The kitchen can be a challenging area to provide flooring for. On one hand, the kitchen flooring must remain flexible enough to support the legs and back. On the other hand, however, the flooring must be resistant to stains and a high level of foot traffic. The best flooring looks great for years without a lot of maintenance. Spills and accidents will inevitably happen on a fairly frequent basis, putting a strain on any flooring that is installed in the kitchen area. To prevent serious upkeep issues and future expenses, it pays to do the research necessary to find the best flooring.
Wood flooring has traditionally been seen in kitchen flooring, but it has a tendency to suffer under harsh kitchen conditions. Wood aborbs moisture, causing it to warp and crack over time. When a wood floor absorbs too much moisture it can end up crowning or cupping, producing an unsightly and uneven surface. The only way to fix this problem is to sand it down, or to rip out the entire floor and start over. Neither of these are very attractive options, and involve many hours as well as thousands of dollars. While a properly finished and maintained wood floor may resist these problems, wood flooring is certainly more prone to suffer from them.
More reliable options include slate and ceramic tile. Tile and slate do not suffer from water exposure, and do not suffer from warping or cracking. As fairly tough materials, they experience little expansion or contraction.
Slate and ceramic flooring are available in a broad range of colors and shades. Slate and ceramic flooring are also very slip resistant, making them a safer surface to use in the kitchen as well. Hardwood flooring can become slick, especially if it has been exposed to moisture. When using slate as a kitchen surface, be sure to go with a low gloss or finish for extra slip protection.
Laminate flooring is also another viable option in the kitchen. To achieve that hardwood look without all the associated upkeep problems, laminate flooring can be a great option. Laminate flooring is easy to install, affordable, and very resistant to both water damage and stains.
Laminate flooring is also engineered to work under heavy loads and traffic. The kitchen is a high stress area for flooring, and should be treated as such. Choosing the right kind of flooring will give homeowners lasting durability, with low maintenance requirements.
