How to Select the Best Flooring for Your Kitchen
Trying to decide on the best flooring option for your kitchen?
Flooring may not be the first thing on your mind when planning a kitchen remodel - but it should be near the top!
With the amount of use and traffic in most kitchens, having the right flooring makes a big difference in the overall look and long-term enjoyment of the space.
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It is important to consider both the durability of your flooring and the style you are hoping to achieve for your space.
Let’s talk through the five most common flooring types we see and the usual price ranges:
Stone and Tile Flooring For Your Kitchen
Cost per square foot to install: $10 - $25
Porcelain and ceramic tile is very durable with nearly endless design options from wood plank to marble look-alikes.
It can withstand water, constant cleaning, and high traffic.
Natural stone is also a great option but is porous and may need sealing on a regular basis to keep looking great and free of bacteria.
You will also need to be more careful with the types of cleaner you would use in order to keep it in good shape.
Laminate Flooring For Your Kitchen
Cost per square foot to install: $4 - $11
Laminate flooring is a product created to look like real wood flooring.
It has a hard top coating which can make it more resistant to moisture and staining than real hardwood.
It can also handle pet nails and other daily wear and tear with ease.
It is easy to install and much less expensive than both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood floors.
Laminate flooring often feels similar to wood flooring and when installed properly should be quiet when walked on.
Solid Hardwood Flooring For Your Kitchen
Cost per square foot to install: $7- $18
Solid hardwood floors can be installed as unfinished wood and then finished it place.
They also come in prefinished types.
Prefinished flooring will have a harder coating as it is applied in a factory.
In addition, the finish will often be more consistent when prefinished than when hardwood is stained after installation.
Hardwood floors are generally seen as beautiful and appreciated for the warmth they add to your kitchen.
They are strong and durable when cared for properly.
It is important to select a wood with a higher hardness rating such as hickory, maple or oak.
Solid hardwood will expand and contract with changes in weather and humidity so regular maintenance will be important to keep the floor in great condition.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring For Your Kitchen
Cost per square foot to install: $5 - $15
Engineered hardwood is a hardwood veneer on top with a plywood core.
It has the benefit of looking like solid hardwood and having a soft feeling underfoot.
It is less expensive than solid hardwood and can generally be refinished a few times if damaged or stained.
Since it is engineered it is more stable, meaning it is less likely to expand and contract like solid hardwood.
Sheet Vinyl and Vinyl Tile Flooring For Your Kitchen
Cost per square foot to install: $3 - $10
Sheet vinyl tends to be the most affordable flooring choice and relatively easy to install for the average DIY homeowner.
It comes in a wide variety of colors and styles and is water resistant and easy to clean.
Sheet vinyl is durable although it does scratch easily, can tear, and will wear over time.
Vinyl tile is a vinyl material that is attached to a base and can be made to look like stone tile or hardwood planks.
It has great durability, moisture and scratch resistance. It is extremely popular as it has a lower price tag while still having the style of stone or wood.
Here Are Our Winners For The Best Kitchen Flooring:
Most Durable Kitchen Flooring: Porcelain Tile
Most Comfortable Kitchen Flooring: Solid Hardwood
Easiest to Maintain Kitchen Flooring: Sheet Vinyl
Conclusion
Hopefully this will help you select the very best flooring to match your needs for your kitchen.
In our business we have seen a trend of our clients selecting and installing hardwood throughout a home, including in the kitchen.
As people will often tell you, installing the same flooring throughout adjoining rooms makes the whole area look bigger. It's really true when you see it for yourself!
Uniform flooring flows from room to room and gives the illusion of a larger space.
Depending on how you use your space and the goals you have for your home all of the above options could be the right choice for you.
Are you deciding on flooring for your new kitchen, or do you have flooring that you love? Share it with us below!
