The options for kitchen flooring are numerous from the practical to the beautiful to the really expensive. Again as with all kitchen remodeling decisions planning is the key to success. Essential to creating the most effective floor for you will be deciding what actually takes place in your kitchen and which material is going to provide not only excellent comfort but also durability.
The price of your flooring will no doubt play a significant role in your final decision so let’s look at the main materials. When you have compared the benefits of each option you’ll have a better chance of making the right decision.
Carpet
For people who spend a great deal of time on their feet in the kitchen, carpet could be an option. However the hygiene aspects are worth looking at, since spillages and food will not be easily removed. Stains also are much more visible than on any other floor covering. One really good option if you want a soft surface, would be to use easy-clean rugs in areas of constant use and go with a hard surface material for the floor itself.
Linoleum
The designs of today’s Linoleum are a far cry from those of yesteryear so this could be a suitable choice. It’s easy to clean although a shade more expensive than Vinyl.
Laminate
Laminate is a useful alternative to real wood at a fraction of the cost. Installation is easy and cleaning is no more difficult than with any other floor covering! Laminate floors are not as easily stained as real wood and wear well. A disadvantage is that if areas become severely worn or stained then you’ll need to replace the entire floor. However a good alternative to wood at an affordable price.
Tile
Tile is a very versatile choice for a kitchen floor. Three types… quarry, porcelain and ceramic will give you ample opportunity to match your overall design with a bewildering array of prices, sizes and colors. For a stain resistant floor covering you must opt for the glazed variety. As always with tiles, buying a few extra at the outset will enable you to replace one should it be damaged in use.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most versatile floor coverings since it’s relatively inexpensive and really easy to install. It also comes in many different styles and designs. It does however have the disadvantage of being susceptible to staining if you don’t mop up spillages quickly. It comes in sheets or in tile form.
Wood
Wood floors while very attractive to look at, have numerous disadvantages over the other floor covering materials. They stain easily and need substantial maintenance. They are also slippery when wet and perhaps the most expensive of all the materials available. The usual wood varieties for kitchen floors are pine, oak, bamboo or maple but think carefully before you choose this route for your new kitchen floor.
Assess the actual usage of your kitchen first and then evaluate the respective levels of durability. When you have done this you can look at your budget and make an informed decision as to your choice of floor covering.
