If you’re thinking about getting a kitchen remodel, one of the biggest upgrades you can get for your new space would undoubtedly be a new kitchen floor.
Naturally, you’ll want to invest your money wisely, for a kitchen floor that’s durable, resistant, and offers good value for its price. Luckily, there are several flooring materials that make a great kitchen floor, and depending on how high-traffic your kitchen is, one of these will be the best in your case.
In this article, you’ll discover what are the best kitchen flooring materials for your new kitchen, but also how to match your new floor with the rest of your home.
Let’s begin!
5. Cork Flooring
Cork is a rather old player in the kitchen flooring materials, and if you’re into DIY, this material will be your best friend. Cork flooring can be installed over wood or concrete subfloors, but you’ll want to make sure the surface is perfectly flat. Even the smallest bump will be visible through a cork floor.
The wood layer in cork is a high-density fiberboard which is highly susceptible to water damage. Even when sealed, the seams between the planks can remain vulnerable, so never let water rest on a cork kitchen floor.
This flooring material offers a comfortable and cozy vibe to your space, but it fails when it comes to functionality. You’ll have to seal a cork floor every 2-3 years. Basic maintenance also involves sweeping or vacuuming the floor daily.
4. Laminate Flooring
When it comes to kitchen flooring materials, laminate flooring in kitchens is somewhere in the gray area. It’s similar to vinyl, except it is more affordable and has a relatively lower quality than other kitchen flooring materials.
Laminate flooring, in general, is not waterproof, and even the products marketed as waterproof are not entirely immune to water damage. Laminate is also not as durable as some of the other options we’ll mention.
On the other hand, this flooring is super DIY friendly and can be installed either by snapping them together, or by being glued down.
Like wood floors and vinyl, laminate will have to be constantly sealed and maintained for. While this can protect the laminate sheets from moisture and water, it’s far from enough to make it truly immune to water damage.
3. Luxury Vinyl Tile Or Plank Flooring
As we’re reaching the top three flooring materials for your kitchen, we’re also reaching more expensive kitchen flooring materials for which you’ll have to reconsider your budget.
Lately, LVP and LVT really gained a lot of ground when it comes to kitchen flooring materials. They’re increasingly more sought-after by homeowners looking for a beautiful and affordable flooring option.
While vinyl flooring has been on the market for a rather long time, it’s been greatly improved with modern upgrades that make the vinyl sheets mimic the natural look of hardwoods or stone.
Apart from the aesthetics, luxury vinyl planks and tiles are completely waterproof, are not as cold as real tile under your feet, and it’s one of the easiest floors to maintain.
- One of the biggest drawbacks of vinyl is that heavy appliances or furniture can dent or scratch the vinyl sheets.
2. Hardwood Flooring
If you thought hardwood would be our first choice, guess again. Hardwood is a great flooring material, but not for damp spaces like a kitchen or a bathroom. After all, this is real wood, and wood’s worst enemy remains water, even with sealants and constant care.
With the right sealant, wood’s resistance to water can improve, but even so, water spills will need to be removed from the surface as soon as possible to avoid any kind of damage.
One of the best parts about hardwood floors is that they can be sanded down and refinished for years upon years. For smaller projects and quick uplifts, this is a great way to boost your kitchen’s looks and vibe.
Engineered Wood Flooring - A Great Alternative
Hardwoods can be quite expensive, but luckily, modern technology made it possible to enjoy wood floors at a more affordable price.
Engineered hardwoods consist of a plywood core, but with solid hardwood faces. Compared to natural hardwoods, these two materials look the same and bring similar functionality. In fact, engineered hardwoods are easier to install because they can snap together.
On the other side, you can only refinish an engineered wood plank for 2 to 3 times until you reach the plywood core.
1. Tile Flooring
At this point, you could’ve guessed our #1 pick for kitchen flooring materials. Tile is and will remain for a long time one of the best options for your kitchen floor. And for good reason.
They’re completely immune to water damage, they’re strong, durable, extremely easy to maintain, and don’t require any sealants to function at full capacity. From an aesthetic standpoint, a beautiful tile pattern will create a mesmerizing design that’ll transform your kitchen into a unique space that all your guests will envy.
Tile is, indeed, more expensive than other kitchen flooring materials, but the value it’ll bring is undeniable. Natural stone tile, for example, will be more expensive, but there are better options to use for your kitchen flooring.
Although your decision got easier, it’s not over yet. Let’s look at some tile materials that take your kitchen floor a step further.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is a type of ceramic tile that’s harder, stronger, and even more water-resistant than other ceramics. Porcelain can last a lifetime, and the worst thing about them is they’ll feel cold and hard under your feet.
The good part is that tile can be installed directly on the concrete flooring, so you won’t need any subfloor.
Porcelain is notably more expensive than other tiles. In general, you’ll pay between $5 to $25 or more per square foot for porcelain tiles. Professional installation is required, and expect to add another $10 to $30 per square foot.
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are a very popular flooring option in bathrooms, kitchens, offices, laundry rooms, and basements. Ceramic is defined by a multitude of sizes, shapes, beautiful and detailed textures, and affordable prices.
Ceramic tile is very easy to maintain and sealing is optional. This kitchen flooring material is also cost-effective, however, the larger the tile, the higher the price.
Quartz Tile
Quartz is famous for its durability and resistance to scratches, cracks, and chips. In kitchens with a very high traffic, quartz is probably the best flooring option you can think of. Besides all these, quartz is also resistant to heat and water.
This material is manufactured, so its cost is higher than other materials. However, quartz is clearly a material that will pay off in the long run.
Conclusion
Kitchen flooring materials have different qualities, and the best one will really depend on what you’re looking to achieve with your kitchen remodel. As a rule of thumb, the best flooring for kitchens are usually either luxury vinyl plank floors, either tile kitchen floors.
- If you're looking for a cozy room with a warm floor that is easy to maintain, luxury vinyl planks or tiles will probably be your best choice. They're also affordable and can resemble more upscale materials.
- If, on the other hand, you're looking to get a high-end kitchen floor material that'll help your kitchen reach its true potential, a porcelain or quartz tile floor will be ideal.
To learn what’s trendy in kitchen flooring materials, don’t hesitate to check out NKBA website and get inspiration for your upcoming project!
At Mortise & Miter, we offer professional kitchen remodeling services for homeowners in Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, and more of Johnson County.
Call us today at (913) 214-6211 to discuss what would be the best kitchen flooring materials for your new space, or request a quote and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!