my parents' homes were terrible for old people. They were forced to move to a bungalow in extreme old sge because the location and design of their home was more suitable for an active young couple with a large family than for an elderly couple with stroke disabilities. I would not want to move again, so my present home has features built in that make ageing in place simpler. Mostly small changes, like grab rails, and lever handles on doors and faucets. A major disability suddenly suffered requires major changes if permanent. I did look at this because it came up in the discussion, but if you look at the heading, Planning for Disability, it means just that. Plan ahead so you don't have to make expensive changes later on. But thank you for your advice, yes, major changes are not in the DIY domain.

The DIY concrete floor finishing products are rarely up to "snuff" for a living situation. Most are meant to be put down in a garage where it doesn't matter if it bubbles and lifts in a year or two. Many have failed because of wrong application technique, wrong use, wrong product for the concrete, etc. A finished concrete floor in a new build is a great option. The concrete professionals will get the surface ready for polishing. The concrete floor finisher (may be a different person than the guy who installed the slab) will come in and clean/shot blast the concrete and add a layer of appropriate, high-end, high-density concrete. This concrete is then stained (if you want it) or if you want simply polished and coated with appropriate epoxy. It may take more than 1 application of the stain/epoxy to get the look you are after. This is not a "money" saving product...it is a lifestyle finish that is equal to (in price) other medium/high end finishes. It is very important to understand the quality of concrete seen with a normal slab/subfloor is NOT good enough to be polished and stained. That's why a new coating of high-end stuff is added to the slab. This high-end concrete has all the right properties to receive stain/polish/epoxy.

Your terrazzo flooring is one of the most durable floors but they need to be cleaned and sealed with a clear penetrating sealer to enhance their appearance and to prevent wear and tear. This is a hairline crack, simply sand the area with 80 grit paper, fill the crack with white portland cement, let dry, sand again with 200 grit paper, once satisfied apply concrete sealer.