It is easy to be excited when shopping for kitchen flooring after we have gone
through hundreds of home interior design magazines but it is not sensible to
choose a material based on looks alone. Narrow the choices to a few of your
favorites and then take a trip to a flooring store or home center for a test
drive.
We do most activity in the kitchen while we are standing so it is wise to look
for something that is easy on the legs. While shopping take your shoes off and
stand on the floor in your bare feet and see how it feels. Is the floor
comfortable or too hard under your feet? Put your shoes back on and go for a
walk and see how the floor sounds on the noise level. Today's kitchens are more
open than ever attaching to the den or even opening up to the great room. The
noise from shoes can create problems while others are talking or watching TV.
Remember too that the kitchen is typically the busiest spot in the house so you
want a floor that wears well too. With the kids and the animals it doesn't take
long to wear the floor down, not to mention all the foot traffic and spills.
Durability is important in today's full families and ease of maintenance should
be taken into consideration too.
These are different floorings to be considered:
Wood fits an assortment of decor styles and is warm underfoot, easy on the legs
and is basically a quiet floor option. The maintenance and durability of a wood
floor depend greatly on what species of wood is being used and how that wood is
finished. One of the worries with wood is that it may be scratched, but wood
floors can always be sanded and refinished.
For homeowners who want an exceptionally tough floor and requires little
maintenance, laminate is a great option. Laminate is factory-finished and can be
easily installed over an existing floor making installation a breeze. While
laminate has its advantages, it lacks the warmth and character typically
associated with natural wood and some may find it noisy.
Ceramic tile allows for a great deal of customization in terms of colors and
patterns. Though tile is easy to clean with a damp mop, the surrounding grout
can be difficult to maintain and keep clean. Ceramic tile can be very hard on
the legs not to mention dropped dishes. It doesn't help with sound control in
the kitchen and can be quite cold underfoot.
If you are on a tight budget then vinyl sheeting or peel and stick tiles are for
you. Vinyl is easy to install and is available in an endless array of colors and
patterns. One of the disadvantages to vinyl floors is that the edges can curl
and peel.
Linoleum flooring is making a comeback due to its green appeal. Consisting of
linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments,
this kitchen flooring is environmentally friendly. There are other green options
that are environmentally friendly but of course there are advantages and
disadvantages to each type of flooring. The key is to go with your own kitchen
flooring ideas and in the long run your floor will reflect your taste and fit
with your lifestyle.
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