Published on Tuesday, July 9th, 2019
When picking out kitchen flooring for your home, the process can be quite overwhelming with the unlimited options available to choose from. Weighing the kitchen flooring options pros and cons can help in the decision-making process. There are a number of different materials to choose from, and each one ranges in price, color, style, and versatility. These kitchen flooring options pros and cons will help you make one of the most important decisions when building or remodeling your kitchen.
The first flooring we’re covering on our kitchen flooring options pros and cons list is ceramic kitchen tile. It’s also known as the “non-porcelain” tile as to differentiate it from porcelain. It is a softer tile but finished with a glaze in order to create a hard surface durable for wear and tear. It is versatile and can be made into any color of your choosing.
Ceramic kitchen tile flooring is a great option because it is low in cost compared to other flooring options and comes with the most variety to choose from. Installation of ceramic kitchen tile is easy. This type of kitchen flooring is also great because it is easy to clean and maintain.
Ceramic kitchen tile flooring is hard, therefore any type of glass or fragile object is likely to shatter if dropped on the floor. Because there are so many different color options for this type of flooring, it is hard to match later down the road if not enough tile was originally bought or if replacements need to be made due to cracks or chips. Grout can be hard to clean, especially lighter colored grout which is more likely to show dirt.
Concrete kitchen flooring has a more modern feel to it, giving off a stylish and sleek vibe to any kitchen. While many assume concrete can only be one drab color, gray, this is entirely false. Concrete kitchen flooring can be finished in various ways with different colors, stains, and textures applied to achieve whatever look you are going for.
Concrete kitchen flooring is extremely durable which makes it hard to damage. Things that would normally threaten the integrity of floorings, such as furniture scratches, largely dropped items, or even animal claws, all have a very low chance of damaging concrete kitchen flooring. This style of flooring is easy to clean and maintain and if taken care of properly it can last a lifetime. Aside from the finish, concrete flooring doesn’t need any other installation because it is the foundation of all flooring, which also means it is extremely affordable.
Concrete kitchen flooring can be somewhat dangerous, especially for families with young kids or even elderly adults because if you fall on concrete, it can be extremely painful and cause serious injury. Items dropped on concrete kitchen flooring are likely to shatter due to its hardness. Concrete kitchen flooring can also be uncomfortable to stand on for a long period of time because of how hard it actually is and it also does not retain heat, so for those living in colder climates, this may not be the best option of flooring. If concrete flooring is not properly sealed it is susceptible to damage from moisture causing mold, or if frozen it can cause cracks that will expand throughout the foundation.
Natural stone kitchen tile is an extremely stylish and upscale flooring option. The 4 most popular natural stone kitchen tiles are marble, slate, travertine, and granite. Using natural stone in your kitchen is sure to give it an elegant look, but remember that it will cost you more than other types of flooring.
Aside from its beauty, natural stone kitchen flooring is eco-friendly, durable, and can go with any style home. Unlike ceramic tile, natural stone flooring is not slippery which makes it a great option for families with young kids. Natural Stone kitchen tile flooring is also known for having better insulation than other flooring options which means it will keep your house cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter. This type of flooring also has a one of a kind feel to it because they are all-natural, no two floors will ever be the same.
One of the biggest reasons why people shy away from investing in natural stone kitchen flooring is because it is costly. This type of flooring needs a professional to install properly and could need additional sub-flooring and extra time for installation if complex designs are required, which will all add to the already expensive product. Maintenance on natural stone kitchen flooring is difficult and keeping a glossy shine is hard to retain. Some types of natural stone flooring are brittle which makes it easier to scratch and chip and replacing it had been proven to be quite difficult for a multitude of reasons.
Kitchen flooring options pros and cons: the classic hardwood floors. You can never truly go wrong with hardwood kitchen flooring. It is a classic look that brings elegance and warmth into the home and has proven to be timeless through the generations.
