When it comes to designing your new home, picking out the best flooring for the kitchen is vital since that’s usually the most hardworking floor in each house. Therefore, it needs to withstand regular foot traffic, staining, food and water spills, lots of cleaning, and temperature fluctuations. Besides functionality and durability, you’ll want your kitchen floor to be pretty too, so consider some of the current kitchen trends. Luckily, you will be able to choose beautiful patterns and finishes regardless of the material. The following guide can help you in choosing the best flooring option for your new kitchen.
Kitchen floor tiles are what we see in the majority of contemporary homes, where cabinetry is sleek and modern. They gain popularity because of their durability and a range of visual effects. Not to mention that they are definitely the easiest option to clean. They come in a variety of natural and artificial materials and finishes.
You can consider tiling trends all over the globe and choose what you like the most - textured, matt, or high shine kitchen tiles. However, some tiles are more porous than others. That’s something you should consider carefully because the kitchen is usually a room with high moisture levels. For example, if you decided to buy terracotta tiles, which are porous, at least ensure they are well sealed and resealed regularly.
Real stone has plenty of character, while artificial materials have less so. However, manmade materials are generally more affordable. They can be made to mimic other materials convincingly, but some natural stone tiles also come with flaws. For example, limestone tends to scratch, while travertine is very porous.
If you want natural stone, you should opt for slate or granite tiles as the best flooring option for your new kitchen.
For those who prefer artificial materials, porcelain or ceramic tiles are proven to be a great flooring option for kitchens and underfloor heating. Porcelain tiles are even more durable and less porous than ceramic tiles, but you won’t make a mistake with either of them.
If you want a small space to feel and look bigger, here are some tricks for tiles in your new kitchen:
You can try to fit the floor tiles by yourself unless your tiles are particularly heavy and expensive. However, some materials are very tricky to cut, such as the majority of natural stones. In that case, you should leave that job to professionals, since there is a lot of preparation work included and it requires previous experience with such projects.
When it comes to cleaning your tiled kitchen floor, natural stone requires only warm water. For ceramic and porcelain, use water mixed with mild detergent.
Laminate flooring is widely used for kitchens as a cost-effective option. Even though many prefer tile and wood flooring, they may have to choose laminate simply because of its price. However, there are some higher-quality and pricier options available on the market as well.
Laminate is usually stain- and scratch-resistant. It may be a good option for busy kitchens. Nevertheless, steamy conditions in the kitchen are a setback for choosing laminate.
You may find higher-end laminate, which has a very convincing wood or tile effect, even with bevelled edges and stone looks. Avoid the cheapest laminate since it tends to stain, warp, peel, and be overly shiny.
Laminate flooring is also easy to damage by heavy kitchen appliances, so you may need to use an underlay. Even though the crews from Four Winds Saudi Arabia can make your relocation easier, carefully consider whether the laminate is the best option for your new kitchen (or any other room), since not only heavy appliances but also heavy and bulky furniture may damage it during the unpacking process.
When it comes to fitting laminate flooring, it’s usually possible to lay it yourself, as they tend to have an easy-to-fit locking system.
For cleaning of laminate floor, you can use a damp cloth. Yet, avoid using a soaking wet mop since the water can quickly get under the laminate flooring and ruin it.
Wood flooring can bring warmth and texture to a kitchen. We mostly see it in period houses. If you plan to stand for long periods in your kitchen, wood is a good choice for reducing leg fatigue. It’s also an excellent option for open floor plans and those who want flooring that extends beyond the kitchen. However, since kitchens are exposed to a lot of moisture, if you choose to have wood flooring, you need to think carefully about what you’ll buy.
Engineered wood flooring may be a good choice for a kitchen. Since it has a durable top layer, it’s much more resistant to warping and movement than solid wood. Solid wood flooring is usually expensive, and it’s not a good choice for the kitchen since it can warp when exposed to water.
Lighter wood colours can create a more spacious feel in your kitchen. However, they will show dirt more quickly. Dark wood flooring hides marks more effectively than light wood. Wider boards look more modern than narrower ones.
Professional fitting of wood flooring is recommended for a perfect finish.
You can clean the wood flooring with a damp mop, but be sure to avoid saturating the surface with water.
Moving to your new home demands special preparation, and appliances are very difficult to ship. Depending on where your new home will be, carefully consider the prices and procedures of shipping. Then, compare them to buying the new appliances. Whether you decide to keep the devices you already have or purchase new ones, plan to match them with flooring in terms of colour and overall style.
Choosing the best flooring option for your new kitchen is challenging because it has to be durable, practical, and easy to clean. Besides that, aesthetics matters, and kitchen flooring is a significant design statement as well. Even though kitchen floor tiling proved to be the leader in all these categories, some may still prefer the warmth of wood or the lower price of laminate. Whatever your choice is, be sure it suits your lifestyle, meets your needs, and complements your kitchen's overall style.
