Best Flooring Options for Kitchens
When choosing a new floor for your kitchen, there are many factors that should be taken into account. Since the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, durability to withstand higher traffic is important. The floor should also be easy to clean because messes are bound to happen. Of course, your budget will be a concern when choosing flooring for any room.
There are other things to consider as well, which may be more or less important to you and your family. If you have an open floor plan, you may want to maintain one type of flooring throughout the kitchen and living space to avoid an unsightly transition in the middle of the floor. If you spend a lot of time cooking, you might want to choose a softer flooring option, which will be easier on your feet and joints. You might be going for a particular look that can really only be achieved with one particular type of flooring, in which case your decision will be relatively easy.
Some of the most popular flooring options for kitchens today include:
- Hardwood floors. They are extremely durable and have been known to last for generations. They are easy to clean; messes can be wiped up with a damp cloth or towel. Despite the name, this is one of the softer flooring options. They are also a great option for those with an open floor plan because they look equally good in a living area. Some people worry about damage from water or moisture, but today’s pre-finished hardwoods and engineered hardwoods actually stand up very well to water and changes in humidity.
- Vinyl floors. They top the list for durability and softness. They are also very budget friendly. Dirt and moisture can get under the flooring if you have any unsealed seams so use sheet vinyl instead of tiles and ensure that any seams remain well-sealed.
- Porcelain tiles are more durable than ceramic tiles. So if you like the look of tile for your kitchen and want the most durable option, then this is it. Porcelain tiles are extremely easy to clean. Grout lines, however, will likely need to be resealed periodically, which may be more maintenance than you would like. Keep in mind that tile floors are hard, so if you spend a lot of time standing in your kitchen, consider whether you will be happy with the end result.
- Stone floors can be expensive and heavy, but the finished product can be absolutely decadent in the right kitchen. If you are set on the look of stone, they have the added benefits of being extremely durable and easy to clean.
- Cork flooring is very soft, water-resistant and naturally slip-resistant due to its texture. It is also sustainably harvested, making it an eco-friendly flooring choice. The downside to cork is that its softness means it is less durable than the harder flooring options. It needs to be resealed periodically to protect it from scratches and wear.