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The kitchen has become the center of the modern home, not just a cooking space, but also a meeting place for family and friends and a hub for activities. With everything going on in today’s kitchen, it’s critical that the floor withstand high foot traffic and all of the inevitable spills and splashes. It also has to match your personal style and budget. Balancing these needs can be difficult. That’s why we’ve created a guide to help you find only the best kitchen flooring for your family. Read on for the most important characteristics of a kitchen floor and which options fit the bill.
Critical Criteria
Please note the following when shopping on the floor:
- Durability: Choose a floor that is tough enough to survive your lifestyle, withstand frequent spills without staining, and withstand dropped pans without damage.
- Water resistance: Your kitchen is a “half-wet” room, so the floor you choose should not be damaged by the occasional glass of juice spilled.
- Scrubbable: Clutter always seems to end underfoot, so the best kitchen floor is one that is easy to keep clean.
- Design friendly: When all is said and done, you want your kitchen to look just as good as the rest of your home. With today’s flooring options, you can have an attractive kitchen floor that is boot resistant.
Flooring manufacturers offer a wide range of materials that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The following five floor coverings are high on the most coveted list for modern kitchens. Start here when planning your kitchen replay and you are sure to find one that suits your needs.
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Photo: istockphoto.com
Sheet of vinyl
Advantages: Waterproof, washable, comfortable underfoot and inexpensive
Disadvantage: Heavy devices can leave indentations (avoidable with coasters under the device legs)
Vinyl wraps have been around for decades and they just got better. The fact that it is one large sheet, unlike small, glue-down tiles, means there are no seams for water to penetrate the subfloor. Vinyl film provides wall-to-wall waterproof floor protection that is always welcome in busy kitchens where a lot of spillage occurs.
Vinyl floors don’t get cold in winter (like ceramic tiles, for example) so they’re comfortable underfoot all year round. It’s also easy to maintain; Regular sweeping and occasional mopping with an all-purpose vinyl floor cleaner is sufficient.
Vinyl films are available in a variety of patterns and colors. The thicker the vinyl, the more durable and expensive. Expect $ 0.50 to $ 10 per square foot depending on the quality. A professional install will add an additional $ 1 to $ 3 per square foot. A pro installation is recommended as the vinyl sheet needs to be cut perfectly to the exact dimensions of the room and then carefully glued and rolled with a heavy press to avoid air bubbles.
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Porcelain tile
Advantages: Extremely durable, waterproof, dirt-repellent and well suited for high-traffic areas
Disadvantage: Grout needs to be sealed regularly to avoid staining
Porcelain tile is tough to beat for ultimate durability. Porcelain looks similar to ceramic, but is fired at higher temperatures, which makes it stronger and more resistant to damage. It’s available in a variety of sizes and shapes, from 6-inch squares to 18-inch planks that mimic hardwood. Like other hard floor coverings, porcelain can be slippery when wet and is extremely hard – glasses and plates that fall on the floor are likely to break.
Porcelain tiles are heavy and add a significant amount of weight. Therefore, it is usually not recommended for floors on the second floor. If you have any questions about whether your flooring system is suitable for installing the tiles, contact a technician or reputable tiler. Depending on the brand and quality, you will pay $ 3 to $ 8 per square foot for porcelain tile and an additional $ 5 to $ 10 for professional installation. If you’re not familiar with laying tiles, it’s best to leave this job to the professionals. For the installation of porcelain, a special pad and thin mortar is required.
Although porcelain tiles are easy to clean with an all-purpose floor cleaner and a damp mop, the mortar between tiles should be sealed with a mortar sealer every three to four years to reduce the risk of staining.
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Engineered Vinyl Plank (EVP)
Advantages: Waterproof, DIY-friendly, very similar to real wood floors
Disadvantage: Heavy equipment can leave you feeling depressed
Engineered Vinyl Planks (EVP), one of the newer floor coverings on the market, are getting a lot of attention. The boards, which are similar to hardwood, are completely waterproof. On the surface of the plank is a layer of luxury vinyl bonded to a waterproof core that is lightly padded to give the floor a soft feel underfoot.
