It is not uncommon for kitchen floors to become damaged over time. The flooring in this space has to handle spills, drips, heat, dropped utensils, and foot traffic. It must also look good while handling multiple hazards. Kitchen flooring options vary in durability and maintenance, and not all materials are well suited for this location. You must balance style, function, and comfort to make the right choice.
Among the most trafficked areas of your home is your kitchen, so here are different flooring options you should take into account.
Floor Types for Kitchen
Concrete
The advantages of concrete include its long-lasting nature and its affordability. An attractive kitchen floor can be created by polishing or staining concrete slabs. To maintain a concrete floor, you only need to mop it with soapy water once a week.
Polished and maintained concrete flooring can last a lifetime. Several exterior applications can also be achieved with this versatile material.
Wooden Flooring
Your kitchen will immediately look classic with solid hardwood kitchen tiles. The wooden flooring for the kitchen might warp over time if you live in a highly humid or coastal region. Moreover, wooden kitchen floors require periodic refinishing due to scratches and stains.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is hard, but it looks and feels like hardwood. Color, grain, and pattern can all affect the appearance of bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring resists moisture and water damage when turned into flooring. Because bamboo is considerably more durable than wood, it is becoming increasingly popular in kitchens.
In terms of bamboo flooring, there are three types:
Strand woven: This flooring is made from dense blocks of pulped bamboo shaped into planks and then pressed into blocks.
Engineered bamboo: Bamboo flooring topped with a waterproof coating added to flooring planks
Solid bamboo: It is not recommended for use in kitchens with moisture since the bamboo slices are bonded together.
There is a slight price difference between bamboo and hardwood flooring. Because the grain is not natural, the material is also harder to refinish. It is possible to refinish bamboo floors on your own, but it requires professional help.
Ceramic Tile
Natural clay is used to make ceramic tiles, which are then shaped, glazed, and fired at extremely high temperatures. Water and stains cannot penetrate its hard and durable surface, making it an ideal flooring material for kitchen floors. Heat and breakage are also resistant to ceramic tile. When properly maintained, ceramic tile lasts for indefinite periods of time without changing appearance or function.
Additionally, ceramic tiles can mimic the look of wood and stone, as well as a variety of colors and patterns. There are many design options available when it comes to tiles. It is perfectly fine to use porcelain tile as a substitute if you can’t find ceramic tiles in the color or design you want, though it can be more brittle than ceramic tiles.
Tiles made of ceramic have few drawbacks. There may be a feeling of hardness and coldness underfoot. A ceramic tile will reveal its clay color when chipped, whereas porcelain will remain consistent. Radiant heating systems can be installed beneath the tiles to remedy this issue.
Linoleum
The 1960s saw a rise in the popularity of linoleum as a floor covering for kitchens and bathrooms. With the introduction of other flooring options, its popularity faded. With vinyl flooring options available today, it is making a comeback.
Natural linseed oil makes linoleum sustainable, easy to maintain, and comes in neutral and vibrant colors. It is also available with borders and insects that are both elegant and practical. It is possible to have linoleum flooring for decades to come if it is properly cared for.
Kitchen flooring made of linoleum can be damaged by water if it is immersed in it due to a leak or flood. The best quality linoleum flooring will also prevent curling edges.
Vinyl
A vinyl kitchen floor is a versatile and easy-to-install flooring option. In terms of stain and damage resistance, this man-made material is nearly indestructible. Keeping the floor clean is as simple as mopping, sweeping, or vacuuming it.
All flooring materials can be installed easily and inexpensively with vinyl. Kitchens with high traffic, especially those that are often used by families, usually choose this option. As it wears and fades quickly with heavy use, it will need to be replaced every decade.
When it comes to vinyl flooring, you’re probably used to sheet or tile styles. But luxury vinyl flooring is a refreshing alternative. Vinyl planks and tiles are available in this new generation. In addition to lasting up to two decades, the high-quality material can replicate wood or stone in an amazingly convincing way. Many upscale homes use luxury vinyl flooring.
Vitrified Tiles
In the event that your budget won’t allow you to upgrade to granite or marble flooring, vitrified tiles are the next best choice. Their non-porous properties also make them ideal for kitchen flooring since they can resist staining and waterlogging.
Natural Stone
Kitchen flooring options made from natural stone are very popular, durable, and long-lasting. Natural stone floors add a touch of luxury to a kitchen, and when you put your house on the market, buyers are often attracted to them.
In terms of hardness, scratch resistance, and long-term durability, different types of stone will have different properties. This category includes the following flooring options:
Granite: Known for its attractive veining and durability over decades if sealed and maintained, it is available in tiles and slabs for flooring and countertops.
Limestone: In busy kitchens, it’s too soft for countertops, but it can be used as an accent in lesser-trafficked areas
Marble: While polished marble can easily be scratched and stained, it is known for its elegant veining
Sandstone: Although it doesn’t wear as well as some natural stones, it looks great in kitchens because of its soft multicolored look
Slate: When properly preserved and sealed, this stone can last for decades
Travertine: Natural stones with textured surfaces and Old World style are not the longest-lasting
In the kitchen, stone can be stained by water and liquids because of its porous nature, which is a drawback. The stone can be protected from the elements by applying a penetrating stone sealer annually. It is necessary to reapply sealers on a regular basis.
Marble Flooring
Along with wood kitchen floor tiles, marble kitchen floor tiles also convey a sense of refinement. Marble flooring for kitchen interiors looks elegant and organic because of its colors and variations.
Adding floor heating in colder regions may be necessary due to its inherently cold nature. It is important to note that some types of marble are prone to scratching and staining. For this reason, it is recommended to seal it regularly. It can also be relatively high maintenance to maintain marble flooring in kitchens.
Laminate Wood
Laminate wood gives the space a soft, modern touch as a highly affordable option for kitchen floor tiles. The top layer can withstand heavy wear and tear and is easy to install or replace.
A laminate flooring kitchen is not refinished able, unlike hardwood. When you have children or the elderly in your home, you should avoid using this type of flooring. It is recommended that a layer of anti-skid be applied to laminate flooring in Indian kitchens in order to make it safe for all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest kitchen floor to keep clean?
Kitchen flooring must be durable and easy to clean. Wood is also a good choice, along with linoleum and ceramic tile. A great advantage of linoleum is its affordability and ease of cleaning. It is also available in countless designs, making it a great surface. Even better are ceramic tiles.
What is the longest-lasting flooring?
There are few maintenance requirements for porcelain and ceramic flooring that last a long time. Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are great tile flooring spots because they are moisture resistant.
Wrapping Up
Family members spend a lot of time in the kitchen, which is seen as the heart of a home. There is more foot traffic on this floor of a home than on most others because of its frequent use. Material selection for kitchen floors should be based on durability and imperviousness.
We recommend starting with floor types for Kitchen while you are at it. If you would like to learn more about our flooring options, please contact us today.
