Flooring Solutions for Your Kitchen
So you are planning on remodeling your kitchen? Surely you have your magazine clippings and downloaded pictures and bookmarked websites for everything including the color of your cabinets, the size of your sink and the size of your oven? All these things are fun and exciting to decide, but sometimes, in the excitement of it all, you may forget the most important aspect of it all – practicality. You know carpet floorings don’t work well for kitchens, of course you do! Everyone knows that much. But that is not all.
All flooring solutions come with their list of pros and cons that you need to weigh and assess in order to determine the right solution when remodeling your kitchen. Well, you need not worry; this easy pros and cons kitchen flooring guide will help and assist you make a more informed decision.
Remodel Your Kitchen with Solid Wood
Wood flooring is popular because it offers a warm and cozy feeling. They are easy to clean and are great for traditional or even contemporary kitchens. Wood is relatively longer lasting and only gets more beautiful with time.
Pros
- Wood hardly ever goes out of style.
- It offers a cozy and warm aura.
- It can lock a lot of moisture and so wouldn’t soil easily.
- It is easy to clean.
- It can be sanded to retain the quality and finish.
- It is not so hard, so your crockery wouldn’t be susceptible to much damage comparatively.
Cons
- On the downside, it can be quite costly.
- If the spills are not quickly cleaned they can leave marks and even cause damage.
- It can be noisy.
- It can dent and scratch easily in case a knife or a pan drops.
Remodel Your Kitchen with Ceramic Tile Floors
These are one of the more popular flooring solutions for the kitchen due to their cost effectiveness and durability. Ceramic tiles are available in a wide variety of colors and designs and come in all shapes, sizes and budget limits. Due to their versatility, ceramic tiles can help you create a Victorian styled kitchen as beautifully as a contemporary French style kitchen.
Pros
- They stand well to wear and tear.
- They are very easy to clean. From spills and splashes to muddy footprints, there is nothing a simple mop swipe cannot clean off.
- These are one of the most affordable flooring options available.
Cons
- The tiles can easily crack.
- These floors are pretty hard and offer a virtual guarantee that a dish or glass would break if dropped.
- They can be quite cold.
- Moisture makes the tiles slippery. You can opt for textured tiles for better grip.
- Grout lines can be difficult to clean and quite unpleasing to look at.
Remodel Your Kitchen with Natural Stone
Another common option is natural stone. You can opt for slate, limestone, travertine, granite or any of the dozen other options. The primary charm of natural stone is that no single stone has the same texture, patter or even color as the other, offering a very natural and deep visual appeal.
Pros
- Natural stone is one of the most elegant and upscale feel.
- They are durable and sustainable.
- They are easy to clean and require very little daily maintenance.
Cons
- Natural stone is quite expensive.
- It is cold, and so not the most preferably option for colder climates.
- The natural cracks and crannies can trap dirt that is quite difficult to clean.
Apart from these obvious options, you can also opt for other flooring solutions including sheet vinyl, linoleum, concrete, cork etc.