From foot traffic, to scraping chairs, to frequent spills, your kitchen experiences its fair share of attention. That’s why it’s important to choose the best kitchen flooring option that’s durable and will stand the test of time—even when faced with children, pets, and all the other things that can quickly lead to scuffs and damage.
But before we dive into all the options, let’s first take a quick look at one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your kitchen flooring.
What’s your design preference?
Your kitchen is the focal point of your home’s design. After all, how many times have you heard the saying: ‘your kitchen is the heart of your home?’ So it’s important to choose an option that reflects and compliments your preferred design.
For instance, if your home leans towards rustic, having an ultra-chic and modern tile probably won’t be the right fit. However, an engineered hardwood will likely compliment the more natural design of your home.
So, take a few seconds to think about the current (or preferred design) of your home. That way, when you’re browsing through this list, you’ll find something that perfectly matches your style!
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring has long been praised for its affordability and durability. Less expensive than natural hardwood (and without the long list of care necessities), laminate is one of the best kitchen flooring choices.
With its range of colours and styles, you can also match laminate to your current home design standards.
But what is laminate really made of, and what makes it more durable?
Laminate is composed of synthetic materials that are designed to mimic the natural appearance of hardwood. With an inner board at its base, an image is placed atop and covered with a protective layer.
The result: Laminate offers an affordable price tag with an incredibly realistic appearance of wood.
The downside: You won’t get the natural variations you find in hardwood. In addition, laminate, although durable, is not waterproof. So if there’s a mess in your kitchen, you’ll have to clean it up quickly to prevent the boards from warping.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile for Kitchens
Incredibly durable and waterproof, tile is one of the most preferred and best kitchen flooring options. Like laminate, it comes in a wide variety of colours and surface styles. And because it’s waterproof, it’s a great choice for busy families—especially if you have pets (or children) that love to bring the outdoors inside!
Let’s take a quick look at the difference between ceramic and porcelain tiles:
Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tiles are manufactured using clay materials. They are formed, fired, and stained different colours. Afterwards, they are glazed with a protective finish or coating. Typically, ceramic tiles are fired at a lower temperature than porcelain.
Porcelain Tiles
Porcelain tiles are also manufactured using clay. However, it’s composed of 50% feldspar, a white sand that contributes to its more classical appearance. Like ceramic, it’s also coated with a protective coating.
The result: Tile gives you an easy-to-clean, incredibly durable flooring with a long lifespan. It’s the perfect option for the space in your home that arguably receives the most spills.
The downside: Tile is often hard and cold. That’s why many homeowners prefer laminate, because it’s a softer, more comfortable option on the feet. However, by installing in-floor heating, you can easily combat this downside. Want to know more about in-floor heating? Check out this past post!
Both ceramic and porcelain tile are an ideal choice for your kitchen. And we have a selection of quality tile in a highly versatile colour and style range. We also offer installation services from our team of highly skilled and experienced tradesmen. View our tile collection here.
Engineered Hardwood for Kitchens
There are two types of hardwood: solid and engineered. Solid hardwood is wooden planks stained in certain colours. Engineered hardwood has a very close appearance to solid hardwood, but it’s actually several pieces of wood planks laminated together with a hardwood veneer at the very top. And just to clarify, unlike laminate, engineered hardwood is made of real wood.
Because of its layers, engineered hardwood is typically stronger than its counterpart. In addition, it’s less likely to expand and contract with weather fluctuations (which if you call Alberta home, is an almost daily occurrence).
The result: If you opt for engineered hardwood for your kitchen, you can achieve natural, luxurious elegance. It’s also comfortable to walk on and is quite durable.
The downside: Unlike solid hardwood, most engineered hardwood can’t be sanded and restained. Also, it’s generally more expensive than tile and laminate and far less water resistant. Because hardwood is made of natural materials, it requires more maintenance and upkeep.
At Lidia Contract Flooring, we have an assortment of hardwood and engineered hardwood options ranging in different styles and colours. Check out Edmonton hardwood flooring only at LFC Flooring.
Luxury Vinyl for Kitchens
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that has the appearance of luxury, then vinyl flooring might be your go-to choice. Its durability, scratch resistance, and waterproof properties makes it one of the best kitchen flooring options.
Like laminate, it’s composed of synthetic materials. Typically, it possesses three layers: the bottom cushioning layer, a central layer with high density, and a top vinyl layer. It also has a similar thickness to hardwood, making the similar appearance even more convincing!
The result: a comfortable, durable, and easy-to-clean floor that is very resistant to water damage.
The downside: Generally speaking, there are no downsides to vinyl as a kitchen floor. Its affordability and ease of installation make it one of the most preferred kitchen flooring options for homeowners.
Our collection of luxury vinyl flooring is made with quality in mind! Visit our showroom to view our wide selection of vinyl. In addition, we offer financing options, so you can have your new kitchen floor without having to pay the whole cost upfront!
Natural Stone Tile
Because natural stone flooring is 100% stone, it does fall on the more expensive side. However, it can add a stunning, luxurious appearance to any home!
Also with its durability and resistance to fading, natural stone is also one of the best kitchen flooring options. It’s low maintenance and easy-to-clean surface makes it the perfect choice for any space that receives spills and heavy foot traffic.
The result: a beautiful, water-resistant flooring option for your kitchen.
The downside: natural stone tile can be on the pricier side.
LCF has one of the best collections of natural stone tile in Edmonton.
Final Thoughts
There is no shortage of flooring options. How many times have you stepped into a showroom and felt one thing: overwhelm?
By following the information in this post, you can visit a showroom knowing precisely which flooring options will work best for your lifestyle, budget, and home. And you’ll know which are the best kitchen flooring options for your next remodel!
Are you interested in learning more about the quality flooring available at Lidia Contract Flooring? Contact us today or visit our showroom to speak to an expert! We’ll arrange a consultation, where we’ll discuss in greater detail the best flooring for your kitchen and home.
