You can update your flooring to give your kitchen a finished, clean look if you're thinking of remodeling. Flooring can make or break a space, regardless of your taste or budget. If you plan to alter a room's layout or remove walls, a new floor may be required. This step should be taken into consideration during any renovation. When is the best time to replace the bottom if you are already undergoing work?
This task may prove to be more difficult than one would think. Many older homes have sagging floor joints or uneven underlayment. It is often a good idea to brace or replace existing structural members once the contractor has removed the old floor. Although new flooring may cost as low as $5000, replacing or bracing existing structural members can increase the cost. What material is best for your kitchen once the structure is in place? Let's take a look below at some of the most popular options for kitchen flooring:
Wood floors
Wood floors are classic and timeless. Hardwoods like cherry, maple, and oak are recommended. Dropped items can cause damage to soft woods such as pine or bamboo.
Pros:
Wood floors have a softer surface that feels more comfortable on your back and knees. For young children, more delicate floors are safer. Wooden cabinets look great when paired with wood floors. Wood can be refinished and repaired over time. Wood floors can last for hundreds of years if they are appropriately maintained.
Cons:
Avoid prolonged exposure to water. Wood floors can be damaged by water leakage or spillages that are not adequately cleaned. Wood floors can become stained or cupped if exposed to high humidity or water from above or below. Using wood for radiant floor heating or damp crawlspaces is not recommended. Pets can scratch the wood's finish.
Ceramic, Porcelain, and Terracotta tiles
Ceramic, Porcelain, and Terracotta tiles are all very similar. All three are made from fired clay and usually have a glaze. High-fired porcelain Tiles is made from a lump of special clay, making it more robust and difficult to work with. Terra Cotta clay is known for its orange-red color. All tiles are porous unless they have been glazed. Glazing acts like a baked-on glass layer.
Pros:
A glazed tile is a good choice if you want your floors to look as good in ten years. It is impervious to staining and can be sealed without needing to reseal. Ceramic tile is affordable, but more expensive tiles will last for at least eighty years. Modern tiles come in large sizes and have thinner grout lines. They can also be glazed to look like concrete, wood, or stone.
Cons:
Tile can be more difficult to repair than other options and is easier to damage. Ceramic tile can crack and chip faster than other options. Ceramic tile is very visible because it has a different glaze color. The grout can be stained and dirt easily, even though it is low maintenance. It should be sealed every year.
Natural stone tiles
Natural stone tiles such as slate, limestone, travertine, and marble come in many sizes. Many stones come in beautiful patterns and textures.
Pros:
Natural stone can be stained or glazed, but it will always remain the same color. While chips and scratches are possible, they are not as noticeable as ceramic. Granite, slate, and travertine have a higher density and are less porous than marble and limestone. Stone tile can last for hundreds of years and is stronger than ceramic.
Cons:
Stains can occur even on the dense stone like granite or slate. If you prefer a patina, stains and wear may look great. However, if you desire a cleaner floor with a more modern appearance, reseal every two years. Stone cannot be sanded, refinished, or repaired. Tiles that are damaged by scratching will need to be replaced.
Cement, Hard tiles
Cement, Hard tiles, such as stone or are more common to crack dropped dishes.Mixing cement with color pigment creates cement tiles. This layer is usually made from a form. This layer is hydraulically pressed together by one or two additional base layers to create thick, heavy tiles.
Pros:
They have a thicker top layer which makes nicks and chips less obvious. Although cement tile is more durable and stronger than ceramic tile, it feels and looks softer. Cement tile can be used for up to 100 years.
Cons:
Concrete is porous and must be sealed every two years to prevent staining. Concrete cannot be sanded, refinished, or repaired. Concrete is less durable than stone. It is more difficult than stone and cement tiles. This makes it necessary to have a mat or rug.
Vinyl and Laminate
Vinyl and laminate floors can be installed in wood-like looks that will fool even the most experienced eye. Vinyl comes in large sheets, tiles, or strips, and laminate is installed as a wood floor.
The pros:
Vinyl and laminate are better alternatives to wood than wood. They resist water, pets, and radiating heat better. Vinyl is a plastic material used in basements and wet bathrooms. While laminate can withstand more moisture and humidity than wood, it will still be damaged by excess water. Both are affordable and easy to put in.
Cons:
Vinyl and Laminate aren't the most beautiful or durable materials. Expect to get less than ten years from either laminate or vinyl. Both materials cannot be refinished.
Cork
Cork: Flooring is usually installed as interlocking tiles glued to the subfloor.
The pros:
Cork is similar to wood but performs better. Cork is more flexible than hardwood, which is good for your knees and your children's health. Cork is more resistant to water and moisture than wood. Cork is also more noise- and heat-insulating than other options.
Cons:
Cork tiles are more vulnerable to dents than wood because they are soft. Cork tiles cannot be refinished, so their lifespan is shorter than wood. It can last between ten and twenty years. The cork should be sealed every five years for durability and stain control.
It is the best option for our environment.
The best choice for our environment.
Airy Kitchens is conscious of the environment and our renovations' impact on the future. It is important to consider how materials are made, their origin, durability, and recycling. Natural materials such as wood, cork, and natural stone can all be recycled or will decompose. Local wood species and stones can help reduce the impact of your kitchen remodel. Because they are not fired in the kiln, cement tiles are much more Eco-friendly than ceramic. These tiles can be challenging to find locally. Cork is harvested from trees, so it doesn't need to be killed to use it. However, it is also grown overseas. Durable floors are worth the investment. The best way to ensure the longevity of your feet is to plan for the future.
