How to choose the right flooring for your kitchen

Choosing the right flooring for your kitchen can be challenging. There are many options out there but make sure you don’t choose the one just based on the looks. Although the flooring is an important design statement, be aware about the durability and maintenance of the material.

In this guide, we will go over some important characteristics of the most popular flooring systems.

Porcelain/Ceramic Tile

Definitely the best selling material for kitchen floors. The main difference between them is that Porcelain is made of finer clay and it’s packed at higher pressure and temperature than ceramic. That being sad, the higher density of porcelain makes it more durable and a lower water absorption rate. Ceramic, also made from clay, is usually a more cost effective option than porcelain and a little easier to cut, making a better option for DIY projects. Being more porous than porcelain, is not recommended for outdoor areas. Overall, one is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on the use. If your biggest consideration is cost or durability, then you’ll know for sure which one fits best. As far as looks, both of them are available in a huge variety of looks and shapes. From stone to wood-look, from 12x12 to 48x38, matte to glossy, the options are endless!

Rigid Vinyl Flooring

This is the fastest-growing product on the market. Whether it’s SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) or WPC (Wood Plastic Composite), they are both 100% waterproof, easy to install, quiet underfoot, and come in a huge variety of colors and styles. Here is the difference between these options:

SPC - The one with the most heavy-duty and dense core. Most times comes with the underlayment attached so it’s ready to install right over the concrete with an interlocking system. It is really resistant to scratches, stains and major impacts.

WPC - This type of flooring is more flexible than SPC so it may feel nicer to walk on. WPC is often superior to SPC when considering the sound insulation. The installation process is the same between the two and they are both great options for houses with kids, pets and a high traffic kitchen.

Hardwood

There’s no question wood is one of the most desirable floorings and the one that adds great value to a house. Being a natural material, it does require quite a bit of care. The surface can be easily discolored and scratched but good news is that it can be refinished. Before deciding to go with wood in your kitchen, have the professional taking care of the installation check the moisture conditions of your subfloor. This can be a significant investment compared to other types of flooring but one thing is for certain: wood is timeless and you would be impressed by how long it can last!

Laminate

One of the best features of this type of flooring is its affordable price and cheaper, quicker installation. With that being sad, it’s not the most durable flooring. Its worst enemy is moisture, which can be challenging in the kitchen area. If you spill water and clean up right away, that is no problem -- but if any liquid sits on your laminate floor for a long period of time, it can stain the floor, and even worse, get to the core of the material and expand out, damaging the installation. Unlike wood, this type of flooring cannot be refinished so if you end up with any damage, you have to replace it. Besides the moisture issue it is a pretty resistant flooring and it’s available in a great range of styles and colors.

Still not sure about which type of flooring to install in your kitchen? Reach out to us and we will be happy to schedule a free in-home consultation!