5 Best Flooring options for your kitchen
5 Best Flooring Options for Your Kitchen
As one of the most used (and abused) rooms in your home, the kitchen needs to be as durable
as it is aesthetic. In this guide, we’ll take you on an exploration of the best flooring for kitchens
in Toronto and around the country.
Making the right choice when evaluating kitchen flooring options can transform your kitchen
space into an area representative of your personal style, while enhancing the aesthetics and
architecture of other elements such as cabinets and lighting.
Best Flooring for Kitchen
Unlike other home flooring options, best flooring kitchen requires special considerations. After
all, the kitchen is an area prone to heavy foot traffic and moisture (spills).
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING THE BEST FLOORING FOR KITCHEN
1. Lifestyle/Use
Are you frequent diners at your favorite restaurant, spending most of your meals out on the
town? Perhaps you are an aspiring or amateur baker, whipping up a mess that even Martha
Steward would frown at. Or maybe you’re a working parent needing an efficient kitchen to
quickly and comfortably whip up meals between running errands. The type of kitchen flooring
best for your home will be dependent in part on how you intend to use the kitchen.
2. Personal Style and Existing Designs
Just like picking out an outfit, you want a floor that best expresses your personal style. Similarly,
you want a kitchen floor that complements the existing elements of your kitchen and the
overall design of your home.
3. Comfort
Although a lesser consideration for most, comfort can be incredibly important. Do you spend
hours in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove or prepping meals for the family? If yes, you may
want to consider a material that is softer and warmer underfoot.
4. Maintenance
No one likes cleaning up. Fact is, some flooring materials require more upkeep. Some material
is more prone to attracting dirt and grime, while others, such as tile or natural hardwood, may
need to be re-grouted or re-stained after several years.
5. Price
Most of us are on a budget of some kind. Be realistic about what you can afford to pay outright
for or finance. Use this as an easy way to eliminate options not in that range.
Best Flooring for Kitchen: your options
1. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has come a long way since it was introduced to the market. Floor Critics
explains that the options available today combine the best of real hardwood flooring with the
versatility and cost-savings of engineered wood.
Pros:
● Moderately durable and capable of handling foot traffic
● Moderately moisture-resistant, capable of handling regular spills
● Aesthetic, effectively mimicking real hardwood
● Available in a wide range of types, styles, and patterns
● Easy to install and cost-effective
Cons:
● Low cost, budget options can be poorer in quality
● Moderately priced
● Not as durable as real hardwood
● Doesn’t increase the value of a home as much as hardwood
● Can be prone to scratching, denting or damage from heavy objects and impacts
2. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is the quintessential classic home flooring option, combining both beauty and
warmth while being comfortable as well as durable. Ideal for open floor plans, hardwood can
easily be extended well beyond your kitchen.
Pros:
● High durability
● Beautiful and high-end
● Compatible and complementary to most design styles
● Available in a generous selection of woods and grains
Cons:
● High cost
● More difficult to install
● May require upkeep after years (staining and sealing)
● Prone to warping under high moisture conditions
3. Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring isn’t the cheap, dull, material it once was. Modern laminate has come a long
way, improving quality as well as visual appeal to create an easy to install, attractive and
durable alternative to solid hardwood.
Pros:
● Moderately durable
● Attractive
● Easy to install (can even DIY)
● Available in a multitude of patterns and styles
● Wide range of options mimicking other flooring types such as hardwood, cork, bamboo,
tile, marble and concrete.
Cons:
● Less durable
● More susceptible to moisture damage from spills
● Some options may feel or look inauthentic/fake
4. Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is a popular and versatile flooring option that stands the test of time as a durable,
clean and elegant solution. Ideal for kitchen spaces due to its ease of maintenance, and
resistance to wear and moisture, many Toronto homeowners are turning to tile as a preferred
flooring material.
Pros:
● Tough and durable, lasting upwards of 20+ years with proper care
● Cheaper than natural hardwood
● Chemical resistant
● Hygenic and easy to clean and maintain
● Diverse, available in a wide range of colors, styles, textures, and patterns
Cons:
● Destructively hard: dropped items on tile floors often break
● Grout can be prone to staining, wear and even mildew over time and may need semi-
regular cleaning and even replacement grout after years
● Tile tends to absorb the ambient temperature, becoming cold in the winter and
hot/warm in the summer months
● Can be more expensive than laminate, vinyl and engineered hardwood
5. Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a classic flooring option, offering affordability and versatility, combined with moderate
durability and low maintenance. It offers a unique balance of soft ‘give’ underfoot, making it a
comfortable option.
Pros:
● Easy to install
● Affordable / high-value
● Stands up well to foot traffic
● Easy to clean and maintain
● Moisture resistant
Cons:
● Can be damaged by dropping hard or sharp objects on it, or by moving furniture or
appliances without using padding underneath
● Require a perfectly smooth underlying surface for installation, otherwise, imperfections
can show through
● If glued down, can be difficult to remove when replacing or upgrading flooring later on
Find the Best Flooring for Your Toronto Kitchen
The best kitchen flooring is a somewhat subjective topic, but by using this guide as a reference,
you can begin to sort through the array of options on the market to find that perfect floor for
your home. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for guidance. The team at
Kitchen Land is composed of highly talented and dedicated kitchen design professionals ready
and eager to help Greater Toronto Area customers find a kitchen floor that hits the mark.