Of all the floors in your home, your kitchen goes through a tough time. Not only does it have to deal with the traffic through the kitchen, but it also has to deal with spillages and food being dropped on it. Because of the treatment your kitchen floor endures, it is important that you choose the right type, so it will last a long time. Choosing the right floor isn’t just about durability, it is also about cost and the look you want for your kitchen.
Stone Flooring
If you are considering stone flooring, you will have an excellent range to choose. There are many types available including slate, limestone, and granite and they all have good and bad points. Softer stone like limestone can wear down over time, and this can lead to an uneven surface. Some stone tiles also have a grain that can allow dirt and bacteria to get in and breed. Using stone means you have a highly durable surface that is good for dealing with water and spillages. However, it can be unforgiving when things like crockery are dropped on it, and it can be cold to walk on, especially in the winter.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is a durable material that is great for kitchens because it’s resilient and waterproof. You can get it in tiles or as sheets that you cut to fit, although tiles can be easier to fit, you can get dirt in the gaps between the tiles which can be difficult to remove. The benefits of rubber flooring are that it is warm, strong and more forgiving than harder flooring. The downsides of rubber flooring are that it needs to be laid on a level and smooth floor. If you have floorboards, you will have to sand them down or put plywood on over the top.
Polished Concrete
If you are looking for a little something different but still classy, then polished concrete could be the one for you. It is a surface that if looked after properly, can last indefinitely, in fact, it gets stronger with age. It is something you need to get laid professionally as the air bubbles need to be extracted or it will crumble. You will probably also want a plumbing service like www.rapidrootercharlotte.com to come in and help deal with the pipework. It is great for retaining heat during the day and releasing it at night, and you can use it with underfloor heating. The only downsides to polished concrete are that if it cracks, it can’t be repaired without leaving a mark, it is also a hard surface to fall on for little ones.
There are other types of flooring that you can use in your kitchen, but they are not all best suited for the kitchen environment. For example, if you are looking at wooden flooring, then you will need to ensure that it is sealed professionally to prevent water damage and warping of the wood.
