What is the Best Flooring for in a Kitchen

What is the Best Flooring for in a Kitchen 2

Your kitchen floor, besides being the place you eat, is a major gathering place for family or friends. With all of that activity it is important that you find a floor that can withstand what is thrown at it. It is also very important you your desired style and feel, since you will be spending large amounts of time around or inside it. There may not be a type of flooring that is clearly the best of the bunch, but we will discuss the pros and cons of the best options out there.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring will often come in 3 different kinds, sheet vinyl, vinyl planks, and vinyl tile. They have been gaining popularity because of the vast variety of styles and looks you can choose from. With all the colors out there it can be hard to decide on one, we discuss how to get the right color of flooring here.

The main thing that makes vinyl one of the best kitchen flooring is its exceptional durability for the price. Vinyl withstands foot traffic well and does not chip like laminate does. If properly cared for vinyl can last 10 – 20 years.

With the exception of the seams luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile are both waterproof, while sheet vinyls’ roll design offers wall-to-wall waterproof floor protection. However, luxury vinyl plank and tile will more closely mimic the look of real wood and real ceramic tiles because they are installed plank by plank, or tile by tile.

It is even a budget friendly option, but this may contribute to the negative side of vinyl, it does not add to the resale value of your home. The other downside of vinyl is that it is not eco-friendliest of choices. Vinyl has been known to omit volatile organic compounds or VOCs.

Cork Flooring

Cork Flooring is one of the most eco-friendly flooring options out there. It just so happens that it works great in kitchens as well. Its main bonus is its unique cellular structure that does a good job resisting water and moisture. Cork is a soft material to walk on and has a slightly textured surface that can help prevent slipping.

As you already know, no floor is perfect, and cork has its cons. You must reseal the cork every three to four years to maintain its water resistance. You will also have to be conscious of closing the blinds because it will fade from sunlight. Heavy furnishings have also been known to dent cork with no protection in between.

Stone Tile

If you want to add resale value to your home, while adding great flooring for your kitchen, check out stone tile. Stone tile is perfect for kitchens because it is waterproof and extremely durable. However, you will need to make sure to seal it periodically to protect it.

If you are planning to install stone tile, be prepared to spend more than you would on other types of flooring. Low quality stones tend to flake or chip, so it is important you spend the extra money to get good quality stone.

Having the stones professionally installed will be another expense to plan for. The installation process is complicated and must be done with precision. Trying to install them yourself is not worth the risk of your expensive tiles.

Porcelain Tile

If durability is your number one concern, porcelain tile will be tough to beat. The main factor that sets porcelain tile apart from something like ceramic, its fired at much higher temperatures. This creates a material that is extremely durable and waterproof. If you have a very strenuous kitchen, this should be a consideration on your list.

Since the tile is so hard, you can expect any plates or bowls you drop to shatter. Also, like other hard surfaces, porcelain can be slippery when wet. If this is a concern, you should look for an option that is slip-resistant.

Like Stone tile, you should plan to have your porcelain tiles professionally installed. Even though the process is more straightforward than stone tile, it is still long and must be done right. Slight imperfections in the installation can jeopardize the stability of the tiles.

Price Layout

A big factor in your decision making is going to be the cost. The cost between different types of flooring may differentiate more than you originally expected. We have calculated the average cost of materials for a kitchen the size of 200 sq. ft. Keep in mind this is just an estimate and other factors like where you live, and how complicated the installation may be, can change the amount.

Floor Price Comparison Infographic

2 Comments

  1. I am looking to install radiant heating under my kitchen floors, I’m still undecided on porcelain tile or luxury vinyl planks. I was wondering which material works better with radiant floor heating, and what radiant floor heating you’d recommend installing?

    1. The best floor for radiant floor heating in terms of heat-up times and maximum heat output are porcelain tiles. However, luxury vinyl planks still work well with radiant heating and cost less than porcelain tiles. If you can fit porcelain tiles in the budget I’d choose them. If you want a great cheaper option I’d go with Luxury Vinyl Planks.

      As for radiant heating, we recommend QuietWarmth Radiant Heating Systems. Porcelain tiles would require QuietWarmth Peel and Stick and Luxury Vinyl Plank would need QuietWarmth for Floating Floors.

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