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Best kitchen flooring reviews


Best Flooring for Kitchens in 2022

Jump To: What to Look for in Kitchen Flooring | Best Flooring for Kitchens | Shopping by Floor Style | DIY vs. Professional Flooring | Our Recommendation

For many families, the kitchen is a huge focal point in their homes. It’s not only a place where you cook meals, but it’s also a gathering spot for your loved ones and guests to spend time and make memories.

From farmhouse styles to more contemporary materials, homeowners have endless options for customizing the looks of their kitchens. When you’re trying to decide on the best flooring for the kitchen, consider factors like the amount of traffic it has, your family’s risk of messes, and your style preferences. Read on to learn about the best flooring for kitchens.

What to Look for in Kitchen Flooring

When you’re planning a flooring project in your home, you must first decide on the material and style of flooring you want to install. Here are some things to think about when you’re shopping for new kitchen flooring:

The Best Flooring for Kitchens

For years, homeowners continue to choose hardwood—or materials that resemble hardwood—as one of their top options for kitchen flooring. However, with new technology and unique family demands, there are new and innovative solutions for kitchen flooring. You just have to decide what’s the most ideal for your household.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring remains a popular choice for kitchen flooring because it gives the home a warm, natural feel. It’s an especially great option for homes with open floor plans. Hardwood flooring can easily blend from the kitchen into a home’s living space.

Traditional wood flooring needs some level of care and maintenance, but more and more manufacturers are using sealers to help protect these classic floors. These finished hardwood floors require less maintenance. You can also try engineered wood flooring. It gives you an authentic wood look with a top veneer that provides more durability.

Tile Flooring

Tile flooring has been a popular option for kitchen flooring for decades. With many options for material (like porcelain, stone, and ceramic), tile gives homeowners a lot of options for customization. Tile flooring comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles; you can even lay it in various patterns for an artistic twist.

Tiles are known to be durable and are a great choice for homes with high-traffic areas. They’re also easy to clean and maintain. One of the drawbacks to tile flooring, however, is the grout in-between. It requires regular resealing to prevent staining. Also, tile flooring can be more expensive than other flooring options.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a budget-friendly type of resilient flooring, which means it’s known to be pretty soft and comfortable on the feet. It can also be forgiving when accidents occur and someone drops a dish on the floor. Vinyl can come in planks or large sheets, which means installation requires exact measurements and precise cutting. Some engineered vinyl plank options, however, are easy to install and provide added stability and dent resistance.

Once installed, vinyl flooring is easy to clean, waterproof, and stainproof. You can choose from a variety of styles and colors, even some options that resemble wood flooring. One con of vinyl flooring, however, is that it can be susceptible to dents from the weight of heavy appliances after long periods of time.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is quickly becoming a popular trend in kitchen flooring, as it’s a more comfortable option than some traditional materials. This material has a unique look that can add to your home’s design aesthetic. It’s also an eco-friendly choice for flooring. Cork flooring tiles and planks are made from tree bark, which means they’re sustainable materials.

This warm, soft flooring can help relieve the strain of standing in your kitchen for hours when preparing family meals. Cork flooring is affordable and a great option for the DIY homeowner. However, it is not as durable as other flooring types, sometimes getting dents and scratches more easily. It can require a higher level of maintenance, needing to be replaced every 3-4 years.

Get a quote on the best type of flooring for your home today

Kitchen Floors by Color

Kitchen flooring comes in a variety of colors to complement your existing decor and cabinetry:

When you’re shopping for new flooring, consider choosing colors that contrast with your kitchen. For instance, dark espresso floors pop against white cabinets for a dramatic look. Or, if that’s not your style, go for a simple and modern monochrome style.

Kitchen Floors by Texture

Some flooring materials also come with an option for different textures:

In addition to color and texture, you also have the design option for how your tile or planks will be laid. Many professional floor installers can use designs like a herringbone pattern, large square tiles, wide planks, and chevron to name a few.

DIY vs. Professional Flooring Installation

Many homeowners prefer to complete their own projects around the home. While you can save money when you install flooring on your own, it can be more beneficial to work with a professional. Installing kitchen flooring requires delicate work and advanced tools to get the job done correctly.

Hiring a floor installation professional means you’re working with a team that is insured and has experience working with homes of all sizes and shapes. They’ll ensure that your measurements are correct. Installing new flooring requires precise measurements at all the corners and angles of your space, then cutting tiles or planks to the exact dimensions of your space. The pros already have the proper tools and equipment to get the job done well.

They can also remove and dispose of your existing flooring. Then, to finish the job, they will install accessories at room entrances or areas where flooring changes, as well as a sealant around the perimeter to ensure longevity.

Free Quote: Get your quote on professional flooring installation today

If you’re remodeling or making repairs to your kitchen, LL Flooring is a company to consider for your flooring needs. With nearly three decades of experience in the industry, LL Flooring offers a vast selection of hardwood, tile, vinyl, and cork flooring options to suit every style and need.

