Types of kitchen floors and materials

Selecting a material for the kitchen floor can be daunting task. There are many varieties available in the market and each have their pros and cons. There are many factors that you need to consider before you select one of them; how much time do you spend in the kitchen, how much do you cook in the kitchen, what is the temperature of the surrounding that you live in, how much is your budget, and many more.

 

 

Some of the commonly used materials available in the market can be applied to almost all kitchens, irrespective of their size. But it is always better understand the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Hardwood

This one of the most timeless materials that can be used for kitchen floors. It is convenient, durable, non-slippery and moisture resistant if you go for the prefinished variety. One of the biggest advantage of this material is that it can be used for any theme that you may choose for the rest of the house.

But as moisture resistant as it is, one still needs to be careful with wood and liquids. Some liquids can leave stains, and they are very hard to remove. Furthermore, the maintenance of this flooring is substantial.

Vinyl

This is one of the cheapest floor materials out there. It can be very easily installed without too many labor expenses. And what’s more, the vinyl available today comes in many textures and finishes that mimic some of the other, more expensive materials.

But one of the biggest disadvantages of this type is that it has a short shelf life. You may have to replace it within a few years after you have it put in.

Stone

What be more classic and luxurious than stone? Most of the royal castles and palaces around the world have a stone foundation and it is so elegant to look at.

But stone is expensive, and one has to choose the type of stone correctly, for some types can wear away very easily. And they need through cleaning at the junction between two units, just like tiles.

Tiles (Marble or Ceramic)

Tiles are some of the most commonly used kitchen flooring materials. They are convenient to lay out, are long lasting and are available in every possible shape and size. Tiles can be cleaned very conveniently and are resistant to most stains.

But tiles can also crack with sufficient impact and are quite slippery. They are cold to step on, but this is not a bad thing in warm weathers.

There are many more materials that you can choose from, such as cork, linoleum, bamboo, etc.