Picking out new flooring for a kitchen can be a very satisfying and fun experience for a homeowner. A new floor can update the entire look of a kitchen. The flooring options that are available today make it easy to make a kitchen appear fresher, newer and more spacious. However, deciding which style of flooring to add to a kitchen does take some research. It can also be a little bit stressful because the flooring you choose today is probably something that you’ll live with for a long time. Who wants to invest money in a floor only to find out that it doesn’t really work in a kitchen? You may be wondering if laminate is good for kitchen floors. If you’re in the process of replacing your existing flooring, remodeling your entire kitchen or working on new construction. The reality is that kitchen laminate flooring was actually the go-to option for many years. Find out everything you need to know about how laminate works in modern kitchens.
The Price Factor
One of the big reasons why so many people are turning to laminate flooring for kitchens is the price. There’s no denying that wood floors and tile floors have been in fashion for the past several years. However, many people find the costs of those materials to be prohibitive. What’s more, trendy wood flooring isn’t always the most durable option for the kitchen of a busy family. Laminate offers a much cheaper alternative to other options. The good news is that the laminate styles of today actually mimic the looks of wood and tile at a fraction of the cost. In fact, anyone who enters a kitchen with laminate flooring would be unlikely to detect that the floor they’re walking on is actually laminate. That’s because today’s styles of laminate are created using a sophisticated process that imprints patterns on every inch of space. That means that manufacturers can replicate the grooves, nuances, colors and textures of other materials in ways that make it almost impossible to differentiate the copy from the real thing. People who choose laminate flooring for kitchens actually have more options than people who commit to wood or tile. What’s more, choosing a rare or specialty design isn’t as expensive as it would be if you were actually having a rare style of wood flooring installed. You get the high-end look at a budget-friendly price tag.
Thinking About Durability of Laminate for Kitchen Floors
You simply can’t go wrong with laminate if durability is your focus. A kitchen is often the area of the home that sees the most usage and foot traffic. Activities like cooking, doing the dishes or working on kid-focused projects can all add some serious wear and tear to a floor. A material that looks polished and beautiful at installation may not be able to keep its luster after a few years. However, laminate keeps its appearance year after year because it is made to be so durable. The secret to laminate’s durability rests in its layers. The melamine layer of laminate flooring is capable of resisting the everyday wear and tear that occurs due to foot traffic and protecting the patterned layer from spills and debris. The multiple layers of sealing that go into a kitchen laminate flooring product also help to protect it from moisture at every level.
An Eye on Maintenance
High-maintenance floors simply aren’t for everyone. How much time do you really have to worry about keeping your floors looking shiny and new? Kitchen laminate flooring is one of the easiest flooring styles to care for. Sweeping particles of food from a laminate floor on a regular basis is really all that’s required for proper upkeep. In addition, mopping a laminate floor periodically can also help to eliminate stains and retain a polished look. Other types of flooring often require much more maintenance. Many other materials need to be polished and buffed regularly in order to stay looking new.
A Look at Kitchen Laminate Flooring Installation
People don’t just consider how easy a style of flooring is to live with when making a choice. People also need to consider how difficult the installation process is for a flooring style. How does laminate flooring rank when it comes to installation? Laminate is one of the easier flooring styles to install. This is partly due to the fact that homeowners have a lot of different options to choose from when selecting laminate flooring. Laminate can be added to a kitchen using a click-and-lock installation or a self-adhesive feature. Homeowners have the option of installing laminate flooring on their own easily. However, many still opt for professional installation to ensure a perfect look. The cost to have laminate installed is much cheaper than the costs of installation for wood and tile.
Is Laminate Good for Kitchen Floors?
Is laminate flooring a good choice for kitchens? Laminate flooring is more than a good choice. It is actually the best choice for many people. The bottom line is that laminate flooring offers homeowners the option to enjoy the latest looks in flooring at a fraction of the cost. Laminate is especially ideal for homes with small children because of the fact that it is much more spill-proof than other options. The fact that it isn’t as slippery, hard or cold as tile also makes it a very good option for households with young children.
