My (Somewhat) Obnoxious Take On Choosing Kitchen Flooring

I've fielded a lot of questions about flooring materials lately, especially kitchen flooring. What is most durable, easier to clean, or even how to avoid having lots of dirty grout? Not to mention affordablility? Here are some of my favorite tips for choosing a new kitchen floor:

Choose tile.

Yep, I know that was obnoxious. But seriously, choose tile for your kitchen floor. There are a few other good options, but this is the one I will recommend time and time again. I know you want more than just that, so here are the actual pros and cons for other kitchen flooring materials. And I know there will be people who disagree with the points I make, but that's their prerogative. Just know that I am right.

The kitchen is a high traffic, often damp location. You need a floor that can hold up under those conditions. Hardwood is beautiful, but it can scratch over time. They can be refinished, just know that scratches come with the territory. And yes, I know some engineered hardwoods say they are scratch resistant. So go ahead and install them. Just not in my kitchen, please. Hardwood flooring can also be damaged by water, especially water that sits or drips regularly. A leak under the sink or fridge can cause all kinds of damage to your beautiful floors. Can you patch and refinish hardwoods floors that have been damaged? Sure you can. Will it cost a pretty penny? Definitely. Do you barely use your kitchen and just want it to look absolutely beautiful? Go for it and install hardwood. And send me a photo!

Fine, no hardwoods. How about laminate flooring? You could definitely install laminate floors in your kitchen. They look like hardwood, but are warmer and more cushioned under your feet. They are super quick to install and that brings the labor cost way down. Seems like a great option. Until you discover how easily they are damaged by water. And then, when you go to repair a damaged area, you will probably discover that you can never find the same laminate again. Every brand has different widths, thicknesses, and textures. Good luck finding a piece to repair it with (yes, this comes from some distressing personal experience). And, since it isn't hardwood, you can't just patch it, sand it down, and refinish everything to look like one floor. So, if you want the cheaper laminate route, go ahead. Just be prepared to rip it all out if your floors get damaged.

What about vinyl? Hmm. So many options. Vinyl sheeting? A big roll of vinyl? No grout lines there! And it installs quickly. Don't do it. I'm begging you! This doesn't hold up against cleaning materials as well as you might expect (ask me how I know) and frankly, it looks cheap. You will regret this choice quickly. Vinyl tiles? They also install quickly, but can actually slowly shift over time (ask me again how I know), exposing sticky, dirt-trapping residue. I won't be installing vinyl tile any time soon. Vinyl plank? Actually, this is my backup option if you really can't install tile. Vinyl plank is quite durable, scratch resistant, and water resistant. And it looks a lot like wood, so if that is the look you want, it might be a good option. This is a way safer material than most of the others we have already discussed. Is it as durable and nice as tile? No, but it isn't bad.

Here we are, back at tile. Now, when I say tile here, I mean something very specific. There are tons of beautiful tiles, but I only use one type in my kitchens. I install porcelain tile every time I design a kitchen. Here's why: Marble is beautiful, but scratches too easily to be on a kitchen floor. Think of everything you drag across your kitchen floor (like step stools...what did you think I meant?) and you will understand. It also has a high price point, so keep that in mind. Travertine and limestone are beautiful, but are also softer and you may end up with chipping and scratching. Granite and quartzite are super durable, but can be very expensive. Ceramic tile is less dense and more easily chipped as well. All of these tiles are water proof, however, so if you don't use your kitchen too heavily, you can definitely install these materials and your floors will be beautiful.

Personally, I prefer porcelain tile for my kitchen floors. Porcelain is more dense than ceramic, so there is less chance of chipping and no scratching. I buy full-body porcelain, so if there were to be an unlikely chip, the color would be the same all the way through the tile and the chip will be less obvious. I use rectified tiles, which means that the edges are flat, at 90 degree angles, and the tiles can be laid with very small grout lines. And I prefer matte tile, for a less slippery surface, although full disclosure, I have polished porcelain on the floor of my kitchen. And there are so many colors and patterns, I can literally get the look of any stone, or even wood, but as a porcelain tile. There is a higher labor cost to install tile, but the material can definitely be affordable especially if you take into consideration not having to refinish or replace it due to water damage. I have scratch resistant, waterproof, minimal grout flooring that can hold up to anything that might take place in my kitchen.

So, as I started with, my best advice for kitchen flooring is to install tile. But as they used to say in a kids show about reading that I watched when I was little...you don't have to take my word for it.