To get started on your next project, schedule an appointment online for a professional consultation at one of the company’s hundreds of locations across the country.

Free Quote: Get your quote on kitchen flooring today

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at [email protected].

Best Kitchen Flooring Options Of December – Forbes Home

Renovating a kitchen can be a complicated process. Unlike a bedroom or living room with few built-in components or complicated wiring outside of a TV or computer set-up, kitchens have a lot of considerations; appliances, plumbing, and electricity all have to come together to make the most of the space and ensure that it works safely.

When considering a kitchen remodel, don’t forget your flooring. Flooring should account for approximately 7% of the remodeling budget if you’re tackling the whole kitchen. It needs to be done earlier in the process, too; painting your kitchen walls may come first, but flooring and cabinets need to come before the countertops, backsplash and appliances. While you may be able to DIY some of these, it’s always a good idea to bring in a professional flooring installation company to ensure the job is done perfectly. Pros and cons of some of the most common and best flooring options for kitchens are below.

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1. Hardwood

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One of the most traditional options, hardwood is still a popular choice for kitchen flooring today. Although not waterproof, solid hardwoods with the correct finish are water-resistant. Spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid damage.

Hardwood floors can be refinished to revamp their look, which can especially come in handy if you’re doing a smaller kitchen renovation and don’t want to overhaul the entire floor to make it match the new aesthetic. Like tile flooring, hardwood can be laid in different patterns for added interest. Lately, reclaimed, recycled and environmentally sustainable hardwood has been of particular interest.

Pros

Cons

2.

Tile

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Tile is a go-to option for areas with frequent exposure to water, like kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile are all common choices for kitchen flooring options. Tile comes in many sizes and colors and can be laid out in a variety of patterns to suit just about any design theme.

Tile is incredibly long-lasting but in some instances, the grout needs to be resealed to keep it stain-resistant. A DIY approach is not recommended when installing tile flooring.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are similar; ceramic tiles are even more durable than porcelain. Both are highly resistant to damage, although due to their hardness, dishes dropped on them will likely break, and because of their weight, they are not recommended for a second-story floor. Porcelain, in particular, is waterproof and easy to clean, but tile can be slippery and grout is prone to stains, so any messes should still be cleaned up right away.

Stone tile is more expensive and also requires more upkeep than ceramic or porcelain. With the proper care, it can be as tough as other types of tile and it’s also more likely to be non-slip because of its porous surface. Stone tile used in flooring includes travertine, marble, slate and granite.

Pros

Cons

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3. Vinyl

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Vinyl flooring has seen a resurgence in recent years because of the modern upgrades it’s received. Engineered vinyl flooring is now available in tiles and planks that mimic the look of hardwood and stone. It’s completely waterproof, has an almost springy feel underfoot, is incredibly easy to clean and is one of the best kitchen flooring options if you want to take the DIY route.

The biggest drawback of vinyl flooring is that it is softer than other options. Large appliances can dent or scratch it, so use caution when moving or upgrading things in the kitchen.

Pros

Cons

4. Laminate

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Laminate has long been a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring. Like vinyl, it can mimic the look of hardwood for a lower cost; unlike vinyl, it is not always waterproof, but waterproof versions are now available as well. Also, like vinyl, laminate flooring is a great option for DIY installation because the planks can be attached to one another and glued down or “floated,” allowing them to be put over an uneven subfloor.

Pros

Cons

5. Cork

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Cork is a relatively new addition to the kitchen flooring market, and it’s another budget-friendly DIY option. Cork flooring can be purchased as peel-and-stick, glue-down or snap-together assembly to look like tiles or planks. Unlike many other flooring options, cork won’t feel cold to the touch, and it has a soft, even springy feel, which makes it a good option for absorbing sound.

Made from ground-up cork combined with resins, cork flooring is available in a variety of gray and brown shades. It resists stains but isn’t waterproof; spills should be cleaned up before they can soak in. However, if it does get stained, cork flooring can be sanded down and then retouched with stain and sealer.

The floor can be dented from heavy appliances, but it has the ability to spring back given time. It can also fade in direct sunlight, so closing the curtains during the brightest time of day is recommended.

Pros

Cons

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THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

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6. Concrete

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Concrete flooring might sound too harsh for a homey area of the house, but it’s actually a very durable option for the kitchen. Stained concrete can be styled to look like wood, stone or even tile, and it can be sealed to be almost completely waterproof—although mats are still recommended near areas of excessive moisture, like in front of the sink or dishwasher.

One of the biggest perks of concrete is its price; it is a much cheaper flooring option, and since it can be designed to look like something else, it doesn’t have to look inexpensive.

