Flooring Options for a Kitchen Remodel

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The flooring in a room sets the scene and influences how the other components look. Thus, you need to consider all your options during kitchen renovations. Here are several possibilities.

Hardwood Floorboards

Timber planks harmonise with various kitchen styles, ranging from rustic to modern. You can pick from species such as jarrah, spotted gum, and Tasmanian oak. The colours of the planks range from pale ash to deep ebony shades. You can also finish the timber to alter its colour.

You also have a lot of scope for customising timber floors. Opt for wide or narrow planks or use variable widths to create a natural look. You can lay the planks horizontally, vertically or diagonally in the room.

While timber is sturdy and lasts for decades, it can be compromised by moisture and humidity. It can rot or warp if you leave pooling water on the surface. Additionally, the boards can swell in humid conditions, possibly causing the floor to buckle. They can also shrink in drier environments, leaving tiny gaps between the planks. Engineered planks are more resilient as they consist of a stable plywood core covered with a hardwood veneer. 

Installing a timber floor is relatively intricate as each board needs to be cut and fitted into place. They're often nailed or stapled to the subfloor. However, engineered timber planks come in simpler tongue and groove designs that can be clicked together and placed on top, a process termed "a floating floor."

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles come in many more colours and designs than timber. You can choose bright blue and white patterns or terracotta designs. Ceramic tiles can also be finished to mimic natural stone and wood.

Unlike wood, ceramic tiles are impervious to water damage and thus ideal for kitchen floors. Porcelain tiles use a unique clay and are fired at higher temperatures than standard ceramic tiles. This makes porcelain even more sturdy.

Tiles, however, create hard flooring, which can be tiring on the legs if you walk around on them for hours. However, you could place rugs over the floor. Additionally, crockery may break if you drop it on hard ceramic. You'll also need to clean and maintain the grout.

Laminate Planks

Another option to consider for your kitchen is laminate planks. This flooring consists of several layers. The core might be MDF. This is covered with a photograph of timber, giving the planks an authentic look. The boards are then encased in a hard plastic wear layer.

Laminate planks are easier to install than solid planks, as they can be clicked together and set on the surface, similarly to engineered boards. They don't need to be attached to the subfloor like solid timber or grouted like tiles. Laminate planks are often placed on a foam underlayer, giving the flooring some give when you walk over it.

However, water can cause problems if it puddles and seeps between the joints. This depends on whether the planks are water-resistant and susceptible to damage, or whether they're waterproof and more immune to problems.

Contact a local remodelling contractor to learn more about flooring and other kitchen renovations.


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