With all the different activities that take place in your kitchen, the flooring in this area goes through a lot. On a regular basis, it endures heavy foot traffic, accidental spills and splatters and dropped plates and silverware.
As you prepare to remodel your New Jersey home, it’s important to pick a kitchen flooring material that can withstand the daily wear and tear while also reflecting your personal tastes and the design style you’ve chosen for the space.
What Is the Best Flooring for a Kitchen?
There are numerous options available for kitchen flooring in terms of materials, textures and colors. Selecting the right type of floor for your kitchen remodel in New Jersey depends on how you want the space to look and function. In general, you’ll want to evaluate each option based on these attributes:
- Durability
- Water- and stain-resistance
- Comfort
- Ease of maintenance
- Visual appeal
- Cost
However, depending on your particular lifestyle needs and daily habits, you may prioritize certain attributes over others. For example, if you have a large family with younger kids, your high priorities are likely to be durability, easy maintenance and a non-slip surface for safety. If you enjoy hosting elegant soirees and have time to cultivate a luxury environment, you can more strongly emphasize appearance and how the flooring material fits into your design.
Here is a look at some of the most popular flooring options for your kitchen remodel in New Jersey and how they compare on cost, quality and other desirable attributes:
1. Vinyl Flooring for Kitchens
To begin with, there are two different types of vinyl flooring for kitchens: sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl (LVT). Sheet vinyl, which has been on the market for decades, ranks high for being water-resistant, comfortable underfoot and budget-friendly. As there are no seams between tiles or planks, liquid can’t seep down into the subflooring, which gives you wall-to-wall waterproof floor protection. One downside is that your heavy kitchen appliances can cause the floor beneath their legs to depress. When installing sheet vinyl, you also have to be careful that it is cut to fit the exact dimensions of your kitchen and laid carefully to prevent air bubbles.
LVT is newer to the market but has quickly gained traction as one of the best kitchen flooring options available. Like sheet vinyl, it is waterproof and comfortable. In terms of appearance, LVT is easier on the eyes, as the planks are made to replicate luxurious hardwood or stone. As a result, LVT is a bigger investment than sheet vinyl but it elevates the overall design aesthetic of your kitchen.
2. Porcelain and Ceramic Tile
Porcelain and ceramic tiles have also been used in kitchens for a long time, and for good reason. These materials are extremely strong and durable, with porcelain edging out ceramic slightly because of its density. That means your glasses and plates might break if dropped on your porcelain tile, but the floor itself will hold up well over time. Porcelain and ceramic are easy to clean. However, you need to reseal the grout between the tiles every few years to reduce the risk of stains.
Finally, both porcelain and ceramic tiles are available in a wide range of beautiful colors and styles, so it’s easy to find a match for your kitchen aesthetic. You can select a complementary tile for your kitchen backsplash.
3. Stone Tile
For an upscale kitchen remodel in New Jersey, stone tile is a worthwhile contender. No two stone tiles look identical, which gives your kitchen floor a unique, sophisticated look. You can choose between travertine, marble, slate and granite—each of which are lovely in their own way. Slate is one of the top choices for your kitchen space because it is extremely durable and slip-resistant.
Natural stone is versatile; it can be cut into small squares to create a mosaic look or in standard 18-inch squares. No matter which type of stone tiling you choose, it will require regular sealing to prevent stains. On a day-to-day basis, however, you can clean your stone flooring with soapy water.
4. Cork Flooring
Relatively new to the market, cork is poised to become one of the kitchen flooring trends of 2021. It is budget- and eco-friendly, and it provides a soft, springy cushion underfoot when you’re working in your kitchen. Plus, cork flooring is easy to install.
In general, cork is available in varying shades of brown, tan and gray, which means it may not be the best choice style-wise for every kitchen. While cork can collect stains and spots, the material is fairly simple to refinish by sanding down the damaged area and applying a fresh coat of stain and sealer. Another downside to cork is that it fades if exposed to direct sunlight.
5. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring has a classic, timeless appeal that complements a variety of design styles, from rustic and farmhouse to modern and transitional. Based on the type of wood used for the planks, they can incorporate various shades that range from light to dark. Hardwood tends to be more comfortable underfoot than stone or porcelain tile, although not as much as cork or vinyl.
Another option for your kitchen upgrade is engineered wood planks, which are comprised of real wood on top, backed by a layer of plywood. As a result, engineered wood planks are less susceptible to humidity and extreme temperatures but still attractive—a good fit for your kitchen remodel. Plus, wood flooring, as well as wood lookalikes, is resurging in popularity for 2021.
Selecting a Floor for Your New Jersey Kitchen Remodel
There is a lot to consider when picking the right type of flooring for your kitchen remodel: cost, comfort, durability and how it blends with your lifestyle needs and design preferences. These are all factors to weigh while developing your remodeling plan with your New Jersey design-build company. Our team at JMC Home Improvement Specialists includes designers and architects who can provide valuable insight about the cost, performance and appearance of various kitchen materials and components, like flooring, to help you find the best fit for your project.
