A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Kitchen Flooring Types for Washington, D.C. Homes
Flooring can define a kitchen’s aesthetic. Done correctly, it accents the cabinets, countertops, and appliances. Done incorrectly, however, and it creates an awkward style that doesn’t mesh with the rest of the interior.
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, take time to carefully select the right kitchen flooring style. There is an extensive selection of options at Virginia Kitchen and Bath. We’ve created a complete guide to help you understand what kitchen flooring products are available for your Washington, D.C. home, what their main functional benefits are, and what designs they complement best.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is an excellent option for a kitchen because there are so many varieties available. Every type of wood has a different color and grain, which creates a unique design.
Classic, light options like pine look good in a kitchen that is bright and open. It creates an airy and refreshing feeling in the space. These tones work well with white and stainless steel appliances. Darker woods like maple and walnut are best installed in smaller kitchens with darker appliances.
The Building America Solution Center at the Department of Energy recommends only using water-resistant flooring materials in the kitchen. So many people wonder if hardwood floors in the kitchen are a good idea because, after all, wood is vulnerable to rot. When properly sealed, however, hardwood flooring can be a perfectly fine option in a kitchen and will withstand decades of wear.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring in kitchens is a good option for budget-conscious people. It can sometimes cost half as much as true hardwood, especially with exotic materials. A main benefit of engineered flooring is a wider selection of finishes that would be hard to obtain with authentic hardwood.
A common misconception about engineered hardwood is that it’s “fake.” Engineered hardwood has a real layer of hardwood on top of the plank. The core is made of plywood or a wood blend. Once installed, it looks the same as hardwood.
Tile Flooring
Kitchen floor tile is one of the most practical and popular options. Like hardwood, it’s available in many distinct materials, which lets a homeowner truly customize their appearance.
Tile has universal style compatibility. There is a color, material, and texture that’s right for every home. Besides stylistic flexibility, tile flooring is characterized by:
- Extreme Durability: Quality tiles can handle impacts, even large ones like a dropped frying pan. Cracks are not common with premium products, and even if they do occur, a singular tile can be easily replaced.
- Waterproof: Tile and grout are exceptionally waterproof, which often makes them the best flooring for kitchens. Unlike wood flooring, you don’t have to worry about water seeping in and causing damage.
- Wear-Resistant: The kitchen is a high-traffic area. Other flooring styles can get worn down over the years, leaving behind an obvious path. Kitchen tile flooring does not have this weakness.
Laminate Flooring
Like engineered hardwood, laminate is a more affordable alternative to tile. Kitchen floors that are laminate provide the same stylistic benefits of true tile, but at a fraction of the cost. Laminate can allow you to install a higher-end style that you would not be able to purchase in tile form.
While it is not as durable as real tile, it still has a very impressive longevity. Homeowners need to be more careful of water spills with laminate, because the fiberboard material can soak up moisture over time, swell, and require replacement.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring (LVP), or in this case, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), is a great middle-ground option for homeowners. It’s more expensive than laminate, but still far cheaper than real tile. It provides many of the high-end qualities of premium flooring materials, without the drawbacks that come from laminate.
LVT is manufactured with multiple layers that make it an excellent kitchen flooring option for Washington, D.C. kitchen remodels:
- Soft Underlayer: The bottom of each LVT piece is a soft, foam layer. This improves underfoot comfort, insulates the floor, and reduces noise. Higher-end materials like stone, hardwood, and tile lack in these categories.
- Waterproof Core: The bulk of a luxury vinyl tile is a wood plastic composite (WPC) core. This provides rigidity and structure, while also being waterproof. This is a great combination for a kitchen.
- PVC Layer: This part of the flooring piece provides additional structure, flexibility, and further waterproofing.
- Print Layer: On top of the PVC layer is the print layer. This is where the design appears. LVT has beautiful styles that look more realistic than other composite flooring types.
- Wear/UV Layer: The top of the flooring has a wear layer and a UV protection layer. These prevent wear from foot traffic, sun damage, stains, and other issues.
Concrete Flooring
Concrete floors in kitchens are a bold decision, but when done tastefully, they can be an excellent choice. They are a mid to high-range choice on the pricing scale, but have many unique benefits that other flooring types do not.
Their longevity is their best attribute. A concrete kitchen floor can last longer than the home itself. Properly sealing and resealing the floor will prevent it from ever developing stains. Concrete is also very durable and less prone to cracks than tile.
Style-wise, it takes forethought. Concrete floors work best in ultra-modern kitchens that have an industrial look. In a cottage home, for example, they might look out of place. They pair best with dark appliances and minimalist countertops and cabinets.
Natural Stone Flooring
Homeowners seeking a premium, high-end flooring material should go with stone. Kitchen stone tile flooring is one of the most luxurious options, providing a certain style that is impossible to achieve with any other flooring type.
Stone kitchen flooring adds a rugged look and is best suited for homes that lean more towards farmhouse or cabin styles. It has similar benefits to tile and concrete. The main difference is the unique aesthetic.
Discover Virginia Kitchen and Bath’s Flooring Options
Washington, D.C. kitchen flooring is a very personal choice for homeowners. Every house is different with its own style, energy, and layout. When you hire our professional remodelers to renovate your home, you’ll have no shortage of options.
Whether you’re interested in saving costs with trusted laminate flooring or you’d like to commit to a stunning concrete floor installation, our experts can help. We have over 30 years of experience in Northern Virginia and take great satisfaction in delighting our customers. To us, it’s the little things that matter, and we’ll make sure that no matter what flooring option you pick, you’ll be blown away.
Stop by our Washington, D.C. showroom to get inspiration for your next project, and be sure to schedule a free, in-home estimate with us today.
