It’s no surprise to anyone that the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home. Being used daily with many spills and messes to clean, you want to be selective on the type of kitchen flooring you choose. Read on to learn about the 4 best kitchen flooring options for Canada and to find out which option works best for your home.
1. Engineered Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is the desired look in any room of the house, but many people shy away from using it in the kitchen. This is due to hardwood expanding and warping in environments that are humid and moist (the kitchen being home to these factors). Since it is so loved, engineered hardwood was created and is now preferred due to its durability and beautiful solid wood look. Remember to sweep and mop regularly to keep this material in good shape and long-lasting. Since it is of high demand and hard to make, engineered hardwood materials will cost around $10.4 per square foot.
2. Natural Stone Tile
For a natural alternative to hardwood, there’s stone tile. Natural stone is known for its variety of options and colours while continuing to stay durable, heavy, and waterproof. Although it is on the pricier side of flooring, natural stone will add a ton of resale value to your home, especially because each piece is so unique. Since this material is so heavy, expensive, and complicated to install, it is best left to the professionals. Natural stone tile follows just behind engineered hardwood at around $9.2 per square foot.
3. Cork
Cork is one of the most sustainable types of flooring because it is harvested from tree bark, which also makes it eco-friendly. An excellent choice for a kitchen as it is extremely moisture-resistance and slip-resistant. A few downsides to cork are that it has to be sealed by a flooring professional every few years, heavy objects may cause indentations, and being in direct sunlight it will cause it to discolour. This material is one of the less expensive types, around $6.4 per square foot.
4. Porcelain Tile
Porcelain is a great option as its an affordable material that can handle spills and replicates natural stone. It is extremely durable, stain-resistance and waterproof, however, has a few disadvantages. Due to its unmatched durability, porcelain is tough to stand on for a lengthy amount of time. Additionally, due to its mess resistance, porcelain can cause slippage to occur. The grout between the tiles can also grow mold if not cleaned properly. Keep this tile in top shape by having it deep cleaned once a year and resealed every few years. This product’s price can’t be beaten at around $5.1 per square foot.
Choosing the right flooring can be quite time consuming and is almost never a job you should DIY. Taking into consideration the aesthetic, durability, maintenance, and pricing you want can be a lot of information at once. Consult with a flooring specialist today to discuss further options and what would best for your household.
