At one time, tile and linoleum were the only two options in kitchen flooring, but nowadays, contractors offer a wide variety of alternatives for one of the busiest rooms in the house.
Here’s a look at both traditional and innovative flooring
choices that will make the heart of your home a welcome, yet functional
masterpiece.
The Classics
Ceramic Tile
Perhaps the quintessential option for kitchen flooring, ceramic tile is durable, cost-effective and versatile. With a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and patterns, it’s easy to find a ceramic tile that fits your décor.
Pros: Durable, Resistant to
dents, water and stains. Easy to clean. Affordable. DIY-friendly.
Cons: Tile may crack as floor
settles, and low quality tiles may chip. Dropped dishes will almost certainly
break. Can be cold and hard on the feet. Grout needs to be sealed periodically.
Cost: $3 to $8 per square foot.
Linoleum
Wildly popular in kitchen flooring during the first half of
the 20th century, linoleum seemed to peak in the 1950s. Thanks to
environmentally conscious homeowners, however, it’s making a comeback. Great
for old-fashioned cottages and midcentury interiors, this all-natural material
will give your kitchen that retro-chic look.
Pros: Style and color versatility. Affordable. Durable. Easy
to clean. Comfortable to stand on. Can
last 40 years or more.
Cons: Can wear and fade with time and use. Requires
professional installation. Requires periodic waxing and polishing. Not appropriate
for luxury décor.
Cost: $2 to $7 per square foot.
The Avant Garde
Wood
Since modern floor plans are more open, wood floors are becoming more popular in kitchens. Wood is naturally warm and inviting, so it fits with almost any décor and makes a great flooring choice if you want to complement both a living and cooking space.Pros: Never goes out of style. Can be sanded and refinished to maintain a fresh look. Renewable and recyclable. Is warm underfoot and easy on the legs.
Cons: Liquid can damage wood if not cleaned up immediately. Dents and scratches easily.
Cost: $4 to $12 per square foot.
Bamboo
One of the hottest trends in kitchen flooring, bamboo has
the look of wood, but is even more eco-friendly. Bamboo is perfect for a warm, tropical
or Asian vibe, but be sure to look for bamboo that has been treated with
natural-based adhesives, rather than the toxic substance, formaldehyde.
Pros: Low maintenance. Highly sustainable. Naturally
anti-bacterial. DIY-friendly. Cons: Narrower range of color choices. Can warp in high-humidity climates. Can be more expensive than laminate.
Cost: $4 to $9 per square foot.
Concrete
Once found only in basements and under carpets, concrete has
come a long way in recent years as an out and proud flooring option. No longer
limited to the dullest shade of gray, concrete can now be stained, stamped,
scored and acid-etched to create visual interest in your industrial-chic, edgy kitchen.
Pros: Slow to heat up, helps kitchen stay at a comfortable
temperature. Easy clean up. Resistant to chipping and fading. Acid-staining can
mimic tile, marble, slate and hardwood.
Cons: Requires professional installation. Cold and hard on
the feet. Cost: $2 to $15 per square foot.
Sources: “Top Five
Flooring Types” by Juan Rodriguez, “Solid and Engineered Wood Flooring” by Bob
Formisano, “Kitchen Flooring 101: Find Your Material Match” by Lisa Frederick, “Kitchen
Flooring Essentials” by Alicia Garceau, “Fresh Flooring Options for Kitchens”
by Katie Allison Granju, HGTV.com, “Kitchen Flooring Buying Guide” by Allegra Muzzillo, DIY Life
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