The Best Flooring for Kitchens in 2021

The kitchen is the hub of activity. It should not surprise that you want durable flooring for your kitchen. To prevent floors from bursting due to spills or splashes, it is a good idea for waterproof options. These are the top flooring options for your kitchen, and they will last you a lifetime.

Special Considerations underfoot

The kitchen is used every day, unlike other rooms in the house, whether it’s for food storage, preparation, family or group dining, or as a gathering place for activities. The kitchen is more resilient than any other room, except perhaps the bathroom. Both are frequently exposed to moisture. From washing dishes, sinks, cooking, ice makers/refrigerators, to regular foot traffic, moisture is a real consideration that affects every surface in the kitchen, especially the floor. Waterproofing is a key consideration when choosing kitchen flooring.

A durable floor is essential due to the number of children, adults, and pets who use the kitchen every day. Many kitchens can double as a “mudroom”, which houses all of the dirt, debris, and moisture that one can track from outside.

Also, moisture on a hard surface could cause accidents, just like in a bathroom. When moisture is added to waterproof flooring, many options can become extremely slippery. Consider non-slip flooring options for kitchen floors.

Working with flooring and remodeling professionals like your partners at The Good Guys can help you to identify these considerations and guide you in the right direction for choosing the right flooring for your project.

Kitchen Flooring Options

When do you consider all of the above special considerations and other factors such as price, who doesn’t want cheap flooring? Let’s look at the best types of flooring for kitchens.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors have been a popular choice for homeowners for over a century. Solid hardwood floors are warm, durable, stylish, and water-resistant. Yes. Yes, you read that correctly. Hardwood floors are not waterproof. Hardwood floors are waterproof if they have the right finish. However, long-term moisture exposure can cause them to become brittle. Spills must be cleaned up as soon as possible. However, engineered hardwood floors with non-water-resistant or composite cores or laminates can withstand more abuse.

Hardwoods can be used in a kitchen, despite their “weakness”. You can refinish them to match the flooring in the house or give your kitchen a unique look. Hardwood floors can slip depending on their finish. However, there are design options such as distressed or hand-scraped finishes and plank width/length that can increase the surface area to improve traction.

The 2021 hardwood trends to be on the lookout for are lighter finishes and more variety. The cherry and deep walnut finishes are timeless and traditional, but hardwood flooring in 2021 will be lighter and more natural. You will see terms such as “blonde”, “honey,” and grays, as well as whitewashes and greys, in hardwood flooring for 2021. Another trend to watch in 2021 is color variety – dark wood mixed with lighter and medium-tone woods creates an eye-catching floor.

Hardwood flooring can also be laid in patterns, much like tile lay patterns. The Good Guys can help you design a pattern that will be in fashion for 2021, but also timeless for the future. While airborne, diagonal, and other patterns will still be very popular, wide plank and mixed plank widths are back in style.

Reclaimed, recycled and environmentally-sustainable options are all popular choices for hardwood flooring.

Laminate

Laminate floors can be used in the kitchen as a warm and water-resistant option to hardwood floors. Laminate floors are not waterproof so homeowners need to consider this when choosing laminate. Laminates are a cheaper way to achieve the same look as traditional hardwood.

However, many flooring companies now offer “waterproof laminate”, which is a laminate that has a rigid core of waterproof material. This adds strength and stability. These eliminate the fear of moisture damage.

The benefits of laminates are still available, including the ability to be installed in a variety of ways. Laminate floors can be clicked together, permanently installed (glued down), or floated. This allows for installation on uneven subfloors.

Similar to hardwood, lighter finishes will become the hottest trend in 2021. Gray washes and light woods will be the most popular styles. Look out for planks that are longer than 36 inches and 48 inches, as well as wider planks (8 inches). The trend for all-wood and wood-look laminates.

Laminate floors continue to be popular for mimicking solid laminate flooring Wallasey unique colors and patterns. As homeowners want realistic, hand-scraped floors, they will continue to enjoy distressed, rustic, and “reclaimed”, looks in 2021. These patterns, such as chevron and herringbone, are still very popular.

Tile

Tile flooring is a classic and long-lasting option for wet areas. Tile can last for a lifetime if properly grouted, sealed, and maintained. Tile is, anecdotally speaking, the number one most popular option for kitchen flooring. There are many options for kitchen floor tiles. It’s important to know the differences so you can choose what is best for you.

You should consider asking The Good Guys for help in selecting the best option for kitchen floor tile for your project.

Here are the most sought-after kitchen tile varieties.

Porcelain or Ceramic

This tile is the best for kitchen floors and walls. Ceramic tiles are made from clay, which is a natural material. They can be baked to a finished look. You can find them in many styles, shapes, and colors.

