Besides your cabinetry, flooring will be one of your most significant decisions when building or remodeling your kitchen. Deciding on the right flooring choice for your kitchen depends on several variables. Like other design elements, you need to weigh and balance the importance of each: style, functionality, durability, aesthetics, cost, etc.
With so many flooring choices available, it can be overwhelming to come up with the best fit for your kitchen and your needs. To help you along the way, we have created this handy two-part post describing the advantages (and disadvantages) of various types of flooring on the market today. So take a look and see which floor might work best for you!
Wood Flooring
Popular wood flooring choices include maple, oak, pine, and bamboo. Wood floors are installed before cabinets and often laid out in narrow strips, planks or patterned parquet squares.
Advantages
- Available in a variety of colors, looks and finishes
- Simple to keep clean with broom or vacuum (if the floor is polyurethane-coated)
- Quite durable
Disadvantages
- Fading: must be careful where rugs and mats are laid out.
- Warping and buckling when moisture is contained between boards
- Often expensive
- Needs to be refinished to eliminate major marks and scratches
- Can be slippery
Tile Flooring
Many different styles of tile flooring are available including ceramic, porcelain, mosaic and quarry tile. These tiles are laid and assembled using grout.
Advantages
- Comes various colors, designs and sizes
- Durability
- Stain resistant (if glazed)
- Suitable for radiant heat
Disadvantages
- Can be hard on the feet
- Slippery and more dangerous to fall on
- Can be pricey
- Individual tiles can crack over time
- Unglazed tile needs to be treated periodically with sealants
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a good budget-conscious alternative. It is scratch resistant and softer than tile or hardwood, easier on the feet and gives dropped dishes a better chance for survival!
Advantages
- Variety of colors and designs
- Less expensive than alternatives
- Soft on feet and dishes
- Requires very little maintenance
- Scratch, scuff and stain resistant
Disadvantages
- Easily dented by furniture, heels and other objects
- Peeling can occur
- Cheaper look and feel than more expensive alternatives
Stone Flooring
The stones that are often used for kitchen floors include slate, marble and granite. They offer an elegant and durable look, but often come with a hefty price tag.
Advantages
- Very durable
- Can be used over a radiant heat system
- Elegant and high quality look and style
Disadvantages
- More expensive
- Slippery and can be dangerous to fall on
- Stones can chip
- Stains and dirt often show on light colored grout between the stones
- Must apply sealants periodically to prevent stains
- Stone can be cold and uncomfortable on the feet
Check out Part 2 of this series for information on additional flooring types!
Tags: Flooring, Hardwood Floors, Kitchen Design, Kitchen Flooring, Kitchen Floors, kitchen makeover, kitchen planning, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, merillat, Stone Flooring, Tile Flooring, Vinyl Flooring