Pros

Cons

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Kitchen Flooring, Which Floor to Choose for the Kitchen

Kitchen flooring can cause a lot of trouble during operation or quietly serve faithfully for many years. It all depends on the chosen material and the quality of laying the floor. A bad example of is laminate on HDF board without waterproof treatment: after 1-2 years of regular changes in humidity levels, the fiberboard will begin to dry out, the floorboards will creak, and the parted seams will quickly fill with dirt, blacken, and become moldy. nine0005

As for the design value, almost all modern coatings - porcelain stoneware, PVC tiles, cork flooring, parquet boards, waterproof laminate, linoleum - are represented by a wide variety of collections with decors for wood, natural stone, matting, with patterns and classic ornaments, and also with thematic drawings. Thanks to this, there is always a suitable decor, it remains only to figure out which floor is better to choose for the kitchen according to technical characteristics and cost. nine0005

Basic requirements for kitchen flooring

Best Choice: Kitchen Floor Coverings

Quartz Vinyl Tile

Quartz Vinyl or PVC Tile - not perfect, but probably the closest floor covering: absorption of dyes, compatibility with underfloor heating (effective heat transfer, but there is also a limitation on surface heating - 26-28 ° C).

Under the vinyl floor you will need a perfectly even base, especially under adhesive PVC tiles, the thickness of which is only 2-3 mm, and all screed defects will be displayed on the finish surface. nine0005

✔ Details about the pros and cons of quartz vinyl tiles.

The Polov catalog presents a chic assortment of lock and adhesive vinyl tiles with wood and natural stone decors. In addition, we offer the latest SPC laminate, "pressed stone": flooring on a rigid PVC composite board and a mineral filler, usually calcium carbonate. Due to the rigid base (not inferior in density to porcelain stoneware), base defects are allowed, as well as the use of a warm floor with increased heating - up to 40 ° C. The shortcomings of quartz vinyl tiles have been eliminated without increasing the cost. nine0005

Porcelain stoneware

Ceramic tiles are a classic for kitchen floors. With all the obvious advantages - water resistance, strength, wear resistance, a variety of decors, practicality - porcelain stoneware has a number of significant disadvantages: expensive and complex installation (with the involvement of a tiler), difficult cutting, slippery and cold surface, blackening of seams. However, all the flaws are offset by the low cost of porcelain stoneware.

Cork floor

Cork is the choice for connoisseurs of natural finishing materials. Cork flooring is quite expensive (the price is comparable to a solid board or oak parquet), but very practical flooring for the kitchen: elastic, but durable structure, 100% natural material, wear-resistant varnish, a variety of decors (natural veneer or wood or stone photo printing) ), moisture resistance and water resistance, additional sound and heat insulation. At the same time, the floor surface is warm without heating due to the very low thermal conductivity. nine0005

All of the above advantages apply only to a glued cork floor: the interlocking variant with HDF in the structure does not tolerate moisture changes and does not blend well with the operating conditions in the kitchen. For laying the adhesive cork, as well as for PVC tiles, a perfectly even screed is required.

Natural wood flooring

Wood flooring is not the best, but it is possible for the kitchen. Three-layer parquet board is resistant to moisture, but only with moderate drops. As for massive parquet, the water resistance is even less due to the natural property of wood to absorb and give off excess moisture. Wood is a pleasure to walk barefoot on: a chic choice for a bedroom or living room, but a more practical material is needed for the kitchen. nine0005

Laminate on HDF board

Unless waterproof treatment of HDF base is provided, the laminate is not suitable for the kitchen. Fibreboard is stable only in rooms with moderate humidity: with regular drops, ordinary laminate slowly delaminates, the edges swell, blacken, mold. Even a waterproof laminate, for all its practicality, will not last more than 3-5 years in the kitchen.

Linoleum

PVC linoleum is a budget choice for kitchen flooring. Rolled floor covering is durable, wear-resistant, water-resistant, unpretentious in maintenance, unbeatable in price. However, linoleum is too popular and competitive material: there are many cheap and dangerous fakes on the market. Choosing a more expensive option, it is appropriate to consider quartz vinyl tiles.

We invite you to Polov showrooms in Moscow and Odintsovo: look at samples of kitchen floor coverings, ask related questions to managers, order inexpensive delivery! nine0005

Overview of the best flooring for the kitchen - what to choose?

Not sure which floor is best for your kitchen? Then let's take a look at the pros, cons and photos of the 5 most popular kitchen flooring: wood, tile, stone, laminate and linoleum.

What makes a kitchen flooring choice

The right choice is always based on weighing the pros and cons of the different options. What should you consider when choosing the best floor for your kitchen? nine0005

  1. Cost;
  2. Strength;
  3. Durability;
  4. Demanding material for care;
  5. Design.

The ideal kitchen flooring is low cost, highly resistant to moisture, grease, staining and temperature extremes, and can last up to 50 years with minimal maintenance. Unfortunately, there is no material that would meet all these requirements yet. If you're considering renovating your kitchen flooring, here's how to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the top 5 flooring options, and see some cool ideas for applying them to your kitchen design. We hope this article will help you make the perfect choice for your lifestyle. nine0005

1. Natural wooden floor in the kitchen

Cost: high.

