The Recipe for Great Kitchen Flooring

Your kitchen is the main ingredient of your home - no matter how often you cook or entertain. You want kitchen floors that make your guests “ooh” and “aah” but can also handle the everyday grind. This is why you need a durable kitchen flooring choice for your space. So, depending on your style, various kitchen flooring options are available to help you cook up a kitchen that dazzles and delights.

Between heavy foot traffic, moisture exposure, and daily wear and tear, you need a kitchen floor that is strong, stain-resistant, scratch resistant, and, preferably, water-resistant. There are many different flooring options to consider. Tile flooring might be the first type of flooring you think of. However, there are other flooring options out there that could be a great match for your kitchen, including hardwood, laminate flooring, and luxury vinyl. Learn more about the different flooring types and how they might be best for your kitchen:

Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are popular for kitchen floors. Both are known to be extremely durable - almost impossible to chip or crack, easy to clean, and water-resistant. If installed correctly, the tile can last a lifetime. While ceramic tile and porcelain tile are very similar, porcelain tiles are the stronger and more durable option of the two. Both types are crafted through a heating and cooling process using kiln-fired clay, but porcelain tile is heated longer, which results in a more durable finish. Tile comes in various colors and patterns, so you are sure to find a style that best matches your interiors. 

If you’re hoping for a truly unique style, natural stone tile adds rustic charm to your kitchen. With the proper maintenance, natural stone tiles can last as long as other types of tile flooring. Natural stone is also non-slip due to its porous surface. 

Wood-Look Tile

Tile or wood flooring? Hey, why not both? Wood-look tile is the go-to option for those searching for the look of natural wood floors but who want a stronger, more easily maintained flooring material. You get the natural-looking grain pattern, with the color variety and durability of tile flooring. It takes away from the time-consuming maintenance of hardwood and is resistant to scratches and stains. Install wood-look tile on your kitchen floors for a warm look and feel.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are naturally beautiful and have always been a popular option for kitchen flooring due to their warmth, making it the ideal choice if you’re looking for a classic kitchen look. Hardwood often increases the resale value of your home. Both solid hardwoods and engineered hardwood flooring look great in kitchens, but engineered hardwood is the better choice for kitchen flooring. This is because engineered wood flooring is crafted with a layered design that adds stability and prevents the wood from damage or warping caused by moisture and water. However, solid hardwood floors with the right finish can become water-resistant. Both types of hardwood flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic, making them a great option for busy kitchens.

Hardwood flooring is soft underfoot, so it's a nice option for those who spend lots of time standing and cooking in the kitchen. Plus, it’s warmer than most other kitchen flooring alternatives, which is particularly helpful during cooler months. Many solid hardwood floors can also be refinished to change their look. This is helpful when you want to create a new aesthetic in your kitchen.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is durable, easily installed, and a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring. It has always been considered one of the most versatile flooring options for the home. It comes in a variety of different wood looks. Laminate is known for its quick and easy installation, making it one of the best kitchen flooring solutions for busy households. Most laminate flooring manufactured today is either completely waterproof or water-resistant, so it's an ideal choice for spaces prone to moisture, like kitchens. Laminate flooring is also known to be soft underfoot because of its flexible construction. 

One of the major pros of installing laminate in your kitchen is that it is easy to clean and maintain, making it one of the top kitchen flooring choices. Laminate has a clear wear layer on top, which protects the floors from scratches, stains, and fading. This layer also adds to a smooth and easy-to-clean surface —just a mop and quick sweep can leave it looking sparkling new! Another great pro to laminate is that it comes in many colors and patterns, meaning you can find a laminate product that matches your personal style.

Luxury Vinyl

Thanks to technological improvements, vinyl has vastly improved in recent years. Sheet vinyl is a thing of the past! Vinyl flooring is now available in luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank. Vinyl flooring is waterproof, stain-resistant, and resilient, making it one of the best flooring for kitchens. You can get the look of natural hardwood flooring or stone tile at an affordable price. Luxury vinyl is a tough surface that can hold up against heavy appliances and foot traffic. It lasts for years and looks great doing it, often having 15 years or more warranties. Luxury vinyl is perfect for your spill-prone kids and will stay beautiful until those messy eaters are all grown.