There are many flooring options suitable for your kitchen and which can fit your many flooring needs. They are flooring made from exotic hardwoods, traditional woods, ceramic, stone, vinyl, and cork; plus you can combine two or more of these coverings .
Wood flooring
Wood flooring offers a lot of warmth and beauty to a kitchen.
Wood flooring are considered the best choice for kitchen floors. They are durable, would last a minimum of 20 years; some hard wood flooring are known to last up to 100 years. However, wood flooring needs care in order to keep it looking good. Daily care involves sweeping and mopping, but occasionally some waxing, stripping, sanding, and refinishing work would ensure it keeps looking immaculate. A major advantage of wood flooring is that wares are less likely to break when dropped to the ground. Wood flooring is also a good choice as it does not collect molds and mildew, or absorb dust.
Resilient floors
Sheet vinyl offers a practical and attractive option to liven up a kitchen.
Resilient floors, such a vinyl flooring, are also popular because it comes in a variety of patterns, it feels soft under the feet, and it is reasonably priced and economical to install. It requires no sanding or finishing. They can also be install over previously installed flooring by the homeowner with just a utility knife. However resilient floors are not as durable as ceramic tiles.
Laminate Floors
Laminate floors looks like wood and therefore offers the warmth and beauty that wood flooring offers.
Another type of floor that is increasing in popularity is laminate flooring, like laminate countertops. It is made to replicate wood and ceramic tiles. It is also scratch resistant and would not fade or dent. It is even inexpensive to install. It is laid down in panels and joined by tongue-and-groove joints. Laminate flooring is installed according to what is referred to as a floating system (the laminate flooring is is not fastened to the sub-floor it rests on a foam pad). Laminate flooring looks like wood and therefore offers a warmth and beauty as well.
Ceramic Tiles and Natural Stone Foors
Ceramic tile floors help create a look or mode. In the picture above, the floor provides a subtle background for a light and natural look. A combination of square and rectangular shape tiles can also create a sleek contemporary look.
Ceramic tiles floors and natural stone floors such as granite, marble, and slate are popular due to its durability and broken tiles can be easily replaced. It price varies but is generally more expensive than resilient flooring. The tiles feel hard under the foot and wares can break easily on them. They need to be installed on firm and stable floors.
Another type of flooring suitable for the kitchen floor is cork. Cork is attractive and comfortable to walk on. It is stain and moisture resistant. It is available in natural, tinted, and vivid colours. If your are environmentally conscious, you will be be pleased with this type of flooring as it does not off-gas or shed microfibers. Another type of flooring that is considered green is bamboo flooring.
Cork originates from the bark of the cork tree (the bark splits from the tree naturally every 9-15 years). However, cork flooring, which comes in tiles, planks, and sheets of various sizes, fades in direct sunlight and gets yellow as it ages. Installation is similar to laminated or vinyl tiles.
Your choice of floor covering should reflect you and your family needs and affordability. Select the kitchen flooring after much thought (such as practicality, affordability, use, beauty, and the type of mood you wish to create in the kitchen). Certain floors can withstand high traffic flow such as concrete and stone tiles floors. However, comfort will be an issue, and thus wooden floors and like-wooden floors offer better underfoot comfort. Finally, some floor covering are favored by the environmentally conscious household owners. These floors add a natural beauty to your kitchen.
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