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Best type of flooring for a kitchen


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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Best Flooring for Kitchens in 2021 – The Good Guys

Your kitchen is a rallying point for activities. So it should come as no surprise that when choosing flooring for the kitchen, you'll want something durable. Waterproof options are also a good idea to prevent floor failures from splashes and spills. These are the Top Flooring Options, built to last in your kitchen this year.

Picture this: It’s the holiday season. You’re having a bunch of friends and family over to celebrate and spread some merriment. The place is packed. There’s food, drinks, and everyone is having a grand ole time. 

Now picture this: Where is everyone standing and hanging out together?

If you’ve ever had your own place or been to a gathering, you probably pictured that good time happening in the kitchen. Let’s be honest – the kitchen is the central hub of the home and the place where everyone tends to congregate. It’s a high-traffic area, that is frequently exposed to spills, dirt, and moisture. Kitchens need to have durable, water-friendly flooring, but what is the best flooring for kitchens?

Everyone circle around the island, pull up a stool and grab a seasonal beverage, as we review the options for kitchen flooring. We’ll focus on what’s hot for 2021 in kitchen flooring, different types of flooring, which kitchen flooring is best, cheap flooring options and more. But first . . .

Special Considerations Underfoot

Unlike other rooms in the home, the kitchen gets used daily – either for food storage and preparation, group or family dining, or just as a rallying point for activities. Kitchens take a beating unlike any other room – save maybe the bathroom. It’s no coincidence that both are regularly exposed to moisture. From washing dishes, sinks, cooking, ice makers/refrigerators, to regular foot traffic, moisture is a real consideration that affects every surface in the kitchen, especially the floor. When choosing flooring for the kitchen, waterproof is key.

Due to the number of kid, adult, and pet feet meandering through the kitchen each day, a durable floor is also critical. Many kitchens double as a “mudroom” with an exterior entrance and all the fun, dirt, debris, and moisture one could track from the outside to beat up your floor.

Additionally, like in a bathroom, all that moisture on a hard surface can be an accident waiting to happen. Many waterproof flooring options get extremely slippery when moisture is applied to them. Non-slip options should be a consideration for any flooring installed in a kitchen. 

Remember, working with a flooring and remodeling professional, like your partners at The Good Guys, can help you identify considerations like these and put you on the path toward making the right flooring choice for your project. 

Recommended Flooring for Kitchens

Factoring in those aforementioned special considerations, and others such as price (who doesn’t love cheap flooring?!), let’s take a look at some of the types of flooring that work best in kitchens. 

Hardwood

Used for centuries in homes, hardwood floors continue to be a luxurious and popular choice for many homeowners. Solid hardwood floors are durable, warm, stylish and water-resistant. Yes. You read that right. Hardwood floors are not waterproof. Solid hardwoods, when combined with the proper finish are water-resistant, but long-term exposure to moisture will damage them. Spills should be cleaned as soon as possible; however, they can take more exposure than a laminate or engineered hardwood floor with composite or non-water-resistant cores can handle. 

Despite this “weakness,” hardwoods are a great kitchen floor. They can also add a variety of looks over the years of their life through refinishing either to match flooring throughout the home or to give the kitchen some standalone pizazz. Depending on the finish, hardwood floors can be slippery, however, design variables such as hand-scraped or distressed finishes or plank width/length can provide extra surface area for traction. 

Trends to watch for with hardwoods in 2021: lighter finishes and variety. While the deep walnut and cherry finishes are somewhat traditional and timeless, hardwood flooring for 2021 will feature lighter, more “natural” wood colors. Look for terms like “blonde” and “honey” to be big players, along with grays and whitewashes. Color variety is another continuing trend for 2021 – dark wood mixed with light and medium-tone woods provide an eye-catching floor. 

Much like lay patterns for tile, hardwood flooring can be laid in patterns for added interest. Your flooring pros at The Good Guys can also help you with pattern installation that is going to be on-trend for 2021 but timeless for the future. Herringbone, diagonal and other install patterns will continue to be popular choices, but wide plank and mixing plank widths are also coming back strong. 

Look for reclaimed, recycled, and environmentally sustainable choices to be popular varieties for hardwood flooring. 

Laminate

Generally speaking, like hardwood floors, laminate floors are a warm, water-resistant choice for the kitchen. As they are not waterproof, homeowners should remember to factor this in when selecting laminate. Laminates have long been a less-expensive way to get the look of traditional hardwood.  

HOWEVER – many flooring manufacturers are now offering “waterproof laminate” which features a rigid core made of waterproof material that adds strength and stability. These do away with the perceived weakness to moisture.

These new laminates still have the advantages of traditional laminates – including the flexibility of installation. Most laminate floors can be clicked together and either permanently installed (glued down) or floated, allowing for installation over uneven subfloors. 

Much the same as hardwood, lighter finishes will be the trend for 2021. Gray washes, light woods, and mixed colors will lead the style parade. Also look for longer plank lengths, even up to 36” and 48”, combined with wider planks (as wide as 8”!) to be a trend for all wood and wood-look laminates. 

