Kitchen Floors

Choose the best flooring for your kitchen.

Kitchen FlooringMany consumers are confused when it comes to choosing the right flooring for their kitchen. Unlike the main living areas of a home, where the flooring traffic tends to be lighter, the kitchen offers up a unique set of problems. The flooring product that you choose needs to be durable, water resistant as well as good looking.

Splashes and spills are common place in the kitchen as well as the threat of sinks and dishwashers over flowing. The flooring that you choose will need to be maintained more often than other areas of the home.

Many areas in the home expose a large area of flooring, such as hallways and living spaces, and offer up a great first impression. But this is not usually the case with the kitchen, Often the kitchen floor area is broken up with counters or an island, a dining table and chairs. In addition other elements of the kitchen are vying for attention - appliances, counter tops and cabinets. With this is mind, you may be able to save money on your kitchen floor and splurge on another area of the home.

Laminate and vinyl are the #1 recommended products for kitchens, but consider these important points when making your final decision;

  • Number of family members - kids and pets
  • Gourmet or casual chef
  • Ease of maintenance

    Solid Wood Flooring

    • Naturally warm
    • Can be sanded and refinished many times

    But....

    • Can discolor and wear quickly
    • Dependiing on the finish you choose, may water mark
    • Tends to dent
    • Hard to install
    • Restricted from basements and damp areas

    Price - $5 to $12 per sq.ft. installed

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    Engineered Wood

    • Easier application
    • Can be installed floated, nailed, stapled or glued
    • Can be refinished once

    But....

    • Wears quickly and dents
    • May be damaged by small spills

    Price - $5 to $10 per sq.ft. installed

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    Plastic Laminate

    • Toughest finish
    • Variety of styles
    • Easy to install
    • Wears as well as wood with less scratches and dents
    • Sun resistant

    But....

    • Can't be refinished
    • Damaged by big spills
    • Price reflects the quality

    Price - $1 to $8 per sq.ft. installed

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    Vinyl

    • Long wearing
    • Resistant to sun and moisture
    • Looks like the real thing
    • Easy to install

    But....

    • Still feels like vinyl

    Price - $2 to $7 per sq.ft. installed

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    Linoleum

    • Natural resilient flooring
    • Many colors and styles
    • Resists dents and moisture
    • Resists fading

    But....

    • Vinyl offers more choices

    Price - $4 to $9 per sq.ft. installed

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    Ceramic Tile

    • Tile resists wear, moisture, scratches, dents and stains

    But....

    • A hard surface
    • Difficult to install

    Price - $8 to $15 per sq.ft. installed

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    Cork

    • Very warm
    • Comfortable underfoot - perfect for kitchens
    • Wide range of colors and patterns

    But....

    • Will scratch
    • Excess moisture may cause buckling

    Price - $10 to $15 per sq.ft. installed



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