Posts Tagged ‘Wood Floor’
Flooring For Your Kitchen
The kitchen is a tough area to decide on when it comes to flooring. On one hand, the kitchen flooring must remain flexible enough to support the legs and back. On the other hand, however, the flooring must be resistant to stains and a high level of foot traffic. The best flooring looks great for years without a lot of maintenance. Spills and accidents will occur frequently, demanding reliability and durability from flooring that is installed in the kitchen area. To prevent serious maintenance problems and future expenses, it pays to install the right kind of flooring to begin with.
Wood flooring has long been used in the kitchen, but it can lead to high maintenance costs. Wood aborbs moisture, causing it to warp and crack over time. When a wood floor absorbs too much moisture it can end up crowning or cupping, leading to a surface that must be replaced or sanded down. The only solution to this problem is to sand down the bowing section, or to go the expensive route and replace the floor. These options are both time consuming and costly, and involve many hours as well as thousands of dollars. While a properly constructed and processed wood floor may resist these problems, wood flooring is definitely more likely to break down because of these problems.
Slate and ceramic tile are more reliable. Tile and slate do not suffer from water exposure, and do not suffer from warping or cracking. As fairly tough materials, they undergo little expansion or contraction.
Slate and ceramic flooring are available in a broad range of colors and shades. Slate and ceramic flooring are also very slip resistant, making them a safer surface to use in the kitchen as well. Hardwood flooring may be hazardous when wet, especially if it has been exposed to moisture. When using slate as a kitchen surface, be sure to go with a low gloss or finish for extra slip protection.
Laminate flooring is also another viable option in the kitchen. To achieve that hardwood look without the maintenance issues, laminate flooring can be a wonderful option. Laminate flooring is easy to install, affordable, and very resistant to both absorbing moisture and food stains.
Laminate flooring is also engineered to work under heavy loads and traffic. The kitchen is a demanding place for flooring, and should be given flooring that will withstand as much. Choosing the right kind of flooring will give homeowners lasting durability, with low maintenance requirements.