Ceramic tiles are resistant to spills, splatters, and other messes that can be made in kitchens. These messes won’t cause damage to the tile but can stain grout.

Porcelain tiles are the most well-known type of ceramic tile. They can withstand any stain and are waterproof. Because they are baked at higher temperatures, porcelain tiles are more durable than regular ceramics. They can be slippery due to their durability. Look out for tiles that are slip-resistant or have non-slip features such as patterns and texture. These tiles are often found on porcelain and ceramic tiles that look like wood or stone. It can be challenging to install so make sure to give your professionals at The Good Guys a phone.

Natural Stone

Natural stone is another great option for kitchen tiles. Stone tiles, such as granite and marble, are more expensive. Like ceramic, they are available in many colors and patterns. However, the most sought-after options feature natural colors and patterns rather than those created by man.

Natural stone tile requires a little more care than ceramic or porcelain. They should be sealed after installation and resealed as the seasons change. They can be a durable and beautiful surface for your kitchen if you take care of them.

Tiles will continue to be a popular choice for kitchen flooring in 2021. These tiles are popular for their ability to mimic hardwood floors with planks or “grain” finishes. As they were in previous years, larger tile sizes are still popular. Plank tile 8′ wide by 48′ long is a huge hit, along with 12″ x 24-inch ceramic tiles. Subway tiles, as well as decorative tiles, will still be in demand despite these trends. In larger sizes, the popularity of traditional square tiles is rising.

In 2021, mixing tile sizes and creating patterned installations will become more popular. There are many options for creating a room that is completely diagonal or using a herringbone, chevron, or chevron installation to spice up a traditional tile.

Vinyl

This is the most sought-after flooring option, and it’s not slowing down for 2021. Many people searching for kitchen flooring are unaware of modern vinyl flooring. This isn’t the sheet vinyl your grandparents used to have. It’s not mom’s linoleum.

Today’s vinyl flooring is primarily a commercial product. It can be found in tiles or planks. The most popular varieties of vinyl are LVT and LVP. These are “Luxury Vinyl Tile”, and “Luxury Vinyl Plank”. You can get good vinyl in either a plank or tile. The most important vinyl acronym is WPC (or SPC) which refers to vinyl.

WPC and SPC are the cores of vinyl flooring. WPC is made from wood and polymers for strength and stability. SPC vinyl uses a stone/plastic composite core. This core is mainly composed of stone dust, stabilizers, and PVC to strengthen and reinforce the tile. Both have a cork or foam backing that softens the floor and makes it sound less harsh. These floors are distinguished by their vinyl layer, which is where they get their name. It displays a wide variety of patterns and colors and is topped with a wear layer to protect against spills and scrapes.

Both vinyl types can be installed “floating” above the subfloor. Vinyl is a great choice for bathrooms and kitchens. They can also be installed in basements if there is a basement kitchen. Let’s face it, if you have one, that’s great!

Vinyl flooring can be a little softer than other options, such as ceramic tiles. Vinyl flooring is still durable and tough. The most popular vinyl look for 2021 is the wood look. Vinyl that mimics solid hardwoods is driving the vinyl market. It offers customers the appearance of wood with a soft underfoot and is extremely durable.

For 2021, vinyl flooring will continue to be lighter in color and finish. You will see whitewashing and “blonde coloring” on vinyl flooring with a wood look and gray on vinyl flooring with a stone look. Vinyl is available in an almost endless array of colors and patterns, including interesting “finish” patterns like wire. Vinyl can be installed in the same patterns as hardwood. Look for chevron or herringbone patterns and then choose a pattern to give your home a unique look.

Stain Concrete

Stain concrete is the best option for kitchen flooring. Concrete can be customized to look modern or traditional and is very durable. It can also be sealed to make it completely waterproof. Concrete absorbs most liquids so can give it a clean, contemporary look. Almost all homes today have concrete subflooring. To properly prepare the surface for staining, however, you will need to hire professionals like The Good Guys.

Concrete floors may be stained to look more like wood, stone, or even tiles. There are ways to make it less slippery after it is finished. Mats in the kitchen are a great idea if there is excessive moisture.

As we have seen with other flooring products, look for lighter finishes. There are no tiles that you have to install or arrange. The unique look comes from the finish, which includes the color and patterns.

Stented concrete is a great option for kitchen flooring and can be one of the most affordable options for 2021. You want it to look like marble You can have it look like marble! You can have traditional or hardwood-style ceramic tiles. It’s possible!

You can see that 2021 will be a great year for flooring. Contact The Good Guys to learn more about how you can bring some excitement into your home by choosing the right type of flooring.