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Kitchen flooring is an important decision that will affect the entire look and feel of your home. Selecting an ideal flooring requires considering personal style preferences, lifestyle requirements and budget concerns when making this important choice.
Durable and water-resistant materials are an absolute necessity in homes with children and animals. Let’s examine some popular kitchen flooring choices, their advantages and disadvantages:
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring brings beauty and warmth to any space, including kitchens. Although hardwood may complement any style of kitchen design, it may require more effort to keep it looking its best than other forms of flooring.
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished to repair scratches, yet still be susceptible to moisture damage in a kitchen environment. An alternative is engineered wood which combines plywood or particleboard cores with layers of solid wood veneer atop. Engineered wood is an ideal choice for kitchens as it can be installed directly over radiant heating while being more moisture resistant compared to hardwood – plus its appearance is similar.
Laminate
Laminate flooring can be an economical way to revamp a kitchen on a tight budget, offering an assortment of styles resembling real wood or stone surfaces.
Laminate’s extra-strong coating renders it highly scratch and stain-resistant and water-proof – key characteristics in any kitchen environment.
However, laminate floors may become vulnerable over time due to moisture exposure; it’s wise to check whether the warranty covers this situation.
Tile
Tile is an affordable flooring material with lasting appeal that’s easy to keep clean, making it the perfect choice for kitchens where spills may occur frequently. It also stands up well against staining and moisture damage – an added advantage in kitchen environments where spills may occur more frequently.
Modern kitchen tiles come in an extensive variety of colors and styles, offering endless design possibilities. Some tiles even mimic natural stones or wood grains to add a unique aesthetic to your space.
Ultrasonic welding makes the Tile environmentally-friendly as no glues or adhesives are required for assembly and maintenance, yet still uses significant energy in its production of batteries; this energy comes from global shipping of parts before assembly in its factory.
Vinyl
Your kitchen is an active space. Family life, spilled drinks and dropped plates can take its toll on its flooring – vinyl kitchen flooring stands up well to daily wear and tear.
The top layer of vinyl, known as the wear layer, is designed to resist scratching, scuffing and fading caused by water, heat, soap scum or any other source. Furthermore, its waterproof properties prevent any potential water damage that could require costly repairs and replacements down the line.
Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and available in an array of styles that mimic natural materials, such as wood. Installation over existing floors makes vinyl an excellent DIY-friendly kitchen floor option.
Concrete
Concrete has become one of the most eco-friendly flooring materials on the market today. Not only is it tough and stylish, but its eco-friendliness also makes it one of the more cost-effective choices available to homeowners.
Concrete floors can be tinted and etched to add color and design. Stains and stencils make concrete an artistic work in any home.
Medium grinding on a diamond concrete grinder leaves some aggregate visible for an aged, terrazzo-esque effect. This level of grinding is ideal for homeowners wanting more control of the color and aesthetic of their floor; polished floors reflect light more efficiently, saving energy costs and cutting lighting costs significantly.
Cork
Cork floors provide a soft, warm underfoot experience and are more resistant to moisture and sound than tile or hardwood. Additionally, their moistureproof design makes for quieter living environments.
Cork flooring is made from harvested cork oak tree bark that has been harvested without harming it and left for future growth, making it an eco-friendly flooring choice.
Cork flooring is water-resistant, making it resistant to staining, mold growth and lasting up to 40 years with proper care and maintenance. Sealing should take place every two to three years as well as protecting from chair legs sliding across it, shoes with dirt on them or pet scratches. Unfortunately, cork may fade in areas exposed to direct sunlight on an ongoing basis.
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