12 ideas for kitchen flooring, from traditional tiles to sustainable cork

Traditional hardwood style

There was a time when wood flooring wasn't considered ideal for kitchens because kitchens are high-traffic and there's always the possibility of water damage from leaking sinks and appliances. But with many new homes adopting open floor plans and flooring that flows seamlessly from room to room, wood floors in the kitchen are making a comeback. “Wood floors are being used in kitchens more than ever,” says Steven Skutelsky, his managing partner at PID Floors. “If it's a very high-traffic area, we'll take appropriate steps to make sure the floor is maintained.” One of Skutelsky's suggestions is that the scratches and dents that occur on the road are less noticeable, so the floor can be painted white. He is to consider a light wood like oak.

Try high-tech engineered hardwood

For homeowners who are replacing the flooring throughout the house in conjunction with a kitchen remodel, engineered wood planks may be a natural choice. Because it is already finished, has many coloring options, and looks like real wood.

In fact, it is teeth It's a real tree, Skuterski says. “Solid wood floors are made from a single piece of hardwood from top to bottom. Engineered wood floors are real wood floors made from multiple layers of wood and slats glued together.” he says. “Both can usually be sanded and refinished, but with engineered flooring it depends on the thickness of the wear layer.”

John Heidenley, co-founder of Hoboken, N.J.-based boutique homebuilder Redbridge, uses custom-designed wood flooring in his luxury condominiums. “He uses engineered wood because designers like it,” he says. “If you use engineered wood in your kitchen, we always recommend putting a floor mat over the sink so it doesn't wear out faster than the rest of the floor.”

Choose porcelain tiles for versatility

You can't go wrong with porcelain tiles in your kitchen. It has been the kitchen flooring material of choice for decades because it is beautiful, durable, and easy to maintain. “Unless the room is too small or oddly shaped to allow for two types of flooring, tile is more functional in the kitchen because of the high traffic and water flow,” Heidenly says.

Porcelain floor tiles are versatile. Depending on the look you want, you can find samples of marble, stone, slate, concrete, and other looks. Available in multiple sizes and different price ranges. “You can find porcelain anywhere from a few dollars per square foot to $100 for something super fancy,” says Heidenry, who chose large-format concrete-colored tiles for her kitchen.

Classic with ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are similar to porcelain tiles in appearance and installation. However, it is not considered as durable as porcelain. Ceramic tiles are made of coarser clay than porcelain tiles and are not fired at as high a temperature, so the tiles are not as hard. Still, it's perfect for indoor use, such as on kitchen floors. It's also beautiful and economical, costing about half the cost per square foot of porcelain tile.

Thinking about Saltillo's timeless appeal

When you think of terracotta tiles, you probably think of: color Terracotta and Painted Saltillo – Kiln-fired clay tiles that have been handcrafted for centuries in Saltillo, Mexico. Saltillo is extremely durable thanks to the rich clay obtained from local riverbeds. The color belongs to the orange spectrum, with shades ranging from light pink to peach, brown, and brick red.

Saltillo flooring is a beautiful choice for your kitchen, especially if you want a Mediterranean look. In Missionary Revival homes in California, it is common to see Saltillo flooring covering the entire house. It has a warm and timeless look that goes well with white walls. However, not all terracotta-colored tiles are saltillo. And not all terracotta he tiles are terracotta colored.

Add texture with terracotta tiles

Terracotta is a kiln-fired clay tile made all over the world in almost every color and shape imaginable. Patterns can be very intricate and are a great way to bring texture and dimension to your kitchen.

“For this historic 1920s Tudor Revival mansion in Louisville, Kentucky, we replicated Clere's star-and-cross pattern gray Belgian terra cotta tiles,” says Bethany Adams, interior designer and president of Bethany Adams. I'll tell you. It provides a durable and beautiful foundation for countless other textures and finishes in this kitchen. ”

Modern (or) rustic with slate

Slate is a type of stone that can be cut into thin sheets. It has been used for indoor and outdoor flooring for centuries. Stone colors range from gray to bronze to olive green, but slate gray is the most commonly chosen color in today's kitchens. Stone is expensive, and slate can cost up to $10 per square foot. But nothing beats that simple, authentic feel. It works well in both traditional and modern kitchens.