Pros: natural beauty and environmental friendliness. Gives the interior of the kitchen a charming warmth and comfort. With proper care and polishing, it can last for many decades, even hundreds of years.

Cons: high cost and demanding maintenance. Wooden floors are easily scratched (lighter than all other materials), difficult to clean due to the fibrous structure of wood, can be deformed from constant exposure to moisture and sudden changes in temperature. nine0005

Wooden floors in kitchen design (photos and ideas)

Cherry, maple, walnut and oak are considered to be the most attractive natural wooden floors. In general, hardwood is considered not only more luxurious, but also more durable. Accordingly, such flooring for the kitchen will cost you more than any other flooring. But look at the photo, isn't it worth it?

Also read: Fashionable kitchens 2016 - new trends in interior design

Among today's popular kitchen flooring ideas, pay attention to how light and gray parquet shades look, which fit perfectly into modern interior design. Fresh and stylish!

For a more traditional and cozy kitchen design, rich dark wood tones, as well as “patterned” wood structures with knots and grains, are perfect.

Finally, who said that wood can't look creative? Mixing different board sizes or using bright modern palettes can make your kitchen look stunning! nine0005

Also read: Choosing stylish wallpaper for the kitchen (photo 2015)

Pros: good moisture resistance and easy care. The tile has a hard surface that is resistant to moisture and staining due to the fact that it is slightly absorbent. It is hard to scratch and can serve you indefinitely with minimal maintenance. The tile can withstand most detergents, although even without them it is quite easy to clean. nine0005

Cons: weak impact resistance. Despite the general resistance, the tile can crack and even split from the fall of a heavy object. And replacing a broken tile fragment will be more difficult than replacing a damaged board in a laminate. In addition, tiles with a smooth surface are rather slippery, while those that do not slip are porous, i.e. can absorb dirt.

If ceramic and porcelain tiles are of average cost, then marble and porcelain tiles - refers to luxurious flooring. Another type of kitchen floor tile is vinyl , which can be made in the design of stone, wood and other materials.

Unlike ceramic, vinyl flooring is as resistant to impact as it is to water. Their durable surface is difficult to scratch and rub. But vinyl is similar in its softness to linoleum, i.e. over time, dents from furniture, etc. may appear on it.

Interesting ideas for kitchen floor design with tiles

Modern printing technologies allow you to create ceramic tiles with imitation of natural stone, marble, wood, concrete and any other patterns. This versatility practically guarantees that you will be able to find the right flooring design for your kitchen.

In addition, tiles can be laid in dozens of different ways, which opens up endless possibilities for interior design. We bring to your attention some modern ideas for designing floors in the kitchen with tiles. nine0005

3. Natural stone (especially travertine)

Cost: medium high.

Pros: natural beauty and durability. Stone flooring is much harder to scratch or chip than tile or hardwood flooring. In addition, it has an embossed texture that resists slipping. With the right care, stone kitchen floors can serve your family for centuries.

Cons: high maintenance requirements. These floors should only be cleaned with mild detergents and polished periodically to protect their porous surface. Stains may form on the surface of the stone, in particular from wine and other liquids. nine0005

Travertine is a timeless choice for the kitchen and comes in a variety of shapes. Below are 4 photos of stylish kitchens with stone floors.

Also read: Apron for the kitchen - 30 best ideas

4. Laminate for the kitchen

Cost: average.

Pros: availability and ease of installation. Choosing laminate flooring is a great way to save money on a kitchen remodel. It is not only cheaper than many other materials, but it is also so easy to install that it is usually done by hand. nine0005

Cons: low moisture resistance. Unlike tiles and vinyl, laminate flooring can warp from moisture, so it needs special care in the kitchen: moisture insulation, a special cleaner. In addition, laminate flooring does not have the same long shelf life as wood floors, tile, and stone.

A relatively inexpensive type of kitchen flooring, laminate flooring can enhance kitchens just as well as real wood, providing superior scratch resistance. The material is available in a variety of realistic patterns and wood tones. nine0005

5. Natural linoleum

Speaking about what kind of floor to make in the kitchen, one cannot but mention linoleum. It went out of fashion for a long time, but is starting to come back due to its environmental friendliness - natural linoleum is made from linseed oil, resins, wood flour, limestone and pigments.

Cost: medium - low.

Pros: has good staying power. Linoleum can be compared to vinyl, which perfectly resists moisture and pollution. In addition, its canvases fit faster than tiles or parquet. nine0005

Cons: relative fragility and seams.

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