Cooking is tough on the floor. How do you choose the one that requires little maintenance? Contains splashes and stains caused by inevitable spills on the floor. Also, there are extreme temperatures and bulky devices that stick for years. Then there are the sharp or heavy objects that fall, like knives, boxes, and pans that can pierce or crack the bottom.
The material that you choose for a kitchen floor should be able to withstand all these loads daily. Simultaneously, it should be relatively easy to clean and maintain, so you can spend more time cooking and less time cleaning and maintaining your floor.
Table of Contents
1. Vinyl
Vinyl is a relatively new surface coating that has only been developed for floors in the last few decades. It’s a man-made material, similar to plastic, with many of the same elastic and robust properties. This makes it resistant to almost all dyes and makes the surface relatively easy to clean from spills and splashes. Vinyl is also a sturdy flooring material that won’t crack, tear, or scratch easily.
2. Natural Stone
Natural stone refers to a wide variety of materials extracted from the earth and then transformed into architectural elements. This is important because different types of stones have different properties. Marble and onyx, for example, are very soft, smooth to scratch, and colored with liquids.
If you’re looking for a right, low-maintenance stone kitchen floor, you should probably look for slate and granite materials. These are tough stones that can be made almost waterproof with a suitable waterproofing treatment. They’re also resistant to scratches and nicks. However, chips and cracks can appear if something substantial falls or the floor is improperly laid.
Slate and multi-colored granite can also save you time cleaning up. The marbled surface of these materials tends to hide dirt and imperfections. You don’t have to work as hard to keep your kitchen pristine as all stains are camouflaged by paint.
Note that kitchen floors made of natural stone should be sealed regularly to make them impervious to water damage and stains.
3. Linoleum
Linoleum is a low-maintenance, easy-care, and durable floor covering that is also environmentally friendly. Linoleum is made from linseed oil and is easily renewable, all-natural, biodegradable, and has practically no negative impact on the environment. It can even be recycled into fuel for generating sets at the end of its life cycle.
At the same time, linoleum has many durable properties that make elastic floors so accessible in kitchens. This includes stain and splash resistance and inherent durability that protects against cracks, tears, or scratches. In some cases, warping can occur in damp or humid environments. However, this has mostly been addressed through modern improvements in the manufacturing process.
4. Ceramics
With ceramic floors, you get the look, feel, and strength of natural stone in a tile that is also impervious to moisture penetration. The cleaning can be done by sweeping, vacuuming, or cleaning the surface with a damp mop, if necessary, with spot treatments. You don’t have to worry about sealing the tiles either. However, applying a layer over the grout lines can help reduce mold growth. That’s why ceramic tiles are really popular kitchen materials.
5. Concrete Slab
It is effortless to maintain and maintain a concrete kitchen floor. This is because this material is sturdy, durable, and strong enough to serve as the basis for an entire home. Concrete is tough to chip, scratch, or dent. Even if you somehow manage to do it, repairs are usually straightforward, quick, and relatively inexpensive.
The only maintenance problem you can have with concrete in a kitchen is that it is pervious. This means that spilled liquids can spill and then enter the body of the material. Fortunately, concrete floors can be sealed to create an invisible barrier over the surface while plugging porous holes in the concrete below.
Conclusion
You push the floor in your kitchen a lot. Between the spills and drips, the heat and fallen utensils, and the constant trampling of feet, the floor in this room need to be able to handle multiple hazards and do it well.
Not all materials are well suited for this location, and some materials will last longer than others with less maintenance. Balancing style, function, and comfort is the key to making the right choice. So try to go with these options to stay hassle-free.
