How to Choose the Best Flooring for Your Kitchen
Learn about the top four kitchen flooring materials and their durability.
Design: Clean Design Partners
From hot water spills to pets and kids running around, kitchen floors tolerate a lot of wear and tear. This is why it’s important to make sure the flooring you choose will withstand everyday life in your household. From water leaks to sharp objects, find out about the durability of the most popular kitchen flooring types below.
Design: Clean Design Partners
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is a timeless favourite that comes in various options. From dark tones to reclaimed wood—there is an option for everyone. Finished hardwood flooring is durable and will withstand water spills and pets. Ultimately they can last a lifetime when properly maintained. As hardwood floors start to age, they are easily revived by sanding and fresh finish.
Watch out for spills or plumbing leaks; if not cleaned up right away, wood will absorb liquids and cause stains. In more serious cases, plumbing leaks can cause the wood to expand, and if it goes unnoticed, the wood can rot.
Types of Hardwood Flooring
Solid WoodMade up of one piece of wood milled from lumber.
Engineered Hardwood Cheaper than solid wood. Consists of three to ten layers of wood called plies that are glued together in a cross-ply construction for added stability.
Design: Mary Patton Design
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is one of the most durable, long lasting kitchen floor options out there. These tiles are made of clay, and can come in all shapes and sizes. Once shaped, they are dried and then fired in a kiln. Usually they are glazed, but can also be seen unglazed. The perks of glazed tile are that it resists stains and can be cleaned with all common household cleaners, making it pet- and spill-friendly. Ceramic tile is also fire- and water-resistant.
As the most durable option, ceramic comes with a few downsides. The tile is cold and hard, making walking on it with bare feet uncomfortable. Because of its density, accidentally dropped glasses are a goner. Also, moisture or spills can create a slippery surface.
Shop the Look
Design: Clean Design Partners
Vinyl
Vinyl is an affordable synthetic plastic that can be manufactured into any pattern or colour. Because of this, vinyl flooring has been a popular choice in kitchens and homes for decades. With time, vinyl flooring has become more durable, and easy to maintain. This flooring is highly resistant to spills, mould, mildew, and moisture—making it ideal for kitchens. Vinyl flooring comes equipped with a built-in cushion underlayment for a warmer and softer touch in comparison to ceramic tile. The material itself is affordable, plus you can usually install the vinyl flooring yourself without the expense of hiring a professional.
Over time vinyl can sometimes dent, bubble, or curl. Sharp objects may tear it, or scratch its surface. Although vinyl is considered spill- and pet-proof, the more wear it encounters the shorter lifespan it will have. Thicker vinyls will last longer.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl Planks
Emulates natural hardwood planks and comes in a variety of colours, widths, and styles.
Vinyl Tiles
Mimics the look of stone, slate, marble, porcelain, and metal. Choose inlaid tile to avoid visibility of scratches and nicks
Design: Clean Design Partners
Laminate
Laminate flooring imitates hardwood, tile, slate, and pretty much anything at a relatively inexpensive cost. The flooring is made up of five layers. A bottom layer of underlayment, which softens impact and reduces noise. A layer of melamine resin, which is moisture-resistant. A high-density fiberboard layer that offers impact-resistance, stability, and durability. On top there’s a high-definition image of the style the flooring is emulating; this is why laminate flooring comes in various options. For instance, the laminate hardwood flooring you see is actually a detailed image of hardwood. Sealing it all together is the top transparent protective layer, making this flooring durable and easy to maintain.
Although laminate flooring offers the look of hardwood flooring, the truth is it is not an exact replica. One of the downfalls to this flooring is that you cannot refinish it once it starts to show age. Much like vinyl, the more wear the flooring encounters, the shorter the lifespan will be.
Different Laminate Surface Types
Embossed
A manufacturing process that intensifies the depth, texture, and realistic look of the floor by aligning the embossing with the printed design.
Hand-Scraped
A design term that describes an aged, time-worn or hand-sculpted look.
Smooth
A finish that is flat and even, no variations in the surface.
Textured
A rough surface finish.
