Making the right choice
When it comes to the kitchen floor there are so many options to choose from. You will need to establish your needs before you can select the material, colour and design you like best. Your needs will be centred around functionality (comfort, easy to clean), durability (wear and tear, staining and damage), style (the look and feel) and of course - cost (fitting within your budget). Let's take a look at 10 popular flooring choices you may like to include in your new kitchen design...
tiles
You will find that both ceramic and porcelain tile kitchen floors are easy to clean. What you need to be aware of is that because the are so hard and durable and can withstand impacts and heat they can also be a touch uncomfortable to stand on for long periods. In terms of your budget, you need to factor in the cost of the tiles (ranging upwards from $25 per square metre) as well as paying a tiler to lay them for you. The average cost of a tiler per square metre is between $35 and $120 depending on the complexity of your kitchen floor area.
hardwood
Hardwood is hard wearing and impervious to stains and spills. It is also tough on the cooks legs when standing for long periods. Hardwood will add a warmth to your kitchen that no other flooring material can achieve. Hardwood is and expensive option however most will only use it if it already exists in their kitchen space. You will also have to maintain your hardwood every few years (stain and protective coating) to ensure its lustrous look.
laminate
Laminate offers you a range of colours (wood grain, tile looks), textures (smooth or rough), shapes (panels, squares) and finishes (matte, gloss). You can achieve the look of some of your more expensive natural materials while remaining in budget. Laminate is durable and slightly more giving than the harder materials like concrete and tiles, so comfort levels will increase.
concrete
If you are going for an industrial kitchen design or something extremely modern and clean then you should consider a concrete kitchen floor. Concrete is extremely durable, if sealed correctly it is okay with spills and and cleans easily. It also hides a multitude of sins if you are a messy chef. Concrete is one of the harder materials so again you may find it uncomfortable to stand for hours on this kitchen flooring. In terms of remaining in budget, you can use your existing concrete slab and simply polish and seal it.
vinyl
Vinyl is available to you in many colours, patterns and textures. You can select a vinyl that looks exactly like slate, hardwood or tiles at a fraction of the cost. Vinyl will provide you with a warm feeling underfoot and a tad more comfort that its counterparts. Vinyl is one of the more economical choices and will therefore conform to your budget.
bamboo
If you are looking for a sustainable option then bamboo may be for you. Because it is such a fast growing grass it is available in abundance and slightly more environmentally sound than some other wood options. Bamboo is not as hard wearing as some of the other kitchen flooring materials so you need to be cautious with heavy utensils, pets claws and your favourite heels.
rubber
While you may be used to seeing rubber flooring in the gym or at your child's favourite playground you can also select it as your new kitchen flooring. Rubber floors will make a great addition to your contemporary kitchen design and because they are so springy and spongy they will provide you with more comfort while you cook. Rubber flooring can come in many colours, textures and patterns to suit your specific design style.
cork
You may turn your nose up at the thought of a cork kitchen floor, however cork has come a long way since the days of the one colour and style. You can now get cork in a vast range of colours, design styles and of course shapes (panels, tiles, sheets etc). Cork is a great insulator and it muffles loud sounds, creates a comfortable cooking experience and a warm atmosphere.
carpet
Carpet tiles or flooring can add a unique sense of warmth to your new kitchen. You have the option of rugs, mats, carpet squares or completely carpeting the kitchen area. Comfort will not be a problem however if you are a flamboyant cook you may need to explore other options as carpet is not the easiest to keep clean.
linoleum
If you are environmentally conscious then you need to consider linoleum as your next kitchen floor. It is made from natural products (linseed oil, flour, wood resin and pigments). It is considered hypoallergenic because of its unique ability to repel dust. Linoleum is durable and hard wearing and with a buff every couple of years it will remain in top condition complementing your new kitchen.
Well, those are your kitchen flooring options and a brief run down on each. If you are still undecided then give KICH a call and one of their experienced kitchen designers can help determine the best option for your household and your kitchen design. If you don't have a kitchen design yet, don't worry because KICH offer a FREE kitchen design service.
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