Evaluate
& Compare - Kitchen Flooring
The
choice of kitchen flooring material is broad; vinyl
in sheet or tiles, ceramic tile, wood floors and now,
the new laminates. Which is best for you ? Each of the
choices has its fans and some choices are more prevalent
in one part of the country more than others. Ceramic
tile is often chosen for homes in the West and South.
Wood floors are extremely popular in the East and MidWest.
Vinyl floors are the perennial favorite in all parts
of the country and laminates are gaining popularity
all across the country.
Use these insights to help you select the right floor
for your superkitchen
- Light
or neutral tones emphasize the impression of light
and space, while darker shades offer warmth and
intimacy. Even the finish on a floor contributes
to this effect. Higher gloss adds to a feeling of
spaciousness, while a subdued or matte finish can
have the opposite effect. Stronger color may be
wonderful in a smaller space, but it may be too
strong in a larger space.
- It
is not always possible to use the same flooring
all over the house, and it could be boring. It is
often successful to keep the same tonal range when
selecting floors. For example, the kitchen may require
a hard-working practical floor, but these can be
blended to match adjoining floor material.
- We
can't always push the walls to create more space,
but you can use your floor to create the feeling
of more space. If you have small spaces with many
divisions, you may wish to consider coordinating
the look with a single floor. Large open spaces
may require a larger scale pattern. Most decorating
rules can be broken. A small room can also look
great with a strong color or a dramatic pattern
on the floor.
| Material |
Relative
Cost |
Advantage/
Disadvantage |
Care |
|
| Solid
Wood |
High |
Beauty,
warmth. Can scratch, dent. Not affected by heavy
traffic patterns. |
Depends
on finish. Some polyurethane sealed wood floors
require only light care. Avoid water. |
|
| Tile |
Medium
high |
Broad
style, color and pattern selection. Cool floors
for hot climates. Won't scratch. Grout lines will
chip and discolor with some stains. Heavy traffic
not a problem. |
Easy
to clean, requires no waxing or special cleaners. |
|
| Laminate |
Medium |
Large
color pattern selection. Resists scratching and
heavy traffic wear. |
Easy
to care for with light cleaners. |
|
| Vinyl |
Low
to Medium |
Color
pattern selection. Most vinyl resists dulling with
use, but will cut (dropped knives, etc.) |
Heel
marks difficult to remove. Can stain. Requires mopping
with cleaners. |
Content
Provided From Superkitchens.com
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