When Do I Need New Floor Tile or Flooring?

If you are getting ready to do some type of remodel — especially one in the kitchen — the option of floor tile or flooring may be one of the first things to discuss. But, how do you know if you need new floor tile? How do you know what materials will work best?

While a remodeling services company will be able to help you better understand which materials will fit best for functionality and appeal, knowing beforehand will give you the time to weigh all options before making the final decision.

5 Great Options for New Flooring

Hardwood 

We all know hardwoods have the allure of classic and timeless. While this type of flooring is a more expensive option, they up the style to any kitchen. You’ll also want to make sure your hardwood is properly sealed to protect it from water, and that it can withstand a ton of foot traffic.

Oak and maple are affordable, durable hardwood flooring options for the kitchen and are considered hardwoods. Softwoods are considered cedar, pine, and spruce.  While also nice, know that softwoods are not as durable as hardwoods.

Linoleum 

Linoleum may be making a comeback! It has recently become popular again due to its eco-friendly manufacturing materials: solidified linseed oil, pine resin, cork dust, wood flour, and natural mineral fillers. 

Linoleum comes in sheets, tiles and planks (or panels) – and is actually incredibly durable and easy to clean. Believe it or not, linoleum has naturally antibacterial properties, making it a great option for the budget-conscious and also anti-germ lovers.

While linoleum is very durable, choose a style with a varied color pattern for your kitchen flooring to hide flaws more effectively than solid colors.

Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of the noise linoleum makes when walked on, a cork-backed floating linoleum plank can be used to soften sounds while passing over.

Tile 

Want something that can handle the mess? Porcelain or ceramic tile is a solid, stylish, and sturdy flooring option for almost any kitchen.

Did you know that tile durability is often classed using the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) abrasion test? There are 5 groups of tile, and the higher the number, the higher the tile’s durability. For kitchen flooring, be sure to choose a tile that is either PEI-3 or PEI 4-rated. PEI 5-rated tile is the hardest, but typically only found for industrial uses.

Vinyl 

What’s not to love about vinyl. It is affordable to buy and less labor-intensive for a flooring expert to install. Not to mention, it is fairly durable and is 100% waterproof, making it ideal for kitchens which are prone to take the brunt of spills.

Vinyl is a resilient flooring type, which means it is softer than non-resilient types like hardwood or tile which can be porous. Because of this, you’ll want to choose a rigid core vinyl for your kitchen flooring. Rigid core vinyl has a sturdy, firm center that will stand up to heavy wear and tear over the years, and will maintain it’s good looks.

Laminate 

Laminate is very similar to vinyl in look, price, and installation type, and both are installed usually via click-lock planks. Laminate is similarly durable against foot traffic, and though vinyl is 100% waterproof, laminate is water-resistant enough to withstand spills in the kitchen, making it a great option. And like vinyl, laminate can even mimic the look of real hardwood with its photo-realistic top layers. 

While most laminates are fairly similar, know that when it comes to installing it, you can choose to use a premium underlayment to provide a sound barrier between floors. This will make your laminate sound more like hardwood when walked on. 

Work with a Floor Installation Expert Today!

Handyman Connection of Hamilton is here to help install your flooring. Whether you choose new tile or flooring for a kitchen remodel or total room makeover, we are your go-to crew. Give us a call or send us a text for an estimate!