Slate is heavy and requires multiple layers of mortar or other substrate, making it ideal for ground floor installations and rooms with sufficient support underneath. The subfloor must be perfectly level, as stone is brittle and can crack.

Try polished concrete for industrial prosperity

Concrete is an aggregate made of crushed rock, stone, or granite mixed with cement and water. Depending on the aggregate, it can be sparkly or muted in color. It is also possible to color it according to your wishes. Once dry, sand and polish the surface. It is also possible to paint concrete, and a beautiful finish can be achieved by using a two-component epoxy. You can imitate the look of marble and other stones for a fraction of the price.

Polished concrete floors look beautiful in modern, rustic, industrial kitchens, or homes with open floor plans. It is unlikely to see that only the kitchen floor is made of polished concrete. This is usually a through-the-floor choice for a seamless look throughout the home. Concrete is cold underfoot unless you also install radiant heat. We also recommend that you put a sticker on it because it gets dirty easily. However, cleaning and maintenance are easy.

Use high-grade vinyl planks in high-traffic areas

These days, you can hardly watch a home renovation show without hearing about luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Although it is a relatively new product in the flooring industry, it is gaining a lot of attention. “This is a versatile option that bridges the gap from low-end to high-end affordability,” says Josh Rudin, founder of ASAP Restoration. “We've used gorgeous LVT in both residential and commercial spaces. These tiles are perfect for high-traffic areas, depending on the thickness of the wear layer.” Most systems are click/ It is installed using a locking system, making the installation user-friendly, he added.

Adopting patterns in cement tiles

Cement tiles have been around for centuries, but they're back in a big way with modern farmhouse trends. Cement tiles feature very bright colors and patterns, such as fleur de lis. Tiles are usually arranged in groups of four to create large, bold patterns. This can provide a welcome contrast to an all-white or gray kitchen, and such floors really look great against white shiplap. However, one thing to keep in mind when using it in the kitchen is that the tiles must be sealed.

“Cement is a very porous surface, so if you plan on using cement tiles in your kitchen, make sure they're properly sealed,” says Ashley Makuga, lead designer at Collected Interiors. say. “Unsealed cement tiles can absorb some liquid and are more susceptible to staining, so be prepared for the inevitable olive oil stains.”

Be sustainable with marmoleum

Marmoleum is a brand of linoleum, but it's completely different from the flooring you might encounter when renovating an older home. And surprisingly, it is, and always has been, one of the most environmentally friendly flooring options you can choose. “Marmoleums are made today as they were almost a century ago,” says Joel Hershberg, owner and co-founder of Green Building Supply. “A truly green and eco-friendly floor, Marmoleum emits no formaldehyde, VOCs or harmful air pollutants, and has a positive impact on the climate.”

Marmoleum is made from flax, limestone, tree rosin, wood flour and natural pigments, and is lined with jute. Comes in rolls of any width for those looking for a seamless flow. However, other formats include modular tiles that are held in place with adhesives and click-lock panels that float without the use of nails or adhesives. It also comes in a variety of colors to suit any aesthetic.

consider cork

Another sustainable flooring option is cork. Cork is moisture-resistant, noise-reducing, and soft to the touch, making it ideal for the kitchen. “Cork floors have excellent thermal and sound absorption properties,” says Hirshberg. “It's beautiful, lightweight, warm to the touch, hypoallergenic, fire and insect resistant, moisture resistant, and maintains just like hardwood floors. But the number one reason people love cork floors is , because even though it's soft, it feels solid on your feet. As soon as you step on the cork floor, your knees and back relax.”