If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen consider updating the flooring to create a clean and finished look. Whatever your style or budget, flooring can make or break a room. A new floor can be necessary if you plan to change the layout or remove walls and this step should be considered during any renovation. What better time to change the floor then when you’re already having work done?

This job may be a larger undertaking then one might expect. Older homes often have sagging floor joists or haphazard underlayment. Once your contractor removes the existing floor it often makes sense to replace or brace existing structural members. While installing new flooring can run as little as $5000, updating these other items can double that cost. Once the structure is ready, what material is the best option for your kitchen? Lets take a look at the most popular kitchen flooring options:

Wood floors are timeless and classic. We recommend hardwoods such as oak, maple, or cherry. Softer woods like pine and bamboo can dent from dropped items.

Pros: Wood floors are a softer surface which feels better on your back and knees. Softer floors are also safer for young children. Wood adds a warm look and feel which pairs great with painted cabinets. Wood can be repaired and refinished over time. With proper maintenance wood floors can last hundreds of years.

Cons: Be careful to avoid prolonged exposure to water. Leaks or uncleaned spills can destroy wood floors. Wood can cup and stain if exposed to water or high humidity from above or below. Wood is not a good choice to install over damp crawlspaces or radiant floor heating. Also, pets can scratch the wood finish.

Ceramic, porcelain and terra cotta tile are surprisingly similar. All are fired clay, usually with a glaze. Porcelain is high-fired and made from a special clay making it the strongest choice (but harder to work with). Terra Cotta is a clay known for its red orange color. All tiles are porous unless glazed. Glazing is like a baked on glass layer.

Pros: If you want your floors to look the same in ten years as they did on day one, then choose a glazed tile. The glaze is so strong that it cannot stain and you won’t need to reseal it. Ceramic tile can be budget friendly but thicker tiles that will hold up for eighty plus years are more costly. Modern tiles are available in large sizes with thinner grout lines and can be glazed to look like wood, stone, or concrete.

Cons: Tile is easier to damage and harder to fix than other options. Ceramic tile can crack or chip more easily than the other options listed. Ceramic is a different color under the glaze so chips are very noticeable. While the tile may be low maintenance, grout is susceptible to dirt and staining. It should be resealed yearly.

Natural stone tiles like slate, limestone, travertine, marble, and granite come in many sizes and colors. Most stones have beautiful patterns and textures.

Pros: Natural stone is not glazed and it is the same color throughout. So chips and scratches can happen but are less noticeable than ceramic. Granite, slate and travertine are denser and less porous than limestone and marble. Stone tile is stronger than ceramic and can last hundreds of years.

Cons: Even dense stones like granite and slate can stain. Stains and wear can look fine if you like a patina but if you want a cleaner, newer looking floor then plan to reseal every 1-2 years. Stone can not be sanded or refinished. If you scratch it badly, tiles will have to be replaced. Hard tiles like stone and cement are more likely to break dropped dishes.

Cement tiles are made by mixing color pigment with cement and creating a thick ‘wear’ layer, usually from a form. This layer is hydraulically pressed together with one or two more base layers to create a thick and heavy tile.

Pros: Because they have a thick top layer, nicks and chips are less visible. Cement tile is stronger and more durable than ceramic tile but looks and feels softer. Cement tile can last one hundred years.

Cons: Like natural stone, concrete is porous and will need to be sealed every 1-2 years to avoid stains. Concrete can not be sanded or refinished. It is weaker than stone. Hard tiles like cement, stone, and ceramic are harder on your knees, making a rug or mat necessary.

Laminate and Vinyl floors are available in wood looks that can fool even the most discerning eye. Laminate is typically installed like a wood floor while vinyl comes in strips, tiles, and large sheets.

Pros: Both vinyl and laminate are good alternatives to wood because they hold up against water, pets, and radiant heat better. Vinyl is plastic and can be used in wet bathrooms and basements. Laminate can hold up to more water and humidity than wood but will still get damaged by excessive water. Both options are budget friendly and easy to install.

Cons: Vinyl and laminate are not the most durable or beautiful materials. Don’t expect more than ten years out of either material. Neither material can be refinished.

Cork flooring is typically installed as an interlocking tile that is glued to the subfloor.

Pros: Cork has many similar qualities to wood but it actually performs better. Cork is softer than hardwood which is great for your knees and your kids. Cork is more water and moisture resistant than wood. Cork also provides greater noise and heat insulation than any other options.

Cons: Because it is softer cork is more susceptible to dents and dings then wood. Cork tiles can not be refinished so it’s lifespan is shorter than wood. Think ten to twenty years. Cork should be resealed every five years for durability and stain control.

The best choice for our environment.

At Airy Kitchens we always think about the environment and how our renovations will effect the future. There are many factors to consider including how materials are made, where they come from, how long they will last, and if they can be recycled. We recommend natural materials like wood, natural stone, and cork, which can all be recycled or will decompose. Choosing a local wood species or local stone can greatly reduce the environmental footprint of your kitchen remodel. Cement tiles are more eco friendly than ceramic because they are not fired in a kiln. However it can be hard to find these tiles made locally. Cork is actually harvested from trees so trees do not need to be killed to use it, but it too is grown overseas. In the end, we think durable floors are worth the cost. Building for longevity is the best way to care for the future.