Kitchen Flooring: Pros and Cons

If you are planning on renewing or remodeling your kitchen flooring then this guide is for you! From concrete to cork, floors take a beating in your home. This is the most obvious in the kitchen which can be the central for family gatherings, daily traffic, spills, and drops. But you also want your kitchen to be stylish and all around looking great even if it is taking such beatings. So what flooring options are the best for you?

Ceramic Tile
About $3 to $8 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: Ceramic tile stands up to wear and tear like a champ and are surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. Plus there is a large variety of styles which means it can be styled to make any kitchen look great!

Cons: Tiles can crack once the floor settles. Tiles also pretty much guarantee dishes dropped on the floor will shatter. Often tiles become cold and a rug is used to offset discomfort. Tiles can also be slippery when wet. Grout needs periodic sealing and special cleaning to keep stains at bay.

Natural Stone
About $15 to $30 per square foot, uninstalled

Pros: Beautiful, classic look and plenty of durability and requires little day-to-day maintenance.

Cons: Expensive and not well suited for the do it yourself types. Porous stone will need protective sealing at regular intervals. And softer stones can scratch and chip.

Solid Wood
About $4 to $12 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: When it comes to wood flooring there’s a wood that will look just right in your kitchen and it will not go out of style! It can be sanded and refinished to keep it looking its best.

Cons: Spills will need to be cleaned up immediately. Wood dents and scratches easily, so it will need periodic refinishing.

Vinyl
About $1 to $5 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: One of the most inexpensive flooring options on the market. It’s very easy to clean, easy to patch if a spot gets damaged, and comfortable underfoot. Most of the time it can be installed without hiring a pro saving you even more money.

Cons: Vinyl can dent, bubble or curl over time. Sharp objects and debris could scratch or tear it.

Linoleum
About $4 to $7 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: Affordable, durable and easy to maintain. Often loved for it’s versatility and ability to create custom one of a kind designs.

Cons: Can wear and fade with time and use. Manufacturers add a protective coating before the material is sold but without this coating the floors may need periodic waxing and polishing. Can also be tricky to work with and you may need help from a pro to get your desired look.

Cork
About $2 to $12 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: Provides a great deal of comfort underfoot. Cork can even absorb the impact from falling dishes which can translate to less broken dishes if dropped. It holds warmth and absorbs sound, lending a cozy feel. Cork is also rich in suberin, a natural substance that guards against mold, mildew, rot and pests.

Cons: Cork holds up well but not without your help. You’ll need to stay on top of sweeping and vacuuming and you will also need to reseal it regularly with polyurethane or wax.

Concrete
Initial price varies, but finishing prices range from about $2 per square foot to $15 or more per square foot.

Pros: Stays cool even in the hottest weather. Virtually indestructible no matter what you may spill or drag on it.

Cons: Almost certainly need professional installation. It’s porous so sealing is a must to ward off stains.

Laminate
About $2 to $4 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: Very little maintenance, just sweep and damp-mop. Very good for a do it yourself material.

Cons: It may look like wood or tile from a distance, but it won’t substitute for the depth and texture of those flooring options. Laminate can’t be refinished if it starts showing its age it will have to be replaced completely.

Bamboo
About $4 to $9 per square foot, uninstalled.

Pros: Low maintenance, requiring no special care. Worldly style without the expense of a tropical or other exotic hardwood.

Cons: The range of color choices is narrower than with traditional woods. It can warp in high moisture areas.

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