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 kitchen:
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. |