Kitchen floors often endure more wear and tear than any other room in the house. Between the constant foot traffic, the dropped pots and pans, and the high potential for spills and stains, it makes sense to choose a kitchen floor that can withstand whatever your family dishes out (pun intended) over time.
Of course, you also want something beautiful—something that matches your unique style and makes your guests “ooh” and “aah” every time they visit. Is there a flooring option that can do both? Absolutely. Below is a list of our favorites.
Luxury Vinyl
One of the biggest trends among new home buyers is luxury vinyl, a type of resilient flooring that is simple to install, a breeze to clean, and nearly impervious to stains, scratches, and water damage. Plus, vinyl is softer underfoot than tile or hardwood, making meal prep (and holiday baking, for all you cookie makers) decidedly easier on your feet.
As for beauty, luxury vinyl can be engineered to mimic the look of natural hardwood or stone tile for a fraction of the cost of the real thing. And the seemingly endless variety of colors, shades, and styles means there’s an option out there for everyone.
Linoleum
Like vinyl, linoleum falls under the resilient flooring umbrella. Unlike vinyl, it is made from natural, renewable materials such as linseed oil, tree resin, wood and cork dust, and mineral fillers. For this reason, linoleum is a prime choice for eco-conscious home buyers.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: “Linoleum? Like Grandma used to have?” Yes, but no. You can think of modern-day linoleum flooring as Linoleum 2.0. It is more durable, easier to clean, and—if you can believe it—comes in even more colors and patterns than vinyl.
Hardwood
Classic hardwood floors are hard to beat for their beauty and staying power, especially now that innovative sealants and finishes have made them more durable and moisture resistant. Though a bit pricier than resilient flooring, hardwood floors never go out of style and hold up incredibly well over time with the proper care and maintenance.
Porcelain Tile
Most people hear the word “porcelain” and think “fragile,” but porcelain tile is actually incredibly durable and made to hold up in busy kitchens. Manufactured to be harder and less porous than regular ceramic tile, porcelain tile is stain resistant, waterproof, and hard to break. It also comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and shapes to complement any design style. Wood plank porcelain tile, which offers the look of real wood but the durability of tile, is currently very popular among home buyers.
Natural Stone Tile
If you have a little more wiggle room in your budget, natural stone tile is worth the added expense for the luxury appeal (and increased value) it will bring to your home. Sturdy and hard to break, options include granite, marble, travertine, and slate.
Just keep in mind that stone tile is heavy and difficult to install without professional help. It should also be sealed regularly to prevent moisture damage and scratching.
Cork
Another eco-friendly material, cork is quickly gaining a reputation as an attractive, easy-on-the-feet kitchen flooring option that is both moisture resistant and slip resistant. However, cork floors do require a little extra TLC. Be sure to reseal them on a regular basis (about every 3 to 4 years), and use floor mats and furniture pads to protect your cork floors from denting or scratching caused by heavy furniture.
Did you know Primera has an extensive selection of flooring options for every home interior and budget? Call 866.752.7336 today or email info@primera.net to learn more.