Like other technical floors (laminate floors or floating floors), EPP planks are not attached directly to the sub-floor. Instead, the planks snap together, making the installation DIY-friendly. Installing EVP yourself will save you money: the flooring costs $ 5 to $ 7 per square foot and includes installation instructions. If you choose to have a professional install, expect another $ 3 to $ 6 per square foot. Unlike many other floor coverings such as vinyl panels or tiles, EVP can be installed directly over existing tiles, concrete or linoleum.
In terms of cons, EPP is not as tough as porcelain. Sliding a heavy refrigerator across the surface can scratch it. Use caution when moving heavy equipment. However, it’s a breeze to clean with just a mop dampened with soapy water.
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Stone tile
Advantages: Adds a natural, unique atmosphere (no two tiles are the same), non-slip surface
Disadvantage: Expensive and can stain without regular sealing
If you want natural floors at all costs, take a look at stone tile. You’ll pay $ 6 to $ 16 per square foot, depending on the type of stone, and allow for an additional $ 5 to $ 10 per square foot for professional installation. Hiring a professional tiler is highly recommended due to the special underlay and fertilizer required. Even slight variations in the thickness of the mortar or not using the correct product can cause stone tiles to flake.
Natural stone tiles add beauty to every kitchen and, in contrast to manufactured tiles, are by and large non-slip due to their semi-porous surface. Depending on the type of stone you choose, choose from a handful of natural tan, gray, red and brown tones. The following types of stone are commonly available in floor tiles:
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- Travertine is smooth underfoot, non-slip and available in light to medium soft earth tones.
- marble is very hard and can be polished to a high gloss. Unfortunately, it can also be slippery when wet. Marble comes in a variety of colors including green, brown, gray, and black with pink, red, gold, and burgundy veins.
- slate is one of the best kitchen floors for a number of reasons, but most importantly because it’s non-slip and very durable. It is available in the colors blue, gray, red and orange and has attractive cores in the same colors.
- granite Tiles are very tough, which makes them a good choice for high traffic areas. It comes in deep grays, blacks, tans, and mottled whites. Granite is scratch resistant and can be polished to a high gloss. The higher the gloss, the greater the slip factor.
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Natural stone tile comes in two-inch squares for a mosaic look and up to 18-inch squares for a sleeker design. Clean your stone tile floor with a damp mop and soapy water. Every two to four years, follow the tile manufacturer’s recommendations for sealing the floor to protect it from stains and discoloration.
Photo: homedepot.com via Heritage Mill Wood Flooring
cork
Advantages: Budget-friendly, DIY-friendly, warm and padded feel underfoot
Disadvantage: Can be scratched by heavy objects
Cork floors are a relatively new addition to the flooring market and are quickly becoming a preferred choice for those who want a warm, soft floor at an affordable price. Expect $ 3 to $ 8 per square foot for square or plank shaped cork tiles. Cork tiles can be installed by an avid homeowner – they’re available in peel-and-stick, glue, or snap-on mounts. If desired, a professional install can cost an additional $ 2-4 per square foot.
This floor is made from ground cork that is combined with resins and then pressed into solid tiles. It is available in various gray, brown and brown tones. While cork floors can press down under the legs of heavier equipment, the indentations will return to their original state over time. Cork flooring is soft underfoot and slightly springy. It reduces sound transmission, making it a good choice for homes with a living area under the kitchen. Cork floors are dirt-repellent, but not dirt-repellent. Spilled wine that is not wiped off immediately can stain. One of the cool things about cork, however, is that it can be reworked by sanding the surface and then applying stains and a sealant.
Cork can fade in direct sunlight. Protect your floor with curtains or blinds. Cleaning is easy; Wipe up spills immediately and, if necessary, wipe off with soapy water. Then, wipe the floor with a clean, dry microfiber mop to remove excess water.
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