Your kitchen floor has a big job to do. Not only does it have to stand up to a lot of foot traffic, but it also has to shrug off spills and stains easily. Aside from having to be practical and durable, your kitchen floor is also a major design statement. The choice you make regarding flooring material for your kitchen affects every other element of your design. When faced with the variety of materials, colors, and textures available today, your choices can seem almost infinite, and the pressure to make the right one can feel awful. After all, if you want your kitchen to look right, the design doesn't stop at choosing the best cabinetry and choosing the right countertop.

What to consider when choosing a flooring material for your kitchen

Firstly, let's go through a few key things to consider when shopping for kitchen floors. Many things can and should influence your choice.

Your lifestyle

In your home, you are the star of your own cooking show. For this reason, it's probably a very common occurrence for sauces to get spilled, silverware to be dropped, and spouses, kids, and pets to check in often. The flooring material of your choice needs to be able to stand up to the type of wear and tear that your lifestyle brings. Another thing to keep in mind is to use nonslip floors, especially if you have young children, as a safety precaution.

Cost

If you are planning a remodel, you have probably set a budget for yourself. Obviously the

size of your budget will drive your decision on material and ease/difficulty of installation. Some flooring material needs extensive prep work while others are simple.

If your square footage is small, you may be able to squeeze in a higher quality floor even if your budget is modest. Additional costs may pop up such as underlayment, leveling, delivery charges (which are high), professional installation and removal and disposal of your old floor.

Other budget costs include items you don’t plan for such as your packing and moving fine glassware and china, which cannot be in the kitchen when you are ripping out flooring and cabinetry. Even things like renting a self-storage unit and having someone safely move them to the unit have to be taken into account.

Your need for ease of cleaning

If you use your kitchen often, you are probably familiar with food spills taking over your kitchen floors. To minimize the time you spend on maintenance, choose a material that's easy to clean, water resistant, and not prone to staining. We will review options below.

While they look beautiful, vinyl sheets are also perfect for people who use their kitchen a lot.

Comfort

If you have a habit of spending hours on your feet in your kitchen when cooking, you should consider floors with a bit of softness and resilience. For example, tile floors can become uncomfortable after long periods of standing. Wood-based flooring materials have some give, making them better for reducing leg fatigue. Whichever you end up choosing, always remember that a small soft mat or rug can also add some comfort.

Your design style

The suitable flooring material for your kitchen complements your kitchen's design style. If your kitchen holds a rustic and country style, you could go for hardwood or warm-colored tiles. But, if you have more of a mid-century modern design, vinyl flooring or terrazzo is probably the right choice. With contemporary kitchens, almost anything goes, except possibly rustic tiles. Consider the kitchen's size, colors, textures, and patterns when choosing the floor. You should decide whether you want your floor to be a neutral backdrop or serve as a vivid focal point.

Vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring is great because it offers a wide variety of styles and colors that come in tiles or sheets to those on a budget. They are made of manmade plastics and not exactly a “green” product.

Sheet vinyl flooring is waterproof and stain-proof. It also makes cleaning up spills and splashes an easy chore. It comes in a massive array of colors and styles, from plain sheets to embossed vinyl tiles that do a great job mimicking ceramic tile and stone. Standard sheets are also 12 feet wide, so seams are usually minimal.

Vinyl is considered resilient flooring. This means that it feels slightly soft underfoot. That eases fatigue and makes long hours of cooking easier. Additionally, resilient flooring is forgiving of dropped bowls and glasses. If you're looking for a lower priced option for kitchen flooring that still gives a lot of usefulness, many types of sheet vinyl are pretty inexpensive.

Hardwood

This flooring combines three essential features: warmth, beauty, and comfort. It is an excellent choice if you have an open floor plan and want a single type of flooring that extends from your living room to your kitchen. If done well, it also combines durability with low maintenance. Properly finished hardwood flooring can resist moisture from occasional splashes. However, you will have to clean spills immediately. It is recommended to have a professional do the finish for hardwood in the kitchen since it can make the difference between easily stained floors and hard-to-stain ones.

It most commonly comes as either solid wood or engineered wood planks. Engineered wood planks are generally a better choice for kitchens. They are made by putting a top veneer of natural wood onto a layer of plywood. This makes the planks stable and the flooring less susceptible to humidity and temperature. Solid wood floors are a higher budget item.

Porcelain tile

When it comes to both durability and good looks, porcelain kitchen tile flooring is the go-to. It is an upgraded version of ceramic tile. Primarily because of the difference in the manufacturing process that makes it harder and less porous.

Porcelain tile is bought either glazed or unglazed. Glazed tiles are made with a glass-like coating that can be made in any color. Unglazed porcelain tiles have the naturally earthy color of the clays used to make them. You can choose from so many sizes and colors. A popular style is the porcelain floor that looks like wood planks.

The installation process of porcelain tiles is pretty tricky and requires a lot of space. If you are not replacing your cabinetry, you may still have to pack and move your kitchen as if you are moving it to a new home. This means that if you have anything in your kitchen that is taking up space on the floor (like a kitchen island), you'll have to take it down during the remodel. Be careful when dismantling a kitchen, and don't hesitate to reach out to professionals.

Natural Stone - Limestone

Limestone is a natural stone that offers a natural look. It definitely isn't for everyone since the upkeep it requires can be a bit much. It is a very porous material. In other words, unless you want it to stain all the time, you'll have to reseal it every few years.

: Limestone looks great but requires a lot of work.

Limestone comes in a few natural colors. The most popular are grey and cream. Since the texture will make the floor a statement piece, you should be smart with your choice of color. So, if your focus was on opening up a smaller space with light, cool grey, and white cabinets, your limestone tiles should not be brown or cream. The correct flooring material for your kitchen will complement the organizational design of your kitchen.

Natural Stones – Marble & Granite

The ultimate luxury is natural stone which is probably the most expensive option you can choose. Their one of a kind beauty and patterns are unmatchable. Marble and granite are perfect for a clean look in modern and contemporary kitchens. Marble is a softer stone than granite, which has pluses and minuses.

Marble can stain, scratch and chip and must be sealed on a yearly basis. Acidic liquids must be cleaned immediately. Hard water can etch marble and needs to be wiped up right away.

Linoleum

Linoleum is made from renewable, biodegradable cork powder and linseed oil, making it a very environmentally friendly flooring material for your kitchen. It also doesn't have any harmful VOCs. It's a resilient flooring that comes in many patterns and colors, just like vinyl. While it is moisture-resistant, it is also a bit susceptible to staining. You should do your best to ensure that the product you buy has a good quality protective coating that will guard it against scratches and spills.

CALL OR VISIT US TO DISCUSS YOUR NEW KITCHEN INCLUDING FLOORING.

PHONE: 516-365-0595 OR VISIT OUR SHOWROOM AT: 983 NORTHERN BLVD, MANHASSET, NY, 11030

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