The kitchen is truly the crowning jewel of your house. Besides adding new cabinets, appliances, and other functions to your kitchen, upgrading your kitchen flooring is a great way to remodel this vital room in your house.
Upgrading your kitchen floor offers the following benefits.
- It helps increase the resale value of your home.
- It also adds a statement to your interior.
- The new look and feel can bring your whole kitchen and house together.
- It can fix functional issues like cleaning, scrubbing, and slippery or squeaky floorboards.
- In the long run, it can also prevent some health issues like allergies and dust, especially if you had a carpet installed.
To get maximum benefits and the best return on your investment, you have to choose the right type of kitchen flooring. As there are plenty of kitchen flooring options to choose from, this is often a daunting task for homeowners. At the end of this post, however, you will have a clear idea of which flooring is best for kitchen.
So, without further delay, let’s dive into it.
A. Things You Need to Consider When Choosing the Kitchen Flooring
When it comes to kitchen flooring options, you need to consider few things. Each type of flooring comes with its own benefits and shortfalls. Keeping the following things in mind will help you make the right choice.
1. Durability
Let’s face it. Your kitchen floor needs to survive considerable damage, ranging from spills to dropped pots and pans. It will also require frequent cleaning and even scrubbing, using detergents and soaps. If you have kids, messy kitchen floor will be an inevitable part of your life.
In other words, durability is going to be a critical factor when looking at different types of kitchen flooring. Make sure to consider your lifestyle and kitchen usage before you head out for shopping.
2. Water Resistance
3. Scrubbable
4. Design Friendly
B. Kitchen Flooring Options
In short, the best flooring for kitchen is durable, water resistant, and scrubbing and design friendly. Are there any kitchen flooring options that satisfy all these criteria?
Let’s check out.
a) Porcelain
These tiles are made from porcelain which is fired at high temperature. They come in different shapes, sizes, designs, and colors.
Pros
- Easy to clean.
- Extremely durable.
- Waterproof.
- Stain resistant.
- Suited for high-traffic areas like kitchen.
Cons
- They are heavy.
- Grout needs periodic sealing to prevent stains.
Cost: $3-$8/sq ft (installation extra)
b) Ceramic
Pros
- Extremely durable.
- Come in different colors, shapes, and sizes
- Resistant to heat and breakage.
- Stain resistant.
- Resistant to water and stains.
Cons
- It can be somewhat cold.
- High-end mosaics may be expensive.
Cost: $2-$30/sq ft (installation extra)
c) Stone
Stone tiles are popular for their rich natural look. They also come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Most popular stone materials include granite, slate, marble, and travertine.
Pros
- The natural designer look is unbeatable.
- Virtually unlimited options and colors.
- Increases resale value of your home.
- Very durable.
- Non-slippery surface.
Cons
- Regular sealing is required to prevent staining.
- Very expensive.
- They are heavy.
- Require expert installation.
Cost: $6-$16/sq ft (installation extra)
2. Laminate
Laminate is one of the best DIY flooring options for kitchen. Today’s laminate flooring offers virtually unlimited design and color options. The best part is it can imitate wood flooring very well.
Pros
- The edges of laminate tiles can snap together, making them an easy DIY kitchen flooring option.
- The tough wear layer is durable and can withstand scrubbing and cleaning.
- The tiles are lightweight.
- You can install laminate on the existing floor.
- Reasonably priced.
- Looks like natural wood.
Cons
- The average lifespan is 10-30 years.
- The surface may feel hard on feet.
- Once damaged, you can’t repair it.
- Not moisture-resistant.
Cost: $1-$5/ sq ft (installation extra)
3. Vinyl
a) Engineered Vinyl Plank
It resembles hardwood flooring. Usually, there is a layer of luxury vinyl bonded to the waterproof core. It offers a soft surface and a luxurious look.
Pros
- Waterproof,
- DIY-friendly,
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Rich look.
Cons
- Heavy appliances or furniture may leave depressions or dents over time.
Cost: $5-$7/ sq ft (installation extra)
b) Vinyl Sheet Flooring
If you want wall-to-wall waterproofing in your kitchen, this is the flooring you need. It also doesn’t get cold during winters. You can choose from a wide range of colors, designs, and shapes.
Pros
- Water-resistant.
- Easy to scrub and clean.
- Comfortable underfoot.
- Affordable.
Cons
- Heavy appliances and furniture will leave depressions or dents over time.
Cost: $2-7/ sq ft with life time warranty (installation extra)
4. Bamboo
Although it is not often considered a luxury kitchen flooring, it has a fan following. This type of flooring is engineered, which means bamboo shreds get pressed together using glue and heat.
Pros
- High-quality bamboo flooring is quite durable.
- Easy to clean and mop.
- Looks like hardwood flooring.
Cons
- Requires mild soap for cleaning.
- Cheaper variants are susceptible to scratches and dents.
- Limited tones and shades are available.
Cost: $3-$5/sq ft (installation extra)
5. Concrete
Concrete is one of the best kitchen flooring options for ground-floor kitchens. If you already have a concrete slab, you can polish, stain, and treat it, turning it into a designer looking flooring. If there is no slab, you can pour fresh concrete for flooring.
Pros
- Unlimited and elegant design options.
- Low maintenance.
- You can add radiant floor for freshly poured concrete flooring.
- Available from cheap to expensive variants.
Cons
- It feels hard and cold underfoot.
- Moisture can sip from underneath, causing damage.
- It can crack over time.
Cost: $2-$30/sq ft
6. Wood
A luxury kitchen flooring, wood adds a rich and sophisticated look to your kitchen. It also comes in different colors, shapes, sizes, and designs.
Pros
- It has a rich appearance.
- Hardwood flooring is usually durable.
- Warm and soft underfoot.
- Plenty of finishing options.
Cons
- Not water-resistant.
- Requires regular maintenance.
Cost: $15 – $20/ sq ft (installation extra)
Conclusion
As the kitchen is at the heart of your house, adding modern and stylish kitchen flooring is a must when renovating. Fortunately, there are several options suitable for various budgets and interiors. Hopefully, this short post will help you understand the pros and cons associated with each kitchen flooring option. That, in turn, will help you make a well-informed decision.