No matter whether you’re cooking or simply hosting friends, flooring that can withstand spills and splashes are key for optimal outcomes. When making these considerations, factors like budget and style also come into play.
Wood floors are timeless classics, and some solid hardwoods may even be water resistant with proper care and treatment – but this often proves costly.
Hardwood
The ideal kitchen flooring combines beauty and durability. If your budget allows, natural wood flooring offers stunning beauty while withstanding spills and splashes from accidental spills and splashes. As an affordable alternative, engineered wood planks may be suitable – these planks consist of layers of real hardwood backed by layers of plywood to increase its resistance to changes in temperature and humidity levels – ideal for the kitchen environment.
Bamboo products provide an environmentally-friendly option in tile or laminate form. When selecting your bamboo species, opt for Moso Bamboo which is more sustainable. Laminates are relatively inexpensive yet soft underfoot. Moisture penetration resistance, scrapes and scratches resistance as well as being easily refinished are among their main selling points; however they don’t provide as much comfort as hardwood or cork floors do – consider adding a rug or runner as extra cushion to ensure proper posture when standing or pacing over hard floors for prolonged periods of time can make for comfortable standing or pacing.
Cork
Cork flooring is an eco-friendly flooring choice, harvested without damaging cork oak trees, and boasting natural durability. Additionally, it repels dirt, dander and dust mites more effectively than most other options on the market; furthermore its suberin content protects it against mold, mildew and other microorganisms that threaten indoor air quality.
Cork flooring provides a comfortable feel underfoot, making it a good option for kitchens and other environments where people spend long periods standing such as home offices. Cork’s soft yet firm texture helps relieve tension on your feet, ankles and back while also being relatively quiet – an important consideration when conversations or activities might disturb others in the room.
Cork can be sensitive to sudden shifts in humidity levels, so humidifiers may be needed in drier climates while dehumidifiers might be required in wetter or more muggy environments. Furthermore, it has less resistance to sun fading than other natural materials so window treatments should be used as necessary and furniture should be regularly relocated to block too much sunlight from reaching it.
Vinyl
Vinyl makes an excellent kitchen floor choice due to its waterproof properties. Stain resistant and easy maintenance make vinyl an attractive choice, while its many colors and styles, such as embossed versions that resemble ceramic tile and stone flooring are further drawcards. Furthermore, its resilience means it feels soft underfoot; which can ease fatigue if you spend long hours standing in the kitchen while forgiving more easily for dropped dishes than harder materials would.
Sheet vinyl flooring is an economical and DIY-friendly choice, featuring an assortment of colors and patterns in its range of colors and patterns. Installation is a simple matter. Meanwhile, vinyl composite tiles (LVTs) and planks offer more modern designs with wood or stone looks that fool even untrained eyes into thinking it is real flooring material.
Bamboo floor tiles or planks offer a natural designer aesthetic while being eco-friendly and less susceptible to denting from heavy appliances than hardwood flooring options.
Rubber
As its name implies, cork kitchen flooring provides an eco-friendly option that’s comfortable underfoot while attenuating shock and vibrations. Plus it boasts great slip resistance – making it a safe option in wet environments! Available as 12″ x 12″ tiles or 1′ x 3′ planks with appealing grain patterns and prefinished or sealed options to protect from scratches and stains, it also comes prefinished for ease of installation and can even be sealed to help protect against scratches or stains! Made from tree bark that grows back quickly as an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood floors!
Porcelain tile is composed of refined clay that’s fired at high temperatures in a kiln for improved durability and water resistance, offering an affordable option with virtually limitless styles, colors, and patterns to meet any design aesthetic.
Bamboo flooring is an economical, eco-friendly option that’s both affordable and long-term sustainable. Thick and durable, bamboo resists moisture damage well but you should clean up spills immediately to protect its aesthetic value. Bamboo also makes an excellent choice for those with allergies as it releases minimal chemicals into the air.