Choosing the Best Kitchen Floor Material
Kitchen floors are one of the busiest spots in any home, making choosing an appropriate floorcovering a top priority. Finding an option that meets all these criteria depends heavily on lifestyle, personal style and functionality factors.
Stone offers an elegant aesthetic while remaining durable; when sealed properly it should last years of use without showing signs of wear and tear.
Tile
Tile flooring is an adaptable kitchen floor material, offering endless customization possibilities in terms of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes. Tile is the go-to material for busy kitchens as its stain-resistance makes cleaning simple.
Ceramic floor tiles offer a cost-effective and long-term solution to kitchen flooring needs, especially when chosen according to PEI specifications. When shopping, make sure the style meets all relevant specifications so it will withstand daily kitchen use.
As kitchens strive for an atmospheric aesthetic, moody black floor tile has made its way into kitchen design. Bethany Adams used black porcelain tiles in a herringbone pattern in this galley kitchen from Bethany Adams that visually expand the space while complementing its textured concrete skim coat walls. Additionally, this style helps separate an open plan space by clearly distinguishing between the kitchen and its adjacent living areas.
Stone
Stone adds an appealing and timeless finish to kitchen floors, both flagstones and tiles alike. Not only is this natural material durable, it will withstand years of wear and tear without showing signs of damage or wear and tear itself. But due to being highly porous it must be sealed regularly in order to protect itself against stains, bacteria and mold growth.
Kitchen floor stones can be arranged into many patterns and geometric designs for an eye-catching kitchen floor design. Choose between rustic country looks created by tumbled limestone tiles or sleek modern floors using honed marble tiles – you have plenty of options when selecting tiles for the floor!
Though stone floors can be costly, they will increase the value of your home while being easy to care for. Simply sweep or vacuum regularly while also periodically wet mopping with pH-balanced cleaner will keep them looking their best!
Terra Cotta
Terracotta (baked earth) adds an organic charm to kitchens. Its warm red tones blend well with many other colors. Terra cotta tiles come either glazed or unglazed for an authentic rustic appearance; both require regular sealings against acidic foods and oils that could stain their surface.
Material such as stone is also highly adaptable and works well in both small spaces and expansive layouts, like that used by designer Cecy J. Interiors to give this cook space the feeling of an old Spanish Hacienda. She used a patterned backsplash and textured floor to give this kitchen space its warm hacienda aesthetic.
If you like the idea of covering your kitchen floors with this material, Wayfair offers many choices that will work in almost every layout imaginable – from traditional square tiles to geometric patterns that will complement modern kitchen designs.
Linoleum
Linoleum flooring material once common in diners and other public spaces has made a comeback, as used by designers such as Beata Heuman to add pops of color and pattern while being durable enough for areas that see heavy traffic.
Linoleum flooring is produced by pressing solidified linseed oil (derived from seeds of the flax plant) with resin, wood flour, cork dust, whiting ground limestone and pigments onto a jute backing. It can be customized to resemble tile, stone or even wood patterns and come equipped with protective surface treatments that make maintenance simple.
Before beginning to install linoleum flooring, remove all furniture and floor decorations. Use a tape measure and paper template to mark out the dimensions of the floor area – including corners or obstructions.
Cork
Cork flooring is an environmentally friendly choice for kitchen floors, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees and harvested every eight to 14 years without harming them. Regenerating over time without harming trees further makes cork a sustainable flooring option that provides cushioning against shock while simultaneously keeping rooms warm in winter and cool in summer. Cork also retains heat well for insulation, keeping rooms at an ideal temperature all year round.
Cork’s unique cellular structure naturally repels bacteria, mildew and allergens – making it an excellent option for families. Furthermore, cork can be stained or dyed to give it different colors from natural wood tone to near stony look.
Cork flooring can be vulnerable to denting from stiletto heels and untrimmed dog claws, so pads should be used under furniture legs and spills should be cleaned up quickly.