If you decide to redo your floor during your kitchen remodel, there are a few things that must first be considered. The kind of floor you choose must aesthetically complement the rest of your kitchen design, but it must also be able to endure the level of activity that occurs in your kitchen. If you’re an avid cook with a family that loves to eat in the kitchen, you need flooring that is durable and simple to clean. If your kitchen is used pretty infrequently, you may opt to focus more on the flooring design rather than the ease of cleaning.
With the large variety of flooring materials available today, making the right choice might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Here’s a bit of information to help guide your purchase.
- Linoleum Tile – Linoleum is a common flooring choice for kitchens because it is fairly inexpensive and quite easy to clean. It comes in a wide variety of designs so it can match just about any kitchen style.
- Ceramic Tile – Also a common flooring choice, ceramic has superior durability and is able to withstand a large amount of wear and tear. It also comes in a large variety of styles, including the option to add decorative edges. If you have children or elderly family members, it’s best to opt for a textured tile, as smooth tiles tend to become slippery when they’re wet.
- Wood – Wood flooring remains quite popular as it is extremely versatile and adds a touch of warmth to the room. Hardwood floors should always be finished with a protective finish such as polyurethane to help protect it against liquids and high foot traffic.
- Plastic Laminates – When wood flooring is too expensive of an option, high-pressured plastic laminate flooring provides great durability and offers the same look for less.
- Vinyl – For great durability, slip-resistance, and affordability, vinyl is a great choice. This layered flooring is available in tiles or sheets and a number of different designs and textures. Vinyl also tends to be fairly easy to clean and maintain.
- Limestone – Limestone is a natural stone that lends itself well to classic Old World designs. While it is a great addition to opulent showpiece kitchens, it probably isn’t the best bet for most everyday kitchens. Because it is very porous, it must be sealed upon installation, and then sealed again twice per year. Though there are many cheap limestone tile options available, these may not be suitable for a kitchen with lots of activity. The financial investment necessary for quality limestone and the additional maintenance may be a bit much for the average homeowner.
- Cork – For those seeking an environmentally-friendly alternative to common flooring materials, cork is a great option. It is quite versatile and can be fashioned into a number of interesting designs. In addition to offering durability and water resistance, its sound absorbing properties reduces impact noises.