The kitchen remodeling process can be long and extensive. With so many considerations to keep in mind such as plumbing, appliances, electricity, and overall aesthetic, you’ll want to ensure your space has both form and functionality.
When considering all of the aspects of a kitchen remodel, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the flooring. According to experts, your flooring should account for roughly 7% of your kitchen remodeling budget. This is a decision that you’ll need to make early on in the process so it’s important that you choose an option that will suit your needs. Let’s delve into some kitchen flooring options below.
#1. Hardwood Kitchen Flooring
Some of the best kitchen floors are made from hardwood. This is a traditional and timeless option that continues to be incredibly popular in today’s kitchen renovations. Even though wood floors are not waterproof, solid hardwood floors that have been finished properly are generally water-resistant. If you opt for this flooring, make sure to clean spills up as quickly as possible.
Hardwood flooring comes in many colors and finishes and can be refinished as necessary to rejuvenate its look. This is especially helpful in smaller kitchens as it won’t be as expensive to refinish the floors to match your new aesthetic. In recent years, it has also become more popular to use environmentally sustainable hardwood as well.
#2. Durable Bamboo Kitchen Floor
Bamboo is another kitchen floor material to consider if you’re wanting an option that is similar to hardwood but is slightly different from the mainstream choice. Bamboo feels like hardwood to the touch, but in reality, it is even harder. Its aesthetic can look different depending on its pattern, grain, and color.
There are three types of bamboo flooring to consider:
- Strand woven: This is the most expensive and durable bamboo flooring option. It’s made from pulped bamboo that has been pressed and formed into planks.
- Engineered bamboo: These are traditional flooring planks covered with a layer of bamboo and sealed with a waterproof coating.
- Solid bamboo: These floors are made by bonding pieces of sliced bamboo together, however, they aren’t ideal to use in a high-moisture kitchen.
It can be tough to refinish bamboo floors and often requires professional assistance.
#3. Tile for Kitchen Flooring
Tile is a durable kitchen flooring option that comes in endless patterns and finishes. You should highly consider this option if you will often be exposing your kitchen to water. Common examples of tile flooring options include ceramic, stone, and porcelain. Keep in mind that ceramic and porcelain tiles are also very damage resistant and are generally easy to clean.
Stone tile is slightly more expensive than ceramic and porcelain tiles but it requires more upkeep. As long as it’s cared for properly, stone tiles can be equally tough as other tile options with the bonus of being non-slip due to their non-porous surfaces. Examples of popular stone options include slate, marble, and travertine.
#4. Laminate Floors
Laminate floors give off a similar aesthetic to hardwood floors and they are also water-resistant, not waterproof. For many years, homeowners turned to laminate to get the aesthetic of hardwood at a lower price point. One noteworthy mention is the introduction of the waterproof laminate by many flooring manufacturers. This features a rigid core built from waterproof materials to add stability and strength to the flooring.
This new laminate floor option still provides homeowners with the traditional advantages of laminates including the flexibility of installation. It’s not uncommon to see laminate flooring that’s been clicked together, glued down, or floated on top of uneven subfloors.
#5. Vinyl Kitchen Flooring
A durable kitchen flooring option is vinyl. This flooring option has gained popularity in recent years due to its modern upgrades. It now comes in options like planks and tiles that look similar to hardwood and stone. Another positive of vinyl is that it's completely waterproof and easy to clean. If you want to take the DIY flooring options, vinyl could be a good choice for you.
One potential downside of vinyl flooring in your kitchen is that it is softer compared with other options. If you have large appliances that need to be moved after the flooring installation, make sure to move them with caution as they have the potential to scratch or dent the floors.
#6. Cork Floors
Cork is a new kitchen floor material that is continuing to gain popularity for its budget-friendliness and DIY potential. This can be found as a peel-and-stick option, glue-down, or snap-together to look like planks or tiles. One main difference between cork and other kitchen flooring options is that it doesn’t feel cold to the touch. Cork has a springy feeling under the foot and is effective in absorbing sound.
This flooring option is made from resins mixed with ground-up cork. It comes in a range of gray and brown shades to suit a variety of kitchen aesthetics. Although cork is stain-resistant, it isn’t waterproof. Make sure to clean up spills quickly before they have the chance to soak in.
#7. Concrete Kitchen Floors
Concrete flooring could sound too harsh to be used in the center of your home, but it is an incredibly durable and beautiful option when installed correctly. Concrete can be stained to mimic the look of stone, tile, or even wood and it can be sealed so it is almost entirely waterproof. If you opt for concrete floors, we still recommend putting a mat on areas of excessive moisture such as in front of the sink.
One major pro to installing concrete is how budget-friendly it is. Because it can also look like other flooring options, it is a great way to achieve a higher-end look with less money.
Conclusion
Flooring for kitchens is a huge decision that will impact the look and feel of your kitchen for years to come. Always factor in your budget in addition to the type of lifestyle that your family leads to help you make your decision. If you need assistance from our team at Zenith Design + Build, we’re happy to help talk you through your options. We encourage you to take advantage of our kitchen remodeling consultations so we can help you transform your space.
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