Kitchen Flooring Ideas
If you are wondering what type of flooring is appropriate for your kitchen, there are ample of kitchen flooring ideas that you will find online and in magazines. You will discover that there are environmentally friendly materials now used as flooring, as well those that resist rotting, expanding, contracting, slipping, and elemental damage. Most materials today provide easy maintenance, affordability, longevity, and inhibition to allergens. Thus, there is no reason you will not find the one that best suits your budget, preference and needs.
Aside from ceramic, another widely used flooring material is vinyl, the same one used for pipes in plumbing. Its high resilience to daily wear and tear plus its being low maintenance are two qualities that make it find a vast market. Modern versions have a longer life expectancy because the patterns are inlaid, unlike older versions that have surface-printed patterns. Its greatest advantage is its being inexpensive and suitable for various kinds of sub-floors, but pebbles and grit can embed themselves in between the layers, which can mar the patterns and feel pointy on bare feet.
If neither ceramic nor vinyl is your type, linoleum may grab your attention for being good for the environment. It is made from renewable resources-linseed oil, wood flour and ground limestone-and is very easy to install. It works well on perfectly flat surfaces, and it offers an array of creative designs and lively colors. It is not cold and, most importantly, has anti-static, anti-allergenic and anti-bacterial properties. On the other hand, if you are searching for something that can be used both for the floor and the countertop wall, laminate can be a good choice. Although backsplash kitchen tile is more popular, laminate is equally waterproof and hardly wearing, making it good for the backsplash wall. It is a perfect combination to have your kitchen floor and backsplash wall out of laminate, since its wooden similarity is attractive making it a close replacement for real hardwood.
If your preference is toward the less-familiar options, there is stone, wood and cork. Stone is unquestionably long-lasting and hard-wearing, but requires sealing to prevent dirt buildup. Wood retains heat better than vinyl and ceramic, and is durable enough to last for years, but it is expensive and susceptible to the effects of soaking such as contracting and expanding. Cork provides warmth, but it can dent and give off a certain odor that may be offensive. Whatever type of flooring material you choose, make sure to do some research for caring and maintenance in order to increase its longevity and appearance.
It is better to keep in mind the amount of spillage that can occur in your kitchen and the budget that you have. Of course, quality is the most important factor to consider, plus the fact that you have to choose the material that suits your taste best. If you are having problems deciding for the flooring to use in your kitchen, these types and their characteristic will surely help you decide.
