A Brief Rundown on Different Kitchen Flooring Materials

In one’s home, the kitchen is often the heart as it is the warmest and often most frequented part of the house. This is one reason to not only get a durable flooring option but to also choose one that will be aesthetically pleasing and correspond with the design that you have for your kitchen. Durability is the key to good kitchen flooring because in addition to a high volume of foot traffic, the kitchen will be prone to messes from food and any dishes or kitchenware that may fall on the ground as well.

• One of the most popular flooring options both for the kitchen and throughout the home, is hardwood flooring. Hardwood is a classic flooring choice that provides natural warmth to your kitchen and when correctly treated it can last a very long time. Though, sharp points like pets’ claws and high heels can be damaging to the surface wood floors are generally easy to clean. Simply make sure to clean up any spills as soon as possible and then sweep, dust, or vacuum the surface regularly.

• A variation on wood flooring is actually bamboo. Bamboo is harder than many types of wood flooring, and while it’s eco-friendly, it is also comfortable and resists damage from water and traffic very well. As with other woods, the cleaning is simple but bamboo should also be guarded from dents and sharp points.

• Laminate is a popular option for homeowners who have frequent food spills or high traffic of children and pets through the kitchen because of its incredibly durable nature. Laminate is also a much cheaper and cost effective way to get the more luxurious look of hardwood or tile flooring without having to spend too much for the real deal. One thing to be aware of is any separation between boards of this particular flooring.

• Cork flooring is extremely beneficial to those who spend much of their time cooking or baking in their kitchen, as it has a soft and spring-like feel to it that make it comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

• Vinyl is another very popular choice among homeowners for their kitchens. It is also a comfortable surface to stand on and it has many textures and colors available to choose from. Vinyl is also very durable. It doesn’t stain, scratch, or fade easily. It can ever be saturated with and antimicrobial protection to help fight against bacteria, mold, and mildew. Vinyl can come in three different forms, sheets, tiles, and planks. These help to give even more designer integrity when putting together your own design for your kitchen.

• Tile flooring is an extremely durable option and is very popular because of its versatility to be used both indoors and outdoors. There are three main types of tile flooring, ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Tile is an ideal choice for kitchens because of the durability to foot traffic, water, and spills, as well as being able to avoid absorbing odors and bacteria. However, the downside to this is that if you are a serious cook or spend a lot of time in the kitchen, the tile can be uncomfortable because of its hard surface. It is also a hazard for dropped dishes, glasses, and other items that are fragile or could shatter when impacting a very hard surface such as tile. It will also need sealing to help withstand water and water damage. In order to care for tile flooring, you’ll want to make sure to wipe up spills fairly quickly so that the grout doesn’t stain, as well as sweeping or dusting regularly.



• Linoleum is a flooring type that is often times compared to vinyl flooring. It is durable and stands up very well to traffic, water, heat, and scratching. It is a very design-friendly flooring option, as it comes in many different kinds of colors and patterns that can be arranged however you would like. Linoleum is also usually soft and comfortable to stand on, which make it a popular low budget flooring that is perfect for kitchens. Linoleum is eco-friendly and hygienic because it is made from natural materials and can be biodegradable and recyclable. The surface of linoleum flooring actually repels dust and dirt which can be especially important when it comes to being in a kitchen.