Welcome to our gallery of the best types of kitchen flooring where we discuss popular options such as tile, wood, linoleum, vinyl and concrete.
Kitchens are a popular space for gathering and eating. The kitchen will get a lot of foot traffic seeing as it is a room everyone in the family will visit at least once a day if not many times throughout the day. This means that the flooring chosen is extremely important not only visually and textually, but also from a sustainability and durability standpoint.
Kitchen Flooring Options
Note that there is not a “best flooring” each material will have pros and cons. Some of the different options as well as their pros and cons are as follows.
Tile Flooring
While you thought you were narrowing down the options when you chose to go with tile, there are still numerous choices of tiles to be selected from. As one of the more sought-after products for kitchen flooring, they made it so it can fit in with pretty much any design and style. Some of the option of tiles are below, but keep in mind if you are looking for something in particular, there are MANY MANY more!
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are one of the most commonly used when it comes to types of kitchen floors. Mentioned previously one of the key things we were looking for was durability, and this is where ceramic tiles really shine!
Ceramic is usually chosen for its good looks and if that is ruined by a large chip or crack, lucky us it will be any easy fix. With ceramic tiles you will only need to replace the broken tile, instead of redoing the entire floor.
Another thing previously mentioned was that there is often water and moisture in the kitchen. There is an option for glazing on the ceramic tiles which will offer a great deal of resistance to the moisture the tiles will experience in the kitchen setting.
While the list of pros are massive and extremely important in this particular use, there are a few cons when it comes to ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are hard and heavy. This is expected with the durability it had but will mean that they are not extremely comfortable to stand on for long periods of times. This can be combated with soft mats meant to put less stress on the body while standing on hard surfaces.
As for the weight, this is only really a problem if the kitchen is not on the lower story. In most cases this is not the case, so should not cause concern unless you have an upper story kitchen, and in that case you must make sure the structure can support that sort of weight.
Porcelain Tile Flooring
Porcelain tiles take the durability factor and own it. These tiles are so durable that they are commonly used in commercial settings, meaning for your home there will be no worries. Not only is that a huge pro, but there is a Porcelain Tile Certification Agency that will make sure that all the porcelain tiles have a .5% absorption rate.
All of these attributes can make for an exceedingly long life of the product. Typically if you want a floor to last decades you will have to put a lot of maintenance into it over time, but porcelain really only needs some sweeping and light mopping on occasion.
Unfortunately every good thing has a downside. Similar to ceramic Porcelain will be extremely heavy. This again means that it is not recommended for upper story applications and is commonly not able to be done without professional installation. Porcelain will be more expensive than ceramic tiles, and due to the weight the installation will cost quite a bit as well.
Some tiles are Natural Stone which will make them extremely unique as well as typically environmentally friendly. Some of the more popular options are as follows:
Travertine
Travertine has recently become one of the more popular types of kitchen flooring. This is due to the natural elements that give a rustic and subtle vibe, not overwhelming the space and being earthy tones that are easy to pair. Travertine is a limestone material that will most typically come in beige, browns, tans, and other natural colors.
To properly take care of travertine flooring it will need to be sealed regularly to avoid any moisture getting into the flooring, especially in a setting like the kitchen where spills and drips are prevalent. Travertine will be used in its natural stone form which will mean it is completely recyclable and biodegradable, making it extremely eco friendly.
Granite
Granite flooring is a luxurious material that will give a grand look to a kitchen. The sophistication levels of this material are through the roof and there are so many options when involving granite.
All good things must come to an end though, the downsides to granite are they expensiveness of the flooring and the slipperiness, especially when polished. Things like rugs and applying less polish can help combat those troubles.
Marble
Slate
The price really matches the quality of the product though; slate is resistant to staining and water damage, which is extremely important in a kitchen. Not only that but it also is highly durable and does not often chip, scratch or crack.
If slate is taken care of it is another material that could potentially last a lifetime. When considering any natural stone flooring in a home it is always good to think about the installation process, and in the cases of natural stone, it is one left to the professionals due to the weight and intricate placings. Again note that while tiles are very good choices for flooring, it may or may not be the right choice for you and your space.
Wood Flooring
Some of the options are below but know that in each category each has their own line of colors and patterns to select from. Wood flooring is sensitive to wet environments such as those found in the kitchen and may need immediate attention with any spills or messes. You can read more about the pros and cons of hardwood flooring in the kitchen here.
Hardwood Flooring
A classic, timeless addition to any room, hardwood will be an ever present feature in homes. There are a large variety of types of hardwood species (which will reflect in the color, knotting and textures of the wood) to choose from.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered Hardwood Flooring has many pros including its rising popularity. Durability is one of the key elements needed in a kitchen flooring and Engineered Hardwood Flooring will out the money where its mouth is. Not only will it be able to take the constant traffic but it will also be able to withstand the spills that will inevitably find you in some way, shape, or form.
The cons, however, are ever present. Due to the great durability and resistances created in the product, it is on the higher end when it comes to pricing, but you get what you paid for. In some circumstances the flooring will become damage, and it is a touch process to replace a singular plank versus the entire flooring. Additionally, as a man made product it does contain resins and adhesives that are less than great for the environment.
Bamboo Flooring
Though bamboo is most typically place in the category of ‘wood flooring’ it is actually not even wood at all, it is a grass that is pressed and processed to get the flooring you see today, that highly resembles the look of hardwood flooring. The process of creating the bamboo flooring will give it a striped look, often showing ‘knuckles’ where the ends meet, this gives the character, often as with regular wood they have knots.
This will mean not only does that material need to be shipped across that world, but also the procedure that’s may go on are not as regulated. To combat that fear, looking for companies that are certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council will ensure safe manufacturing methods.
