Best Kitchen Flooring Options
Gone are the days when the only options for your kitchen flooring were tiles or lino. There are so many different options on the market, all of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. It’s probably safe to say that carpet is probably not the best choice for the modern home, but what else is there to consider?
Vinyl Kitchen Flooring
Vinyl is the modern alternative to the traditional linoleum. There are lots of great reasons to consider a vinyl floor in your kitchen. Vinyl comes in a huge range of colours and designs, and is cost-effective to buy and have fitted. Modern vinyl flooring is warm underfoot and can be bought as either tiles or on a large roll. It’s often hard to judge the “feel” of vinyl products online, so this is one type of flooring which is definitely best bought from a traditional retailer. Or at the very least, order samples before committing to the final purchase.
Tiles
Tiles are hardwearing and extremely durable, but have the downside of feeling cold underfoot. If however you’re lucky enough to have underfloor heating, this might not be an issue. Tiles are available in a wide range of finishes and shapes and sizes, so you can really get creative with design should you wish to express your creativity. Tiling on the floor isn’t tricky and is probably a job any enthusiastic DIYer can take on. If you’re paying a tiler to do the job, always get a range of quotes first.
Concrete Flooring
If you’re going for a very modern look, then concrete flooring could be the answer. It’s about as hardwearing as floors get, and very easy to keep clean. Once polished, concrete takes on a subtle sheen. This is a very industrial look though, and it’s not one suitable for every home. Concrete also only comes in one colour – grey – but there may also be the option for painting it should you want another colour to provide a brighter finish. This isn’t a job you can do yourself. Get the professionals in to lay the concrete and get it even.
Bamboo Flooring
One of the newer flooring products on the market is bamboo. Bamboo flooring has been designed to be water resistant and durable, and as it is a natural product, gives a warmer feel to your kitchen than tiles or slate. Bamboo is also an environmentally friendly choice. It’s a quick-growing plant which can be harvested much more quickly than other types of timber, and which doesn’t rely on plastics for its production. Other types of wooden flooring may also be suitable for the kitchen, but seek specialist advice as you’ll need wood or laminate which is water-resistant.
Rubber
Homeowners looking for something really different in the kitchen should consider rubber flooring in the kitchen too. Rubber flooring is by nature non-slip and easy to clean, making it ideal for homes with small children. It’s not a budget choice at upwards of £50 per square metre, but rubber also offers warmth and ticks the eco-friendly boxes.
