Friday, March 12, 2010

Choose the Perfect Kitchen Flooring Ideas For You

Choose the Perfect Kitchen Flooring Ideas For You


If your kitchen floor has seen better days, it may be time to replace it. It's a really easy way to do a kitchen makeover, too, since your kitchen floor materials can come from just about anything. However, think about what you do in your kitchen before you choose. There are lots of options out there, so take some time and make sure you get what's right for you.

When you're researching kitchen floor ideas, the first thing to keep in mind is its durability. Your kitchen floor probably takes a lot of abuse, from dropped pots and pans, knives and dishes to lots of foot traffic. It should be easy to clean and it should resist stains. Let's face it; you probably drop at least some food on your floor, too. The kitchen is really "the heart of the home" for many people and makes a statement about the family itself. Kitchen flooring ideas abound, and you can find something that's just right for you. To help with your research, here are some common categories you can look at to choose your kitchen flooring.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles come in a number of materials, including brick paviours, quarry tiles, and ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are made usually of clay and other materials that are natural, like mineral materials. These tiles are made stronger when they undergo extreme heat. Ceramic tile flooring can come in a number of textures, colors, and designs. What tile is going to fit your kitchen best?

Ceramic tiles are porous, so they'll need to be sealed or glazed. This makes the surface hard. Ceramic tile that has been highly glazed is great for any kitchen floor. These tiles are strong enough to outlast most of the flooring types on the market, and they're also very durable, as long as they are installed properly and maintained right. They resist scratching, and are also resistant to waterlogging or fire. Cleaning just requires light mopping and sweeping. Dust mites don't like them, so they are great if you have allergies as long as you also utilize adhesive, grout and seal it.

Wood floors

Wood floors are among the oldest of the flooring types and are great because they enhance any space, adding more than beauty, as well as style. There are more than 50 types of wood kitchen flooring available today, and each differs in grain, strength and color. This will allow you to personalize your kitchen with the design and color of your flooring, such that you can make your kitchen look completely new.

Kitchen floors made of wood can last for a very long time if they are taken care of and maintained. Today's wood floors are usually treated with fire retardant materials so that fire is prevented. Today, they're also somewhat protected against water damage, as well as from traffic dirt and stains. However, don't let water stand for long periods of time on the floor, because the wood itself may cup or crack.

Wood floors come in many varieties, and also come in varying levels of strength. For maintenance, wood floors should just need to be swept or vacuumed, with dry mopping another way you can keep it in good condition.

Natural stone

Natural stone kitchen flooring, for lack of a better word, "rocks." It can give your kitchen a luxurious look and feel and is also a way to make your kitchen timeless and beautiful. Common kitchen flooring materials of stone include marble, limestone, slate, granite, travertine and many other types.

Natural stone kitchen floor is great for your kitchen if it doesn't get a lot of high-traffic. These types of specialized stone are not inexpensive and may require a little bit more maintenance than typical ceramic tiles, for example. Generally, these types of stone flooring materials are called "luxury" materials. They have several different characteristics that make them stand out.

Limestone may be a dubious material to choose, because it can stain easily and is relatively soft. However, done right, it can make your kitchen look fantastic. The marble from limestone is created because the limestone is exposed to great heat, and these tiles are then usually sealed. Even though they are sealed, though, they can usually stain pretty easily. They're smooth and can be slippery when wet, so ask about slip resistant additions, too. Granite is porous because it is a volcanic rock that has been taken from deep beneath the earth. These tiles are durable, but don't resist staining very readily. Limestone is relatively soft and may stain very easily. If these materials do become stained, only professionals can remove the stains.

Of these choices, slate is probably the best. Slate is nonporous and it's quite resistant to stain. It also minimizes slipping even when wet, and can make a durable kitchen floor material. Travertine, too, is durable, resists both acids and bases, and comes in a variety of beautiful natural stone colors.

Mike Boysen is the primary chef in his home and has developed a keen interest in anything related to cooking. Read more about kitchen-flooring-ideas at http://www.best-kitchen-ideas.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Boysen

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