Bamboo has a lot of good qualities, it is extremely durable, has a contemporary look, is easy to clean and can be refinished. Unfortunately with all the pros there are cons. Good bamboo flooring is high in cost, for this you will pay for the quality. If it is inexpensive make sure the manufacturer is reputable and that it meets all your needs, otherwise spending the extra dollars will be worth it in the long run. Another thing to note is that bamboo is susceptible to water and humidity damage, in a kitchen this is an important factor.
Again note that while wood planks are very good choices for flooring, it may or may not be the right choice for you and your kitchen space. There are still other options besides tile and wood.
Other Types of Kitchen Flooring
While trying to put everything into categories sometimes there are outliers that are still important to mention. If wood or tiles are not the look or feel for you there are massive amounts of other flooring you can choose from.
Sometimes picking outside the box will lead to a unique and inspiring floor finish that will soon become the next biggest thing. Some (but not nearly all) of the other types of flooring that are popular or commonly used are as follow.
Linoleum
Linoleum is a good choice of flooring when keeping the environment in mind. This material is made without and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound), and it is made from renewable resources. Not only is this an eco friendly flooring, but it also had a good durability, withstanding a good amount of foot traffic.
In addition to its array of colors and patterns it van also come in different forms such as sheets, tiles or squares. This can make for some interesting and inspired designs without too much restriction. While this will be a moisture resistant material, it will have the ability to be stained and potentially scratched. This can be combated with protective coatings.
Linoleum can be a very inexpensive flooring option for the price conscious. You can see more ideas for kitchen floors on a budget here.
Vinyl Flooring
While vinyl flooring is category in itself, we will focus on luxury vinyl and resilient vinyl since those are the most common used. Vinyl is extremely cost effective, but that does mean that it does not add a grand value to the home (Once again you get what you pay for). For being as cost effective as it is it has almost limitless options!
Vinyl is extremely water resistant, and in some cases water proof. In addition, vinyl is extremely durable, if maintained properly it could last up to 20 years, and to maintain it there is not too much effort required.
One of the biggest downside to vinyl flooring will be that it is not eco friendly, in fact it contains PVC and lets off volatile organic compounds, which if there is a fire, will release extremely toxic chemicals. Currently, manufacturers are working on finding a solution to this problem, and some (more expensive options) offer PVC free vinyl which a lot of commercial places will use.
Cork Flooring
When looking for a beautiful, unique flooring that is easy for cleaning, cork is a great choice. Cork is one of the most eco friendly and sustainable flooring out there. In contrast to most some of the tile flooring, cork is extremely soft to stand and walk on.
A careful consideration for cork floors are that they are best in an area without too much sunlight, which unfortunately is not typically the kitchen, this is because getting too much sun will cause the cork flooring to become discolored, typically unevenly.
Concrete Flooring
Cement and concrete are often confused. Cement is actually an ingredient of concrete which is why in this case we will have a concrete flooring. In some cases you will have a straight concrete floor, other times (more expensively I might add) you can try concrete tiles.
Unfortunately though concrete flooring will be hard on people walking on it too much, if used in a kitchen it is recommended to get a cushioned mat for heavily stood in areas such as the sink to take some wear of the feet and legs. Cracks will happen with concrete flooring because it is a large stab of material and will need to expand and contract with the changes in environment.
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is an affordable flooring, this will mean that it is not the most beautiful, but it will fit in almost any budget and has some winning characteristics. Luckily enough epoxy flooring is quite resistant to pretty much anything you can think of: bleach, gas, cleaners, oils, chemicals, germs, and bacteria. This is why this type of flooring is used in places like garages and hospitals.
Epoxy will last for decades if properly installed and cared for. Unfortunately epoxy flooring is typically a temporary solution; cracks, chipping and everyday use will make the flooring need another coat of the epoxy.
Also the process of applying the epoxy is not pleasant; the install will create strong fumes, require a lot of tedious preparation, must be done exactly right, and is even worse to remove if there are ever design changes. This will mean that you will need professional installation at the beginning and removal after it is time to make a change. This type of flooring will not make much of an impact to the resale value of the home!
Best Kitchen Flooring
The best kitchen flooring will be different for every project in every home. Based on the budgets, needs, times constraints, beliefs, and styles, one of the mentioned flooring will be the best for you! All the ones listed are high contenders and will be great for use in the kitchen area, but make sure to check the cons listed and any ways that you can work with those to make for the perfect flooring.
Tile flooring is the most popular and one of the best flooring options for kitchens. Not to say it is the best, but it holds up extremely well in the kitchen setting while giving the grand, inviting look that most people are looking for in their kitchen.
Kitchens are often one of the most redone rooms, and they tend to have the most money spent on them, because it is the place you want to show off, the place where everyone gathers. This being said, though tile flooring is on the more expensive side of things, it really does pay off on the long run and is one of the best types of kitchen flooring overall.
Best Place to Buy Kitchen Flooring Online
Now that it has been decided (or at least narrowed down) the types of kitchen flooring you are looking for, the next step will be where to get it! When you google ‘where to buy flooring’ you will most likely come up with a million ads.
The best place to start will be large home improvement stores, preferably one that you have nearby your home. This will allow you to stop in and find color samples, or even pick up the supplies to save money on shipping.
Lowes, The Home Depot, Menards, etc.. Are all good places to begin. If you can not find what you are looking for there then other suggested web stores which tend to be a little more specialized would be Lumber Liquidators or Floor & Décor.
Obviously Lumber Liquidators will sell primarily wood products, and Floor & Décor will focus on flooring. Amazon or Wayfair are also online retailers that can offer plenty of competitive prices and sales.
For more ideas visit our other galleries of kitchen designs.