In a kitchen remodel for your Atlanta home, one of the first things you should plan for is the flooring. Kitchen floors have to be a lot of things. They have to be durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and they should be easy to clean and maintain. In addition, the flooring is a major design element that can define your kitchen’s look.
With these in mind, you should give your choice of kitchen floor material plenty of thought and research. To help you get started, check out some of the top options listed below.
Porcelain tiles
A classic favorite, porcelain tiles bring elegance and luxury into your kitchen. Porcelain tiles are an upgrade from ceramic tiles. They’re less porous and harder, making them more resistant to stain and damage. They’re available in glazed finish if you want a glassy sheen, or unglazed finish if you want to retain the earthy quality of its clay material.
Vinyl
Vinyl is another timeless kitchen flooring favorite. It costs so much less than porcelain tiles, but can mimic the look of porcelain. It can also be made to look like wood or stone down to the texture and color.
Vinyl is also resilient flooring. It feels slightly softer than other flooring types, which can be a great relief when you have to spend long hours in the kitchen. Moreover, vinyl is stain proof, waterproof, and easy to clean.
You can get vinyl flooring as tiles or as 12 feet sheets for minimal seams. Many vinyl sheets are highly affordable, so they’re a great choice if you need to watch your budget.
Laminate
Laminate has gained tremendous popularity in the last few years. Made from different synthetic materials, including resin and fiberboard, and finished with a clear protective layer, laminate flooring is typically manufactured to closely resemble wood. Because it’s largely synthetic, it can be given a variety of looks, including distressed wood, hand scraped wood, and so on. Newer laminate flooring has a waterproof finish, making it even more ideal for kitchens.
Engineered wood
Unlike laminate flooring, engineered wood has real wood as one of the components. The core is made of synthetic materials, but the top layer is a thin veneer of solid wood. The latest variation has a waterproof SPC (stone plastic composite) core, making it perfect for kitchens. You get the warm, traditional appeal of wood, and the durability and protection of synthetic materials. Unlike hardwood flooring, engineered wood will not warp and is less susceptible to rotting, especially when frequently exposed to water and the kitchen’s damp conditions.
Cork
Cork is considered the most comfortable flooring for kitchens. It is also waterproof, making it an ideal material for kitchens, and comes with a textured surface that provides some protection from slipping. It has a unique look that’s difficult to replicate, which can therefore add character to your kitchen. Moreover, because it is made from tree bark that regrows, cork is a sustainable, environment-friendly material.
Ask your contractor and designer about kitchen flooring options to find one that matches your budget and the look that you want.
Sources:
Surviving Stressful Renovations, CIDNetwork.net
15 Tips on Surviving a Kitchen Renovation Project, STLToday.com