Hardwood kitchen flooring is a great option because it never really goes out of style. You can easily refinish your hardwood flooring to change the color, rather than replacing it completely which is one of the only flooring styles that allows such a thing. Hardwood kitchen flooring has a natural beauty to it and has a softer surface than tile or concrete flooring.
Hardwood kitchen flooring is expensive and the installation cost is quite pricey as well. Hardwood kitchen flooring is also more susceptible to scratches, water damage, and denting. It does take more maintenance than other floorings in order to preserve its integrity and beauty. It should be refinished every 10 years and the process is time-consuming and expensive.
Bamboo kitchen flooring is one of the “newer” types of kitchen flooring and has gained a lot of positive attention over the last few decades. Bamboo flooring is actually a type of grass and unlike hardwood flooring, it is manufacture or engineered.
Bamboo kitchen flooring is a stylish option offering a clean and modern aesthetic to the home. This type of flooring has a variety of styles, and finishes, it is eco-friendly and easy to maintain. It is very similar to hardwood flooring but offers a little bit of a different look for those looking for something more unique.
Bamboo kitchen flooring is made overseas, and the manufacturing process is not as regulated as other flooring types. Because of this unknown toxins or adhesives can easily be added to the bamboo material. Bamboo flooring is just as costly as hardwood flooring and is also susceptible to scratches, water damage, and dents. This style of flooring is also more contemporary, therefore it may not go with certain decor and is limited in terms of colors.
Linoleum flooring is great for those looking for an affordable flooring option with unlimited styles to choose from. It has been around for roughly 150 years and is made of natural materials. It comes in sheets that are glued down or snap-together tiles.
One of the most appealing things about linoleum kitchen flooring is its low cost for both the material and installation. Linoleum kitchen flooring is also known to come with a warranty, unlike other flooring options. They are extremely durable, resistant to water, and easy to clean. The options for linoleum kitchen flooring are nearly endless and they can handle wear and tear of high traffic areas which make it a great option for families with children and/or pets.
One of the biggest cons of linoleum kitchen flooring is its installation process. This type of flooring requires a professional because of the intricacy of the linoleum itself as well as the adhesive that is used to install it. Although it is relatively easy to maintain, it is possible to stain this type of flooring, and if not taken care of properly, it’s life expectancy can be quite low.
Vinyl kitchen flooring has been around since the 1930s and continues to be a popular flooring choice due to its versatility, durability, and low cost.
Vinyl kitchen flooring is extremely low maintenance and one of the more comfortable flooring options because they are installed with a padded underlayer. Vinyl is one of the cheapest flooring options, costing as little as fifty cents per square foot and even the most expensive types of vinyl are cheaper than other premium flooring options. Vinyl flooring is durable and stain-resistant unlike linoleum and is also relatively easy to install and maintain.
One of the biggest downfalls to vinyl kitchen flooring is the chemicals used to manufacture the material which can cause toxins to be released upon installation. Vinyl flooring is not biodegradable and rarely recycled because of its shorter lifespan. It can be difficult to repair and over the years it is susceptible to yellow discoloration.
Last on our kitchen flooring options pros and cons list is carpet. Carpet is popular throughout any home, but it is rare that you see it being utilized in the kitchen. There are a number of different carpets that are used in kitchens and can add warmth and comfortability to the room.
Carpet in the kitchen offers a sense of safety and warmth because it is plush and softer than any other flooring option. Items are less likely to shatter if you drop them on the carpet which will save you from having to replace it.
The obvious con to having carpet in the kitchen is that it stains easily. It is difficult to keep clean and will attract more grease, and is easily worn down by high traffic. Additionally, carpet is highly unrecommended in the kitchen because it’s considered a high moisture area and can be very prone to mold growth.
The options for flooring in your kitchen are endless, so it truly comes down to what style and feels you are looking for. Each type of flooring offers both good and bad, but whatever you decide, know that by having these kitchen flooring options pros and cons, your decision will be made much easier.
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