Mimicking solid hardwood flooring’s distinctive colors and patterns remains a primary selling feature of laminate floors. Hand-scraped, distressed, rustic, and “reclaimed” looks will all continue to be popular for 2021, as homeowners continue to want unique, realistic looks for their floors. Pattern installs like chevron or herringbone remain popular and assist with achieving those looks. 

Tile

A classic and durable look, tile flooring has long been the go-to option for wet areas. If installed, grouted and sealed properly, tile can last a lifetime and sometimes longer. Tile is, anecdotally-speaking, the number one most popular option for kitchen flooring. A wide variety of kitchen floor tiles are available, so it’s helpful to understand the differences and narrow it down to a few options you prefer. 

Remember – your advisor at The Good Guys can help select the best kitchen floor tile option for your project and you should take them up on this offer!

Here’s a look at the most popular varieties of tile for kitchen floors.

Ceramic or Porcelain

One of the most durable, and most popular tile for kitchen floors or walls. Ceramic tiles are man-made from natural materials – in this case, clay – and baked to a finish. They are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes, colors, and patterns.  

Ceramic tiles can handle spills, splatters, and messes dished out in most kitchens. While they won’t damage the tile, these messes can stain grout, so where possible they should be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

Among the most popular style of ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are 100% waterproof and can handle just about any stain. They are harder than standard ceramics due to a higher temperature baking process which strengthens the tile for durability. That durability can make them slippery in some finishes, so be on the lookout for slip-resistant tiles or tiles with non-slip features like patterns or texture. These are found commonly on ceramic and porcelain tiles meant to look like wood or natural stone, which can be difficult to install, so give your professional partners at The Good Guys a call. 

Natural Stone

Another great tile option for kitchens is made of natural stone. On the higher end of the price scale, stone tiles (think marble, granite, etc.), like ceramic, are offered in a variety of colors and patterns, however, the most popular options tend to feature colors or patterns that occur naturally, rather than man-made. 

Natural stone tile does require a bit more care than porcelain or ceramic. Typically, they need to be sealed following install and re-sealed at regular intervals as time progresses. But with proper care, they are a beautiful and tough surface for your kitchen. 

For 2021, tiles continue to be popular as kitchen flooring. Especially those that mimic traditional hardwood floors, with planks and “grain” finish details. Larger tile sizes remain popular, as they have in previous years. Plank tile 8” wide by 48” long is a big hit, as are 12” x 24” ceramic tiles.  Despite these trends, subway tiles will continue to be popular, along with decorative mosaic tiles.  Traditional square tiles were trending down in recent years, but in larger formats, they are making a comeback in popularity! 

Mixing tile sizes and patterned installations will be popular again in 2021. Installing a room entirely diagonal, or even using a herringbone or chevron install to spice up a more traditional tile, are just a few of the options. 

Vinyl

Perhaps the most popular flooring option in recent years, and for 2021 shows no signs of slowing down. But many people looking for kitchen flooring don’t know anything about modern vinyl flooring. This is not the sheet vinyl your parents used to have; this ain’t mom’s linoleum!

Vinyl flooring today, which was formerly a purely commercial product, is most popularly offered in tiles and planks, and popular varieties of vinyl will be referred to as LVT or LVP. These stand for “Luxury Vinyl Tile” and “Luxury Vinyl Plank”. Basically – you’re getting good vinyl either in a tile or plank.  Most importantly in the vinyl acronym world is the reference to vinyl as WPC or SPC: Wood Plastic Composite or Stone Plastic Composite.  

WPC and SPC refer to the core of the vinyl flooring. WPC uses wood and polymers in the core for stability and strength; SPC vinyl has a stone/plastic composite core, made largely of stone dust, stabilizers, and PVC to strengthen the tile. Both feature a foam or cork backing to soften the floor underfoot and deaden sound. The vinyl layer from where the floor gets its name is the prominent feature of these floors, showing the near-infinite colors and patterns, and they’re topped with a wear layer for added protection from scrapes and spills.

Both vinyl types are fully waterproof and can be installed “floating” above the subfloor. They’re a great option for kitchens and even bathrooms, they can even be installed in basements -- if you have a kitchen in the basement. And let’s be honest, if you do, that’s awesome!

While vinyl flooring is a bit softer than some other options (looking at you, ceramic tiles!), it’s still a tough, durable flooring solution. Popular trends for 2021 include the most popular variant of the vinyl: wood look. Vinyl designed to mimic solid hardwoods is responsible for driving the vinyl market, offering customers the look of wood, with a softer underfoot yet extremely durable product.

Vinyl flooring will also continue to move toward lighter colors and finishes for 2021. Look for the whitewash and “blonde” coloring on wood look and gray on stone look vinyl.  Interesting “finish” patterns are also becoming more popular like wire, and vinyl is offered in a near-infinite array of colors and patterns. The same install patterns that are popular for hardwood will also be for your vinyl think chevron, herringbone or diagonal and look to install in a pattern or patterns to tailor the unique look to your home. 

