A long time ago, when people thought of kitchen floors they thought of linoleum or rolled vinyl or maybe attractive tile. Now, there are many options for kitchen flooring. Even linoleum has been improved to the point where it can resemble sumptuous materials such as stone, tile or wood. Here are some ideas for irresistible kitchen flooring.
Tiles
For material that is tough, beautiful and waterproof, ceramic tiles can’t be beat. They can be laid over an existing floor and can come in many shapes, colors, textures and patterns. Glazed tiles are fired in a kiln to bake their colors in. Because of this, the colors don’t fade, and the surfaces are hard. Tiles can have an uneven or rough texture to give traction and make them look more like natural stone.
Porcelain tiles are fired at even higher temperatures and are even more durable than glazed ceramic tiles. Though some people think of a slick and glossy surface when they think of porcelain, porcelain can be made with a rough texture and a matte glaze that cuts down on the glare.
Quarry tiles are made of extruded clay that’s baked in a kiln. They’re not waterproof but can be sealed. Terra-cotta is made of natural clay and gives the kitchen a lovely, rustic look. Terra-cotta tiles need to be sealed to make them waterproof.
Stone
Stone floors make a kitchen look elegant, but stone slabs and tiles are heavy, and the floor may need a bit of reinforcement. They can be polished to a high shine or have a dull but attractive finish, and can be honed or tumbled to make them less slippery. Stone used for kitchen floors include marble, granite and slate. Stone is nearly indestructible and easy to care for, but most stone needs to be sealed.
Cement
Cement no longer needs to be gray and stark, though some homeowners do like the look. Cement tiles can be polished and textured to resemble stone, glazed tile, brick or even leather. In some cases, the cement is poured over the prepared kitchen floor, allowed to set then polished, stamped, dyed or stained. Like stone, cement is heavy, and the floor may need reinforcing.
Vinyl
This standby is waterproof, feels good beneath the feet, won’t crack or split and is inexpensive. The number of patterns and colors vinyl flooring can come in is nearly countless, and a diligent homeowner can install vinyl tiles over a weekend. Sheet vinyl is trickier to install and is best installed by a professional like the ones at Alair Homes Huntsville.
Linoleum
This other standby of kitchen floors is tough, easy to clean, has anti-bacterial properties and is inexpensive. Like vinyl, it can be bought in colors and patterns that complement any style of kitchen.
Laminate
This type of floor is installed layer by layer. First there’s the concrete or wood subfloor followed by a vapor barrier, then an underlayment, then the laminate top. Laminate is versatile in that it can be placed in a basement kitchenette and over an asbestos floor that shouldn’t be disturbed. It too comes in many colors and can be made to mimic wood, ceramic tile or stone.
Wood
Some people are surprised to find a hardwood floor in a kitchen, but treated wood is surprisingly durable even in a kitchen’s humidity and heat. To resist warping, install narrow planks.
You can’t go wrong with these flooring options while working with Alair Homes Huntsville to polish your kitchen remodel.