While wood looks beautiful on the floor of any kitchen, it isn’t the only option. Wood suffers from water exposure, which is something a kitchen can have a problem with.
To address this concern, this article will go through six different wood substitutes for your kitchen floors.
Substitute #1: Natural Stone Floors
Natural stone like slate, marble, or granite is great on any kitchen surface. This comes from stone’s ability to resist water and almost any damage. Under the right conditions, stone flooring lasts a lifetime.
Stone is more prone to staining and requires regular resealing. It is also one of the most expensive materials to choose from because it is difficult to shape and install.
Substitute #2: Tile Flooring
Tile is excellent in rooms with regular exposure to water. You are more likely to see tile flooring in a bathroom because of this. Still, tile is a quality choice for kitchens.
Much like stone, you can expect it to require resealing, but without the same durability. Tile is a slippery surface, making them less suitable in homes where you are concerned about fall risk.
Substitute #3: Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a material that is usable in all locations in your home. The wood-like looks make it an excellent substitute, as vinyl can mimic almost any material. Vinyl is also resistant to moisture.
Vinyl’s biggest problems related to durability. Regardless of where you use vinyl, you will likely have to work on replacing it every so often due to damage.
Substitute #4: Laminate Flooring
Laminate is another substitution for wood because of its ability to mimic the material. Laminate is the cheapest form of flooring available and suitable for DIY projects because of how easy it is to use.
The drawback of laminate flooring comes from its lack of durability. There are even some forms of laminate that are not waterproof, which is a big drawback in any environment where water exists.
Substitute #5 Cork Flooring
Cork flooring is another DIY-friendly variant known for having “snap-together” edges. It is the softest flooring available on this list, which makes it warmer than other types of flooring here.
Cork’s biggest problem comes from its ease of being dented by heavy appliances. However, you can see the cork flooring lift again given enough time out from under the appliances.
Substitute #6: Cement Flooring
Cement comes in a straight finish or in tiles. It is done as a top layer over other floorings, making it suitable for cover-up jobs where the floor is ugly, but in good condition.
Cement works like stone, meaning it is very expensive and will require regular sealing. Like other hard floors, it doesn’t have the warmth of cork.
Wrap Up – What is the Best Kitchen Flooring?
There is no one answer to the best kitchen flooring, but vinyl and laminate are both suitable replacements for wood.
To find out what your options are, contact our team to get a quote and see what floor your family needs to make your kitchen feel complete.