Stained Concrete

Perhaps the most basic and most durable kitchen flooring option is stained concrete. Offering a sleek look that can be tailored to be modern or traditional, concrete is extremely durable and can be sealed to completely waterproof, which is necessary as concrete typically absorbs most fluids... Frankly, most homes have concrete sub-flooring in them today. However, you’ll need to work with a professional like your pals at The Good Guys to properly prepare the surface for staining. 

Concrete floors can be stained to look like wood, or stone, even some tiles. It can be slippery once finished, however, there are options to make the flooring less slick. So mats in the kitchen probably are a good idea wherever excessive moisture may occur – think in front of a sink. 

Look for lighter finishes, as we saw with the other flooring products. As there are no tiles to specifically install and arrange, the unique looks come from the finish, including the color and patterns.  

Stained concrete is one of the best cheap flooring options for 2021 as well, so it can be a great economical option for your kitchen floors. Want it to look like marble? No problem! Want hardwood or traditional ceramic tile looks? No problem!  

As you can see, 2021 is going to be an exciting year for flooring. If you’re interested in bringing some of that excitement home to your kitchen, contact your flooring pro partners at The Good Guys for help on choosing the best type of flooring for your job.

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

How to choose the right kitchen flooring

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  2. Helpful information

Contents
1. Ceramic tiles
2. Linoleum for the kitchen
3. Moisture resistant laminate
4. Quartz vinyl tiles
5. PVC tile (vinyl tile)
6. Output

Choosing flooring for your kitchen is never easy. After all, the main task of the homeowner is not only to provide the premises with an aesthetic appearance. Floor material must meet a number of requirements. And in this case, the price is a significant, but not the only factor influencing the purchase decision. What to choose for the kitchen? Ceramic tile, laminate or linoleum? Or maybe there are other options? These are the questions we are trying to figure out now. nine0005


Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tile is one of the most popular materials for arranging floors in the kitchen. This is a strong, durable cladding with a number of positive characteristics. She has a pretty good presentation. Ceramics resistant to moisture, aggressive effects of fat, steam, household chemicals. This material does not conduct electricity. Indeed - a classic design of the floor in the kitchen.


Almost everyone knows about the advantages of ceramic tiles. Only few people pay attention to the shortcomings of this coating. And he has weaknesses. And they also need to be taken into account.

  1. Price. Karmic tiles are almost always more expensive. This applies to both the purchase of the cladding itself, and installation. For its installation, it is required to buy additional adhesive solutions, a tool for installation, and order the services of craftsmen. nine0016
  1. Difficult to install. The process of installing tiles requires the involvement of professionals. This is a complete repair with mixing solutions, splashes on the walls, dust. The curing process of the adhesive solution is quite long. The result is not always "perfect".
  1. Cold surface. Ceramic has excellent thermal conductivity. In this case, the absorbed heat passes below - to the rough screed. The tile itself always remains cold. There is, of course, a solution to the thermal problem. You can organize a floor heating system. But the cost of such repairs will increase significantly. In addition, energy bills also do not decrease. nine0016
  1. Slippery. The tile slides and that's a fact. This property, when the surface is moistened, only increases. Even if the tile has a matte surface, it still does not have sufficient anti-slip properties when wet. Therefore, it cannot be attributed to an absolutely safe coating.
  1. High surface hardness. Due to the high hardness of the surface, any drop of glass, porcelain, ceramic dishes is likely to be damaged. It also causes an increased risk of injury to humans. nine0016
  1. Low maintainability. If a tile is accidentally damaged, it is almost impossible to restore it. You need to change the fragment to a new one. This is accompanied by a complex process of dismantling the damaged element and preparing the site for a new one. If you don’t have a “replacement” left in stock, then finding exactly the same tile is often very difficult.


Ceramic tiles do have many advantages, but also many disadvantages. Therefore, you should always consider other, alternative flooring options for the kitchen before buying. nine0005

Kitchen linoleum

In the list of competitors of PVC floor tiles, linoleum takes first place. This is an objectively high quality suitable flooring that has the most affordable price. Easy to install even by non-professionals. Such material forms a seamless coating with high presentability. Manufacturers offer linoleum for the kitchen with an assortment of patterns, which allows you to decorate the floor in any design style.

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The advantages of linoleum stand out:


Among the shortcomings can be identified not so high durability. The service life of household linoleum is usually 8-10 years. But during this time, you yourself may want to “refresh” your kitchen with new flooring. nine0005

Moisture resistant laminate

Moisture resistant laminate consists of several layers. The basis is high-density chipboard or HDF. The property of resistance to moisture is given to the laminate by pasting with special resinous paper and applying wax to the surface. The material not only resists moisture absorption, but repels moisture. It demonstrates excellent performance and provides an elite appearance. In the kitchen, this flooring will look simply gorgeous. nine0005


Moisture resistant laminate is a floor material that: