When renovating your kitchen, one of the aspects that you must focus on is the flooring. When choosing flooring options for your kitchen, you must consider its durability because it is a high-traffic room so it must handle regular wear and tear as well as food and liquid stains. Here at Casci DesignWorks, we will be sharing the best kitchen flooring options to consider. Make sure to keep reading below to find out more information.
Hardwood
This type of flooring is durable and classy. It is prone to moisture damage, but thanks to modern sealers and polyurethane finishes, hardwood flooring has now become more durable and long-lasting even in moisture-prone living areas such as kitchens.
- Pros – Soft underfoot, great resale value, can be sanded and refinished to make it look like brand new
- Cons – Easily dents, prone to scratches, difficult for DIY installation, expensive flooring option
Important note: When you choose hardwood flooring for your kitchen, it will change and deteriorate over time as spills and stains are common occurrences in that area.
Concrete
This type of flooring is recommended if you prefer an industrial theme for your kitchen. It is durable, low-maintenance, and easy to install. Make sure to consult the engineer if your home can support the weight of a concrete kitchen floor.
If your home does not have a basement and your kitchen is on the ground level, concrete is highly recommended for you. It is a cheap option, it will last for a long time, and it is easy to maintain. If a concrete slab is already in place, you can have a new pour on different subfloor surfaces.
Concrete flooring is versatile; it can be polished, stained, or designed according to your preference. Concrete kitchen floors are common in modern kitchens.
- Pros – Versatile, can be polished, stained, or designed according to your preference, commonly used in modern kitchens
- Cons – Hard material, cold underfoot, represents an urban or industrial style which can be challenging when selling your home in the future
Ceramic Tile
This type of flooring option provides a wide variety of available styles in the market. You can customize them to fit any living space. Ceramic tiles are widely used in kitchens because they are durable however they are hard underfoot. Grout lines can be a concern to some homeowners because they become dirty easily.
Ceramic tiles are made from natural clay that is shaped, glazed, and exposed to extreme heat. It is durable and hard and can handle moisture and stains making it a great kitchen flooring. It is resistant to heat and breakage and it can handle wear and tear. It can last for a long time with a little change to its surface and look over time.
- Pros – Available in different colors, designs, shapes, and sizes, easy to maintain, durable, can withstand moisture and stains
- Cons – Hard and cold underfoot, when chipped it will reveal its clay color
Cork
This type of flooring is eco-friendly. It is great for kitchens because it has a comfortable feel underfoot. It must be finished with sealers to keep it protected from spills and moisture. It can be refinished by sanding to remove its imperfections and staining or applying finish sealer to give it a fresh new look.
- Pros – Eco-friendly, easy to maintain, comfortable underfoot
- Cons – Prone to dog and cat nail scratches, heavy appliances can cause permanent divots, prone to discoloration when exposed to sunlight
Natural Stone
This type of flooring is durable and long-lasting. It is a popular flooring option for the kitchen because it can attract homebuyers if you plan to sell your home in the future. Here are some of the most popular natural stone options available to you.
- Granite – Available in tiles for flooring. It is durable, especially when properly sealed and maintained. It has veining that can be appealing to some homebuyers.
- Limestone – Beautiful but too soft for busy kitchens however it can be used in some kitchen areas that experience low foot traffic.
- Marble – Has elegant veining but is not recommended for kitchen flooring because it is prone to scratches and liquid stains.
- Sandstone – Has a soft multicolored look but varies in composition and density. Durable enough to be used for kitchen flooring.
- Slate – Sophisticated stone that can last for a long time when properly sealed and maintained.
Natural stones are porous which makes them prone to moisture and stains. To make sure that it lasts for a long time, a stone sealer must be applied regularly to protect them.
- Pros – Durable, easy to clean, increase the home’s value, because it has different veining it can give your home a unique look
- Cons – Porous, a bit expensive, some stones are brittle and can chip easily, prone to scratches
Linoleum
This type of flooring has been a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms up to the 1960s. Nowadays, it is making a comeback as a contender with vinyl flooring. It is made from all-natural linseed oil.
- Pros – Eco-friendly, easy to clean and maintain, comes in different colors and designs
- Cons – Prone to damage, easily scratches, susceptible to moisture and stains, edges are prone to curling
Vinyl
This type of flooring is considered the most versatile flooring option and it is easy to install. Vinyl is man-made using synthetic materials. It is durable and can withstand moisture, wear and tear, and stains. It is easy to clean using a broom, mop, and vacuum.
- Pros – Inexpensive flooring option for kitchens, DIY friendly, can be used for high-traffic areas of the kitchen, available in tiles and planks
- Cons – Wears and fades quicker especially with heavy use
Bamboo
This type of flooring is eco-friendly. It is hard like hardwood flooring. It is versatile, its look changes depending on the color, grain, and pattern.
- Pros – Resistant to moisture damage, durable flooring option
- Cons – Susceptible to scratches, difficult to refinish (will require professional assistance), more expensive than hardwood
Different types of bamboo flooring:
- Engineered bamboo – Flooring planks with a layer of bamboo and waterproof coating
- Solid bamboo – Consists of sliced bamboo bonded together. Not recommended for kitchen use because it is prone to moisture damage
- Strand woven – Durable and costly solid bamboo flooring. It consists of bamboo pulp that is pressed and formed into dense blocks and shaped into planks.
If you are searching for the best kitchen flooring options in Sacramento California, check out Casci DesignWorks for flooring options. You can reach out to us if you need help choosing the best flooring for your kitchen. Our owner and designer, Steve Frkovich, has more than 40 years of experience in the home design industry. You can contact us by calling us at 916-216-2786 or sending an email to sfcasci@gmail.com. Contact us today for a free consultation!