When you’re planning a kitchen remodel, one of the most important considerations is the kitchen flooring. It needs to be durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, yet somewhat forgiving since you’re likely to be standing in the kitchen for extended periods of time. You’ll also want your kitchen floors to be aesthetically pleasing and fit with the rest of your kitchen. Fortunately, there are many different kitchen flooring options, to go with just about any interior design scheme. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular options.
- Hardwood: Classic and elegant, hardwood is also extremely durable and versatile. It doesn’t collect dust and allergens, and can be found in just about any color or stain you could want. Hardwood used to be considered a poor choice for kitchens because it’s not impervious to moisture. However, modern sealers and polyurethane finishes have made it more durable. Hardwood is easy on the feet and good for resale value, but it can become dented, scratched, and stained over time. If you like a well-used hardwood floor’s character, you can leave it alone, but it can also be sanded and refinished.
- Laminate: A cost-effective option, laminate looks like hardwood flooring and is easy to maintain. It is susceptible to water damage, though, and cannot be sanded and refinished the way hardwood can. Additionally, if you don’t invest in high-quality laminate, it can look cheap.
- Tile: Durable and beautiful, tile is easy to maintain and can create a stunning look in your kitchen. There are many different types of tile available, including ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone.
- Porcelain is stain resistant and good for high traffic areas, but needs periodic grout sealing. It’s stronger than ceramic tile because it’s fired at higher temperatures. It’s very hard, so it’s hard on the legs, and anything dropped on the floor is likely to break. It’s also not recommended for upper stories, because it’s very heavy.
- Ceramic tile is made from natural clay, and it’s an extremely durable flooring material. Available in many different colors and patterns, it can also take on the look of other materials like stone or wood. It can be cold and hard, and if it chips, the clay color within will be revealed.
- Stone tile is popular because it’s durable, long-lasting, luxurious, and adds to the value of your home. Depending on the type of stone, it has different properties. Granite stays beautiful for years if it’s properly maintained, limestone is pretty but too soft for busy areas in the kitchen, marble is elegant but prone to scratching and staining, sandstone has a soft, multicolored look, and while it doesn’t have the durability of granite, it’s suitable for kitchens. Travertine is very well-known, with a beautiful textured surface, but it’s not the most durable stone. Stone is expensive, but it’s unfortunately susceptible to water damage.
- Linoleum: The favorite of generations past, linoleum is making a comeback. It’s an environmentally friendly flooring, made of linseed oil, and it’s easy to maintain. It is susceptible to damage if the room is flooded, and if you don’t buy high-quality linoleum, the edges can curl. (We don’t use linoleum)
- Vinyl Plank: This flooring marries the look of hardwood with the durability of vinyl. It’s typically inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors, is waterproof, and stands up to heavy foot traffic.
- Cork: Naturally resistant to water, mold, and mildew, cork floors can last for up to 40 years with the right maintenance. The cost of cork tiles varies depending on the quality and thickness, but it’s a great kitchen flooring because it’s comfortable to stand on. Spills on cork should be cleaned quickly to avoid staining, and it doesn’t stand up well to heavy sun exposure. It’s not hard to install, so it’s DIY friendly.
- Sheet Vinyl: Another old favorite, sheet vinyl has been around for decades. It provides waterproof wall-to-wall protection, is easy to maintain, and doesn’t get cold in the winter. Heavy furniture and appliances can leave dents, however. Because it comes in large sheets, it must be professionally installed.
- Bamboo: Interestingly, bamboo is harder than hardwood, though it has the same look and feel. It’s resistant to water damage and very durable, but, unlike hardwood, it can’t be sanded and refinished. (We don’t use these either, a little wary of talking about certain products for remodeling that we don’t actually use in our remodeling)
When you’re looking for bathroom or kitchen remodeling in Arizona, trust the team at Re-Bath & Kitchens®. Having served homeowners in the area since 1978, our kitchen remodel contractors have the home design expertise needed to provide a wide range of bathroom and kitchen remodeling services. Our service is exceptional, and we deliver innovative, high-performance products in our four showrooms in Maricopa County and Northern Arizona. Visit one of our spacious showrooms, call us at 480-359-1778, or contact us through our website for more information.
