If you’re looking to install new kitchen flooring, there are a huge number of options available to suit your lifestyle and visual tastes. When deciding on what type of flooring works best in your kitchen, you should carefully consider what you can afford, what your kitchen usage is like, what you’re able to maintain, and what simply looks the best to you. Here’s a little primer on some of the best types of kitchen flooring.
Stone
Some of the most popular types of stone for floors are marble, limestone, slate, and granite. Granite makes appearances on many professional kitchen floors, though all types are commonly found as countertops in homes everywhere. Stone is the longest lasting of all flooring types, though depending on the type of stone used, regular maintenance is required to prevent scuffs and scratches.
Stone is one of the most attractive and practical options for your kitchen and can reliably raise the resale value of your home because of its appearance and endurance.
However, it’s not a perfect option for everyone – notably, a stone is expensive and tricky to install. Its durability and smoothness can also be downsides. Those with mobility issues or those who are otherwise prone to falling may find stone surfaces too slippery or uncomfortable.
Wood
Wood flooring is a becoming an increasingly popular choice for kitchen floors, and for good reason. Wood is attractive and timeless, matching any style of decor, whether classic or modern. There are a variety of types available, ranging from solid hardwood planks, which are pricey but can last a lifetime, to wood laminate, which is cheaper and mimics the appearance of real wood.
One of the biggest concerns homeowners may have about hardwood is its resistance to water damage. Fortunately, if the wood is sealed properly and spills are mopped up immediately, there is little risk for water damage. Of course, wood is susceptible to wear and tear over time, especially in high traffic and high use areas, so be prepared for some light maintenance as the years go by if you want to keep your wood floors in their best condition.
Vinyl
Vinyl tiles are a floor covering made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Tiles of it are set down individually, making them a simple project for DIYers. Sheets can also be cut to fit a kitchen of any size, but these are more difficult to install than tiles.
The biggest draws of vinyl flooring are its low cost and easy-to-maintain nature. Vinyl is painless to clean and famous for being waterproof, making it the perfect option for kitchens that see a lot of spills.
Of course, there are downsides to vinyl: it may be cheap, but it’s not very long-lasting. Many varieties are prone to fading over time, and while vinyl is mostly resistant to scratches, it can be punctured and dented. Dirt, grime, and oil can also build up over time, leading to a yellowish tinge that can appear on light colored vinyl.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy flooring is most commonly seen in garages and hospitals due to its durability, easy maintenance, and resistance to spills and stains. Those same reasons are what make it perfect for kitchens!
Epoxy resin is a special polymer that’s mixed with a hardener. The installation process is easy but can be a little longer when drying and setting. After a floor surface is cleaned and prepped, the coating is blended and rolled on. A second coat can be applied to add color flakes or a non-skid grip. When applied professionally and let to dry completely, epoxy floorings can last decades.
Epoxy floors come in a variety of colors, tints, and designs to suit any aesthetic preference. Its glossy nature reflects sunlight in a way no other flooring type can. When it comes down to it, epoxy is one of the most versatile and resistant varieties of flooring available for any type of kitchen.
