Kitchen Flooring
We sure do ask a lot of our kitchen floors. The kitchen serves many purposes in the typical American home. Many families use the kitchen as a primary gathering space before work and school for breakfast and at night for dinner. Homework and work is often completed in the kitchen in between. We also use the kitchen as a passageway in and through the house. And of course, we can’t forget the kitchen’s biggest function: food preparation.
Because the kitchen is many times such a high traffic area in the home, the flooring in the kitchen needs to stand up to a great deal of movement. In addition to being durable, our kitchen floors need to lend style. The type of flooring that goes in the kitchen is one of the biggest determining factors for how the kitchen will feel to family members and guests. So while it’s important that we pay attention to functionality, we also have to pay attention to appearance when it comes to kitchen flooring.
So, what type of flooring is available for the kitchen, and what are the pros and cons of each type?
Tiling
Tile flooring has long been a favorite for the kitchen. Tiles are typically square and they come in a wide range of sizes:
– 12 inch
– 18 inch
– 21 inch
– 24 inch
Of course, the material that your tile is made of will largely determine its suitability for your particular kitchen space. For example, porcelain is considered incredibly sturdy and durable. Porcelain is fired at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, which results in a tile that is really strong and resistant to chipping, staining, or cracking. In addition to its durability, porcelain is a popular choice among homeowners due to the wide range of colors and styles it comes in.
On the other end of the tile spectrum is natural stones such as limestone, travertine, and slate. Many love the look of these natural stones because they lend an organic, warm feel to the kitchen area. However, natural stones are more porous than their porcelain counterpart. Therefore, tiles made of limestone, travertine, slate, and other natural elements are easier to stain than porcelain. Natural stones are also known to crack easier than porcelain.
Wood
In recent years, hardwood has increasingly become a top choice for kitchens. As many homeowners are opting for open floor plans for the kitchen and living room areas, the trend to blend the two areas visually is becoming more prominent. Hardwood is an excellent way to connect the kitchen visually to the rest of the living area of a house.
Although true hard wood can be pricy and difficult to keep clean, laminate flooring is very easy to keep clean and stable. Laminate flooring is paneling that gives the appearance of wood but is actually a designed wooden top above a core of fiberboard or another material. Laminate flooring is installed in pieces, similar to porcelain, and therefore sections can be replaced if need be without the entire floor being replaced.