When remodeling their kitchen, many people forget to ask, “What is the best flooring for a kitchen?” They don’t think about the floors that make up a large portion of the room. Flooring helps add to a room’s aesthetic appeal.
Along with boosting a kitchen’s visual appeal, the correct type of flooring combats issues like spills and splashes. The right kitchen flooring is durable and pleasing to the eye. It’s also easier to stand on for longer periods of time, whether due to cooking or spending time with loved ones.
However, with so many kitchen flooring options, choosing the right one is easier said than done.
This comprehensive guide details some of the best flooring options for kitchens, factoring in functionality, visual appeal, and costs.
Why Kitchens Need Quality Flooring
People use kitchens more and harder than many other rooms. Homeowners use their kitchens daily, and activities like storing and preparing food, washing dishes, and making ice create plenty of moisture, spills, stains, and other possible damages.
Moisture affects every surface of your kitchen, including the flooring. Unfortunately, eliminating water is virtually impossible in a kitchen, making waterproof (or highly water resistant) floors a near necessity.
Moisture creates potential problems like attracting pests, mold growth, and creating slippery surfaces. Additionally, foot traffic from kids, adults, and pets makes your floors prone to added moisture, grime, scuffs, and scratches.
The right flooring options for kitchens account for and combat these issues.
The Kitchen Flooring Options We Recommend
To answer your question, “What is the best flooring for a kitchen” we’ll explore seven options:
1. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring remains popular due to its ability to mimic decorative designs and colors reminiscent of hardwood flooring at a fraction of the price. However, one disadvantage is that traditional laminate isn’t waterproof.
Today, thankfully, waterproof laminate flooring for kitchens exists!
Made with a durable, waterproof core, these laminate floors prevent moisture damage while offering the same flexibility as the traditional laminate flooring.
2. Hardwood Flooring
There are several reasons hardwood flooring has been used in kitchens and other areas of the home for centuries. For one, it’s a timeless style that may never go out of fashion. Today, hardwood flooring offers far many more choices than centuries ago.
Hardwood floors offer better protection, along with more modern designs brushing alongside vintage looks. While not waterproof, the proper finish adds a level of water resistance.
Widening or lengthening wood planks or adding distressed or hand-scraped finishes makes these floors less slippery. Using recycled or reclaimed wood also offers a more environmentally conscious choice.
3. Stone Tile
For a more elegant touch, stone tile is an excellent type of flooring. Although it’s more expensive and requires an expert to set and seal it to prevent staining, stone tile makes kitchens pop. Different stone tile types include:
- Marble: Purchase marble in various color schemes, including gray, brown, green, red, gold, etc. Marble is slippery when wet, however, so it requires extra caution when mopping.
- Granite: This tough stone is ideal for kitchens with lots of foot traffic. This material also prevents scratching.
- Travertine: Travertine offers excellent slip-resistance, is smooth to walk on, and is available in different color tones.
- Slate: Homeowners often choose slate due to its slip resistance and durability. Choose colors such as red, orange, gray, and blue along with elegant veining.
4. Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Ceramic tiles are both an affordable and durable flooring for kitchens. These manufactured tiles use natural materials like clay and are available in many colors, styles, and designs. Along with variety, ceramic tiles provide excellent protection against stains and spills.
Many homeowners choose porcelain tiles—a type of ceramic tile. Porcelain is entirely waterproof and combats virtually any stain.
Like all ceramic tiles, manufacturing porcelain involves an extensive baking process. However, porcelain bakes at a higher temperature than other ceramics, increasing overall durability. This durability not only curbs wear and tear but also offers additional slip resistance.
Ceramic and porcelain designs often resemble natural stone or wood for homeowners wanting a more elegant look, but without the hefty installation or maintenance costs.
5. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring has surged in popularity in the last few years, but many people remain unaware of this kitchen flooring option. Today, top-notch vinyl flooring is available in either LVT or LVP. LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile, while LVP stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank.
Choosing vinyl in plank or tile form usually boils down to personal taste. Additionally, terms like WPC and SPC refer to the type of core composing your vinyl flooring (stone and plastic versus stone dust, PVC, and stabilizers). However, both materials offer excellent durability.
6. Concrete Flooring
Concrete might sound like an odd choice for a kitchen floor and more ideal for a grilling patio, but stained concrete eliminates the cold look and feel of traditional concrete. Instead, stained concrete designs resemble tile, stone, or wood.
Of course, it should be no surprise that concrete flooring is highly durable. Concrete is nearly 100% waterproof when adequately sealed, although we recommend mats near sinks, fridges, and dishwashers. This durability also comes with high affordability.
When asking, “What is the best flooring for a kitchen?” homeowners might be wary about using concrete instead of something more classy.
7. Cork Flooring
Cork might also sound like an oddball choice for some homeowners. However, this affordable flooring option is quickly becoming more popular. Among the materials on the list, cork is also the most DIY-friendly solution and even adds an elegant, unique touch for many homeowners.
Grounded-up cork and mixed resin compose cork tiles and are available in shades of brown, gray, and tan. Cork is also sound, stain-resistant, and has a soft texture. One important thing to know is that cork fades when exposed to the sun’s UV rays.
Call Home Pride Construction Today
With so many flooring options for kitchens, finding the right one can be overwhelming.
Luckily, our Home Pride Construction team can help you figure out which is best for your home. Our team is just one call away if you have a material already in mind or want to explore options.
Fill out our contact form today and discover the answer to what is the best flooring for a kitchen!