Kitchen happens to be the most used place of the house for many families, and is the focal point of many domestic activities. The design and layout of kitchen conveys your lifestyle and taste. As can be expected kitchen flooring attracts maximum number of footfalls, yet has to keep looking good. Whatever flooring you may choose, from the not so expensive vinyl to the most expensive marble, if it fails to bear the beating or fit your lifestyle, you better be prepared to change it earlier than your expectations.
Vinyl flooring is the most popular kitchen flooring. This may not be the best material but has no serious shortcomings too. It’s sturdy, very economical and resilient and has the added advantage of being available in many colors and patterns, which certainly make it look quite attractive. Unlike most of the other hard flooring materials it offers a nice cushy feel. Further, it’s available in tiles or in the form of sheets. However, it is reported that the self-adhesive variety doesn’t stay put for very long. Then you have to save it from getting soaked with water, which on entering its bottom could cause a lot of problems. The resilient nature of vinyl demands the surface to be totally flat. The floor should be leveled and prepared before fixing vinyl over it. Don’t make the mistake of putting a new floor over the old vinyl tiles because the underneath pattern will begin to show in a matter of time. Should you opt for vinyl flooring for your kitchen, make sure it is done the proper way; else you may regret it sooner than expected.
People often consider vinyl and linoleum to be one and the same thing because they both look alike after installation. Yet, vinyl comprises of all synthetic materials whereas linoleum comprises of all natural materials. Generally, linoleum would have a canvas or felt base on top of which applied an appropriately thick layer of linseed oil, cork and wood powder mixed in natural resins. Though vinyl flooring is more popular, the fact is that linoleum is definitely more durable than vinyl. A properly laid linoleum floor may last up to forty years, even in high traffic areas. People often tend to ignore linoleum as an old fashioned material without appreciating its durability and practicability.
A comparatively new material in the form of laminate flooring may be the best compromise for kitchen flooring. Though not as expensive, it has most of the features of vinyl and linoleum flooring. It’s durable, resilient and easy to maintain. Moreover, it can give the impression of costlier flooring like hardwood, ceramic or marble. It may not look beautiful like marble or real hardwood, yet it presents a good compromise, and for many people it remains a very versatile material.
Some would have only hardwood floor in the kitchen despite its shortcomings. It demands better maintenance, is slippery and offers poor resistance to scratches and stains but more expensive than other options of flooring for the kitchen. But, it finds favors for its eternal warmth and natural beauty.
If cost is not a consideration one can choose any of the natural stones like, marble, granite, travertine etc. Well, all stones are expensive but no other flooring material in kitchen would last for so long and yet continue to look so beautiful.