Has the time come to decide on kitchen flooring for your home decorating project? It can be a difficult decision when you’re not sure exactly what you need. Kitchen floors need to be tough enough to withstand the abuse it takes every day. It should be easy to clean and maintain. There will be a lot of food spills, so the mat is not a good choice for the kitchen. Not only is it difficult to clean, but it is also not very hygienic. Contaminants can get trapped in the carpet fibers. So what type of flooring would be appropriate? There are many types to choose from: hardwood, marble, slate, ceramic tile, vinyl, and wood laminates.

If you are drawn to hardwood floors, your best bet would be laminate. Laminate looks like wood but is very durable. It has the added benefits of being easy to install, stain repellent, and not easily damaged by water. It is also more affordable than slate or tile. Real hardwood floors do not hold up well to water damage and stains, as they absorb moisture that falls on them. They usually need to be sanded and repainted regularly. If they are badly damaged, the flooring will have to be torn out and replaced. Hardwood floor maintenance is tricky business because any moisture must be wiped up and dried immediately.

Many people like to use slate or ceramic tile in the kitchen because of its durability. The range of color and style options also makes them a good choice from a decorating standpoint. The three tile shapes to look for are porcelain, ceramic, slate, and quarry. One of the reasons tiles are so popular is that if one tile breaks, you can simply replace it with another one without having to redo the entire floor. To avoid accidents when using slate tiles, make sure that the slate used in kitchens is the low-gloss type. High gloss slate can become very slippery when wet. Both ceramic and slate tiles are highly durable. You don’t have to worry too much about water damage or stains.

Vinyl flooring is making a comeback. It’s not as durable as tile, but it’s still waterproof. You can buy vinyl in sheets or in tiles. It is very easy to install and easy on your feet when you have to stand in the kitchen to cook and wash dishes. Vinyl tile is less waterproof than sheet vinyl. Another drawback is that lighter colored vinyl tends to stain easily. The color options for vinyl are many; you can find some vinyl that looks like marble or slate without the cost.

Linoleum has come a long way since its inception. Now you can find a wide variety of styles and patterns. Linoleum is very easy to clean and is also quite durable.

Your decision on the type of kitchen flooring should take into account your taste, as well as durability and maintenance.