Thursday, February 5, 2009

Which Kitchen Floor is Right for Your Home?

Which Kitchen Floor is Right for Your Home?

Author: bloom media

Which Kitchen Floor is Right for Your Home?


A low maintenance floor can cut down the time you spend cleaning your home and make your property more hygienic. Having a stunning floor can also update the look of your home and potentially increase the value of your property if you’re looking to sell. There are many options when it comes to replacing the flooring in the key rooms of your home so check out some popular choices below.


Laminate


Laminate floors are a popular choice as they are affordable, easy to fit and easy to clean. Just because laminate tends to be a cheaper option, it doesn’t mean it’s any less stylish as it can come in hardwood or stone designs to give the illusion of much more expensive flooring. Laminate is also very easy to maintain as spillages won’t permanently damage the surface and cleaning is easy with warm soapy water. A downside of laminate is that after extended use the whole floor has to be replaced and can’t just be retreated as natural stone or wood flooring can.


Natural stone


Any room can look super stylish and luxurious with natural stone flooring. The most popular choices are slate, granite and quartz which can all bring a room right up to date. However, natural stone flooring is expensive and it’s not particularly suitable if you find your home hard to heat as it can often be cold underfoot. In terms of investment, natural stone flooring can last for decades with very little maintenance. If chips or scratches do occur in the flooring it’s wise to get a professional in to reseal the surface to avoid any further damage.


Vinyl


Vinyl is a similar surface to laminate but offers a more cushioned feel and can bounce back into shape. As with laminate, vinyl is very easy to install and can be cut into shape from a sheet or tiles which can be installed to fit any size floor. Vinyl flooring is made up of four separate layers making it very sturdy and hard wearing, especially as the top layer is a clear film designed to protect the surface underneath. There are plenty of colours and patterns available which means this type of flooring is suitable for a wide range of kitchens.


Natural wood


Although wood effect flooring is common, you can choose to go all out and install some genuine natural wood for the floors in your home. As with natural stone, this type of flooring can be expensive and to be fitted properly everything will need to be removed from the room so it’s not a great choice if you want a quick solution for your floors. Oak and maple are a popular choice for floors and give a deep brown look which is versatile enough to complement both a traditional or contemporary home. Wood can stain easily and warp in damp conditions such as in kitchens or bathrooms so it’s important to get the surface treated properly as soon as it’s installed. Annual waxing is also recommended to keep the floors protected and looking great.


Whatever choice of flooring you go for, make sure you consult the experts before you buy so you can be sure the surface is right for your home.

About the Author:

Steven Holmes

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/which-kitchen-floor-is-right-for-your-home-758342.html

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