Flooring material makes a huge difference in the look and functionality of your kitchen. Flooring is often taken for granted, but we pay close attention to flooring because it is always in use – you walk on it, place your bags and other items on it. Not only does flooring have to be durable, perhaps more importantly, it has to be comfortable.

The best floor for your kitchen is lifestyle dependent. Seniors won’t be comfortable standing for long periods of time on hard surfaces such as stone and tile. Hardwood may not be the best option if you have young children or family members prone to spilling food and drinks or pets that don’t have the best of manners when eating or drinking from their bowls.

If tile is the option for you, we suggest porcelain because it is more durable than ceramic and it’s easy to maintain. Porcelain is virtually stain proof if installed properly. Cleaning is as easy as soap, water and a mop. For budget purposes, porcelain runs between $10 to $16 per square foot, including installation.

Ceramic tile is made from clay and like porcelain is better suited to our customers with young children and pets than a hardwood floor. The downside to ceramic is its susceptibility to chipping or breaking.

Travertine is another extremely durable option. It’s natural. The cost is generally 30% more than porcelain.

If your budget is thin, consider vinyl tile. That averages between $5 and $9 per square foot installed. With vinyl it’s easier to replace damaged tiles than ceramic or porcelain. Plus, given the low cost it generally is worthwhile to purchase a few extra tiles from the original installation. That’s good advice for any flooring material because no matter how cautious you are, there is a chance that at some point in time, something can drop on the floor that could damage it.

Hardwood is elegant, dramatic and warm. Many of our customers prefer hardwood because tile and stone feel cool and hard. The downside to hardwood in a kitchen is that excessive water can be damaging. If your icemaker, kitchen faucet or dishwasher leaks when you are not around, it could spell trouble for your hardwood floor. Similar to stone, hardwood is a natural product, and not all wood panels will be identical.

Wood grain tile flooring offers many of the benefits of hardwood but won’t be damaged by water.

A final note about flooring for you to consider with your kitchen remodel: we often recommend neutral colors. It’s easy to paint walls, ceilings and cabinets or even change a backsplash. Changing flooring is not as easy especially if after a few years in your new kitchen you want a different look. When budgeting, consider the design of the flooring material, quality of flooring materials and the condition of your existing subfloor.

If you would like to discuss the flooring options for your new kitchen, please give us a call at 781-670-3909 or visit one of our showrooms at 14 Charles Street, Needham MA or 150-E New Boston Street, Woburn MA