Best Kitchen Flooring Materials

Your kitchen floor needs to be highly durable. Many things can happen to a floor on a daily basis, whether it be spills, heat, or accidentally dropped utensils. Your kitchen flooring needs to bear all the hazards and still look good. Not every flooring material is suitable for this space, and some materials last long and require less maintenance than others.

Durable kitchen flooring materials

The seven best kitchen flooring materials are:

• Hardwood
• Bamboo
• Ceramic
• Concrete
• Natural stone
• Linoleum
• Vinyl

Hardwood

Hardwood is an extremely durable material in most parts of the house. Though it doesn’t suit areas susceptible to moisture, such as bathrooms. In the past, hardwood wasn’t considered a wise choice for kitchens because moisture is an issue. However modern sealers and polyurethane finishes are contributing to the durability and longevity of hardwood floors, making them suitable for kitchens.

Compared to other flooring options, hardwood flooring is more vulnerable to developing moisture and stains. However, many people love the aged look of a well-used hardwood floor. Furthermore, solid hardwood flooring always gives you the option of sanding and refinishing the floor to make it look all new.

Bamboo

Bamboo is quite similar to hardwood in look and feel but is more resistant to moisture and water damage. To give your kitchen a classy and attractive look, bamboo flooring material is your right choice.

Bamboo is more expensive than hardwood though you benefit from its increased durability. It is more difficult to refinish since there is no natural grain direction to the material. Though with the help of a professional, refinishing is definitely possible.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles are made from natural clay which is glazed, shaped, and fired under heat. This makes ceramic exceptionally durable flooring. It is extremely hard and highly resistant to water and stains. Additionally, ceramic tiles (including porcelain) are heat and breakage-resistant. Under normal situations, they can last forever with only minor changes to their appearance or functioning.

Ceramic tiles are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, natural patterns, and sizes.

Concrete tile

Concrete flooring is another cheap and outlasting option for your kitchen, especially if you are living on the ground floor. Oftentimes, a concrete slab will already be present underneath the existing floor coverings. This surface can be stained, polished, or treated in several ways to make it appealing and stylish flooring for your kitchen. If there is no concrete slab available, you can install a new pour over a variety of subfloor surfaces. Concrete floors are mostly found in modern-style kitchens.

Natural stone tile

Natural stone is a durable and lasting flooring option for any kitchen.

Natural stone flooring options include:

• Granite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Sandstone
• Slate
• Travertine

Natural stone gives your kitchen a very luxurious look. Granite and marble, in particular, both consist of an appealing veining that gives a floor a unique appearance. When it comes to selling your house, a kitchen with natural stone flooring is an added bonus.

Natural stone is porous and vulnerable to water and liquid stain penetration, which are both common issues in the kitchen. However, this problem can be solved with a quality penetrating stone sealer. Annual applications help solve this problem by creating an invisible coat of protection over the stone.

Moreover, different types of stones have different characteristics such as scratch resistance, durability, and hardness. When properly sealed and maintained, granite and slate can last for years. Sandstone and travertine, on the other hand, are more likely to wear with time but still perform well over long periods. Polished marble is most likely to quickly develop scratches and stains.

Linoleum

Linoleum was a popular kitchen flooring material fifty years ago and is now making a massive comeback. Linoleum is made of all-natural linseed oil, which makes the material environmentally friendly and easy to clean. If properly maintained, linoleum can last up to 40 years.

Vinyl

Vinyl is the most convenient and versatile kitchen flooring option. It is a man-made material that is highly resistant to damage, stains, and water problems. Cleaning vinyl is easy as it can be kept through vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping.

Vinyl can begin to wear after 7-10 active years of use in the kitchen. However, it is the least expensive and most DIY-friendly among all the other flooring materials. The modern version of vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl is a top-quality flooring option that is available in styles that look similar to wood or stone.

What should you consider when choosing a floor?

Durability

Choose the material that can withstand frequent spills without leaving stains and is unbreakable when kitchen utensils fall off.

Resistance to water

Your kitchen is a semi-wet area so choose a flooring material that does not get damaged in case you or your child accidentally spills any liquid.

Easy to clean

Kitchens are areas highly prone to messes and spills, so ensure that your flooring is easy to clean.

Design-friendly

Choose a flooring material that complements the rest of your home. With a wide variety of kitchen flooring options available, you can select any material that is resilient and stylish.

Ready to install the perfect flooring?

Kitchen flooring must be durable, stylish, and require low maintenance. The proper installation plays a massive role in the longevity and strength of flooring material. Contact Flooring HQ to help you choose the best flooring material that matches your requirements. Our experienced professionals guarantee a clean and proper installation of your new kitchen flooring.