What Is the Best Flooring to Put Down in a Kitchen?

Vinyl and Laminate

• Vinyl is good for long periods of standing but laminate is not. Both are durable and good if you have kids and pets as they are stain resistant. However, vinyl and laminate are not good for radiant floor heating. The main advantage of vinyl flooring is that it's available in a multitude of colors and patterns, it's not difficult to clean and it's inexpensive. Laminate flooring can withstand heavy traffic and is available in different grain patterns and colors. Laminate gives you the look of wood with the ease of maintenance as it resists scratches and dents. Vinyl flooring, however, can peel up, is not biodegradable, punctures quite easily and sunlight affects its surface. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, is susceptible to water damage.

Stone and Ceramic

• Stone flooring like travertine or slate, and ceramic flooring, which are either glazed, unglazed or porcelain, are not good choices if you have to stand for long periods of time. Likewise, both are not good choices if you have kids and pets as these floors are not stain resistant unless treated with special sealants. However, stone and ceramic floors are good for radiant floor heating and are extremely durable. The main advantage of stone flooring is that it has a warm and natural look and feel. The main advantage of ceramic is that you can create virtually any pattern on your floor as it is available in a multitude of colors and sizes. The disadvantage of stone flooring, however, is that it can be slippery and feel cold underfoot, and some kinds of stone, such as marble or granite, are quite expensive. The disadvantage of ceramic flooring is that it's hard on the feet.

Hardwood and Linoleum

• Although hardwood flooring is not a good option for long periods of standing and is not good if you have kids and pets, linoleum flooring is. Hardwood flooring needs a special coating to prevent stains and linoleum is stain-resistant. Both types of flooring are not good for radiant floor heating. Whereas hardwood is durable, linoleum is not. The main advantages of hardwood is its durability and the fact that it can be refinished. The advantages of linoleum is that it's environmentally friendly and isn't affected by sunlight. Hardwood flooring's main disadvantages are its susceptibility to water damage, staining, bacteria and dents. Linoleum flooring's main disadvantage is that it's not available in many colors.

Concrete and Carpet

• Concrete flooring is not a good option if you have to stand for long periods of time, but carpet is. Both types of flooring are not good if you have kids and pets and both are not stain resistant. Concrete is good for radiant floor heating and is durable, but carpet is neither of the two. The advantages of concrete flooring is that it's not difficult to maintain and can be stained or painted. The main advantages of carpet is the comfort it provides and it's quiet underfoot. The main disadvantage of concrete flooring is that it requires sealing and the main disadvantages of carpet is that it's difficult to keep clean and can harbor allergens.