Getting Down With Flooring In The Kitchen

Your kitchen floor is unlike any other floor in your home. It’s prone to more traffic and spillages than any other. If that wasn’t enough, your kitchen also has to deal with as much moisture as your bathroom – so choosing the right flooring requires serious consideration. That may mean budgeting more per square foot for your kitchen floor than any other room in your home.

Size and shape  –  Obviously, the larger the open space in your kitchen the more costly it will be to floor. However, this also means it can be more affordable to cover a small kitchen with a premium material than a large kitchen with low cost flooring.

The layout of your kitchen shouldn’t have too much impact on what covering you use, unless, of course, you’re planning on doing the installation yourself. Oddly shaped kitchens and obstacles, such as islands, can make laying a kitchen floor a tricky job for a DIY amateur.

More than a kitchen  –  What you use your kitchen for will have a huge impact on your choice of flooring. For many people, the kitchen has become much more than simply a space for cooking. It’s often a social area for family and friends, or a place where children can be supervised while doing homework away from the TV room. Factors such as these may affect your choice of flooring.

The options  –  The two most important factors to take into account are durability and stain resistance. Kitchens are prone to a lot of traffic, often with people coming and going from the outside. If you eat or entertain in the kitchen, the floor will take a lot of stress from furniture. Stain resistance is important for obvious reasons.

 

Ceramic tile

Pros – Ideal for a wide range of budgets, stands up to abuse and is easy to clean.

Cons – Cold underfoot and difficult to replace when cracked. One solution here is to place mats in heavily used areas.

 

Natural stone/marble

Pros – Unique and attractive – no two pieces are the same.

Cons –Expensive and prone to staining. Can be uncomfortable underfoot and just about anything that’s breakable will break when dropped onto these surfaces.

 

Solid wood

Pros – Mightn’t seem like an obvious choice, but solid wood can look stunning in a kitchen.

Cons – Moisture can be a problem.

 

Vinyl

Pros – Comes in a huge array of colours and textures, easy to clean and comfortable underfoot. Also very inexpensive.

Cons – Vinyl is susceptible to denting, bubbles, curling and can fade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight. Limited lifespan compared to other materials, but cheaper to replace.

 

Linoleum

Pros – Often confused with vinyl, but is a completely different material. Linoleum shares many of vinyl’s pros and cons, but is made with natural substances, so it’s a good green option.

Cons – Installation is tricky and the surface can be easily scratched.

 

Cork

Pros – Another ‘green’ option that’s growing in popularity. Cork is comfortable underfoot, attractive and can absorb shock when something is dropped onto its surface, so less breakages.

Cons – Needs to be resealed regularly as it is prone to nicks and dirt.

 

Laminate

Pros – Requires little maintenance.

Cons – Doesn’t like moisture or age well.

 

Still unsure? Talk to the professionals.

The best time to replace or upgrade your floor is when you’re getting a new kitchen, as you can choose flooring to match your kitchen in terms of style and function. The My Beautiful Kitchen design and installation team will be able to help with all the available options to make sure you get the package that suits your budget, needs and taste perfectly.