When you’re remodeling a kitchen, there are many choices to make and one of these is flooring material. As flooring trends come and go something to keep in mind is that what’s popular is not always suitable for the project. For example, though you may have heard buzz from the design world about Reclaimed Barn Wood (or anything “reclaimed”), it’s more of a style choice and not the best for durability. With flooring, durability is most important. Bamboo wood flooring was once popular for a time but it’s now becoming a thing of the past because it is too soft to handle the kind of wear and tear a kitchen floor gets. For a kitchen floor, it’s best to stick with the classics.
Porcelain Tile is the undisputed King of durability and with Urethane-based grout, there is no need to seal it and it does not crack. Cool tile floors are great on a hot summer day. In the winter, the chill of cold tile floors can be solved by adding heated flooring units. The technology of heated flooring has come a long way in the last 20 years. The heated surfaces can be set with a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat you can control with an app on your phone.
For a smaller budget, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is a very practical choice. It’s durable and easy to maintain. It can be installed almost anywhere and is a popular choice for whole house replacements as well as open floorplan homes. But being practical doesn’t have to be boring. These vinyl options come in a wide variety of styles to get excited about. Over time you’ll appreciate that your kitchen flooring is nearly invincible so that even your kids and dogs can’t damage it.
Hardwood floors are another classic option to consider. They can be a bit more susceptible to wear and tear as well as water damage, but with the right care they will outlast the fashion trends. Though there are some decent options with prefinished hardwood, sand-in-place hardwood is still the best way to go because the planks are installed and sanded in your home. That way you have control over the color and finish.
If you love the look of hardwood floors but prefer a more affordable option with less maintenance, there is always vinyl. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is available in many colors and textures that look like the real thing.
If you have any questions about home remodeling call us at (360) 885-1995 or send us a email at info@designersnorthwest.com.