What is the Best Flooring for Kitchens?

As the foundation of one of the most used spaces in your home, you want your kitchen flooring to look great and function well. It needs to be durable and water resistant enough to withstand frequent entertaining while also making your guests feel welcome (and maybe even eliciting a few compliments!).

While much of the decision comes down to your personal style preferences, there are a few flooring types that work better in kitchens than others:

Tile Flooring

Tile is the go-to choice for kitchen flooring. It is long-lasting, waterproof, stain-resistant, easy to clean, and incredibly durable. It comes in nearly any size, shape, and color you could want, making it easy to coordinate cabinets, countertops, and decor.

The biggest downside to a tile floor is its cost - compared to other options, tile is generally more expensive. While its longevity makes up for some of this, it might not be the best option for you if you don’t plan on sticking with your current kitchen design for a long time.

Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring also comes in a wide variety of designs and colors (though not nearly as many as tile does!).  If you want the look of hardwood, tile, or marble without the price tag of these options, vinyl is a great way to imitate the look for less money.  Vinyl is also waterproof and can even cushion your feet a bit while you prepare meals.

This bit of softness is also one of its drawbacks, however - heavy appliances and furniture can permanently leave their mark on your floor if they are in the same place for too long.  Vinyl flooring can also dent or be punctured by falling kitchen utensils.  As long as you keep its properties in mind, however, it will serve you well for many, many meals!

Cork Flooring

While it is not usually the first type of flooring that comes to mind, cork flooring is growing in popularity for its comfort and eco-friendliness. It is also relatively inexpensive, resistant to both water and mold, and brings a unique look to your kitchen. 

Just as with vinyl plank flooring, the softness that makes it comfortable also makes it less durable than other flooring types - even more so than with vinyl planks.  Cork floors are fairly easy to dent and scratch, and they don’t last nearly as long as most other flooring types - under normal use, a cork kitchen floor might need to be replaced in as little as 3 or 4 years!

When choosing a kitchen floor, durability, water-resistance, and appearance are often the biggest deciding factors. Tile, vinyl planks, and cork all provide these three necessities in varying degrees - the best choice for your kitchen depends on which is most important and what style you prefer.

Regardless of your choice of materials, quality installation is essential for a great-looking and long-lasting kitchen floor. Call our flooring experts to ensure that your new kitchen floor is everything you want it to be!