Choosing the right flooring for your kitchen can be a daunting task. It’s a room that gets a lot of use, with the potential for spills and messes that will ultimately land on the floor. It’s important to find a material that fits your budget, fits your use and is aesthetically pleasing.
Below is a guide to commonly found kitchen floor materials, with benefits and drawbacks for each.
Hardwood
The Good: First and foremost, hardwood flooring is a beautiful material that is very appealing to the eye and always seems to be in style. In addition, it’s extremely durable and can remain in place for a long time, proving that there’s some bite to its bark. It is also very easy to clean and can be sanded and refinished if needed.
The Bad: It is important to have a quality sealant on hardwood flooring, as large water-related incidents could damage it. Wood can also become sun bleached if unprotected areas face frequent exposure to the sun.
Laminate
The Good: Laminate has some pretty great qualities. It’s scratch resistant, so it can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use and still look great afterward. And if you’re looking for an affordable flooring option, laminate might the perfect match. Bonus: it can be installed over most existing floors.
The Bad: Unlike its hardwood counterpart, laminate cannot be sanded. Separation can occur between boards which can be a cause for concern if spills happen in the vicinity.
Bamboo
The Good: Due to being such a durable material, bamboo flooring can last for a long time. Additionally, it’s a renewable resource, making it an eco-friendly option for the environmentally savvy consumer.
The Bad: While bamboo floors are durable, they are vulnerable to scratches and dents if sharp objects come into contact with the tiles or planks.
Cork
The Good: If you’re environmentally conscious, cork is an extremely eco-friendly material for your kitchen floor, as it is harvested from the bark of trees. It is a softer material than wood or tile, and is slip resistant. Additionally, due to its softness, cork makes standing for long periods of time easier since it reduces back and leg fatigue.
The Bad: Cork flooring will likely have to be resealed every three to four years to protect against scratches and to prevent moisture from getting into seems between cork tiles. Cork flooring can wear unevenly if certain areas are more prone to heavy use or weight.
Vinyl
The Good: Vinyl is another affordable flooring option that is easy to clean and maintain, as it is waterproof and stainproof. It’s also a very soft material, making it a more comfortable option if you’ll spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
The Bad: Because vinyl flooring comes in sheets, there’s a possibility that you may get seams on the floor depending on the size and shape of your kitchen.
Linoleum
The Good: Linoleum is another earth-friendly material. It is made from linseed oil, which is extracted from flax seeds. When mixed, it is often mixed with other renewable and natural occurring materials. Linoleum comes in a variety of colors and designs, creating a lot of options for your kitchen construction or remodel project. It’s also affordable and water resistant, making it a solid choice for kitchen floors.
The Bad: Installation of linoleum floors is challenging; it needs to be cut and applied using a spread adhesive. They can also be stained, and in addition, permanently damaged if exposed to standing water for long periods of time.
Tile
The Good: Tile, including ceramic, porcelain and stone, is waterproof and does not require a lot of maintenance. It is an extremely tough flooring material, meaning it is a very durable option.
The Bad: Tile is tough, meaning it can be uncomfortable for your feet if you stand on it for long periods of time.
Whether you’re an environmentally conscious consumer, looking for a floor material that will keep up with heavy use or seeking a surface that is the envy of your friends, there is a flooring option to fit every style and every project.
