Home Improvement

7 Best Kitchen Flooring Options to Consider for Your Remodel

If you’ve finally saved up enough money to start considering a kitchen remodel, you’re probably going through everything that you will need to purchase for the project to be successful. One very important aspect you cannot overlook is flooring. When it comes to kitchens, there are a few factors to take into account, such as durability, water resistance, maintenance, and design. With that in mind, let’s go over the seven most common types of floors found in the kitchen so that you can decide what would work best for your space.

Hardwood

Let’s start with a classic choice – hardwood. This is one of the most popular alternatives used in most parts of the home, and you can also use it in the kitchen. Hardwood can easily make your living space more inviting and high-end. Moreover, there are different stains of the wood that you can choose from so that it fits your home better. For example, lighter shades can make your kitchen look bigger but they can show dirt fast. On the other hand, darker woods can hide dirt and marks better. You can also look into getting wider boards instead of narrow planks, as the former option looks more contemporary, as well as different patterns such as herringbone. In terms of price, hardwood can be rather expensive but you can look into reclaimed wood that is eco-friendly and cost-effective. In addition, as solid wood needs special protection to not warp due to moisture, you can also look into engineered wood flooring that comes with a durable top layer. You want to clean up any spills immediately to prevent damage and clean it regularly with a damp mop. If you already have wood flooring, you can simply refinish it for a completely new space.

Vinyl

A cheaper alternative to hardwood floors can be vinyl. It comes in different shapes so there are sheets of vinyl as well as engineered vinyl planks (EVP). These are popular as they are able to mimic the look of hardwood and other flooring solutions such as stone. Moreover, they are completely waterproof, soft and warm underfoot, and easy to clean. If you opt for the sheet variety, there are also no seams that the water can seep through and damage the subflooring. The EVPs are also simple to install on your own, seeing as how they snap together. A drawback that you might not like is that it can be dented and scratched due to its softness, so you might notice some issues when moving around appliances.

Laminate

Another more affordable alternative that can mimic the look of hardwood is laminate. Furthermore, you can also easily install these planks by yourself, without any professional help, if you have the right tools. You should also know that laminate can be waterproof but not all varieties are – so, be careful when deciding what to purchase. As it is stain- and scratch-resistant, laminate can be a great solution for a busy kitchen that sees a lot of traffic. On the other hand, depending on the quality you get, it might not be as durable and it can peel, warp, and stain. For maintenance, you want to use a damp cloth and avoid getting the floor soaking wet.

Tiles

A go-to flooring option for high-humidity areas like kitchens and bathrooms is tile. They can be stone, ceramic, and porcelain and come in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns. That means that you are in no way restricted by choice. In addition to being waterproof, tiles are also quite durable. On the other hand, it’s not recommended to install tiles on your own and some types require a bit more upkeep, such as stone tiles. Moreover, to keep them stain-resistant, resealing the grout is also necessary. You might also not like the fact that they are cold and can get slippery when wet. To prevent incidents, it’s a good idea to get a few floor mats and place them in front of the sink, stove, and other potentially slippery areas. The price of tiles varies wildly, depending on the type, with stone tiles being more expensive.

Bamboo

Bamboo is another elegant flooring option you can consider. This is a great solution as it can be very pleasing to the eye and eco-friendly. Moreover, bamboo is soft underfoot, which makes it more ergonomic than some previously mentioned alternatives. You might also like the fact that it is quite low-maintenance. That being said, while bamboo can be durable, it can also warp due to high humidity so you might not want to opt for it if your climate doesn’t suit it.

Cork

Cork is quite inexpensive and DIY-friendly, so you can consider this if you’re working with a limited budget. There are a few different types that you can buy, such as glue-down, peel-and-stick, and snap-together assembly varieties. Plus, they come in the form of tiles and planks and shades like tan, grey, and brown. When it comes to the benefits, you’ll like that cork flooring is warm and soft to the touch as well as that it absorbs sound. In addition, it is a natural insulator, very eco-friendly, and naturally anti-microbial. There are a few cons too. For instance, heavy appliances can dent it although it will return to its original shape after a while, it can fade if exposed to sunlight for too long, and it’s not completely waterproof even though it can resist stains to a certain degree. You want a finish that will repel water. In terms of cleaning, spills should be wiped up straight away while a mop and soapy water are all you need to maintain it.

Concrete

Finally, you can also think about concrete. Although it might be too hard for some people, it’s durable and completely waterproof if properly sealed. You can stain it in several ways and have it resemble wood, stone, or some other alternative. The biggest advantage here is the price, which is contributing to its popularity. If it’s a bit too cold and hard for you, you can always add soft mats to the areas where you will be spending most of your time.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, you want the space to be functional and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, you cannot overlook the importance of choosing the right flooring. Keep these suggestions in mind. Looking for renovation services but on a budget? AC Vision offers affordable interior design packages such as for kitchen. Check them out today.

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