The Right Flooring Matters In Your Fairfax Kitchen Remodel.
There are so many elements to consider during a Fairfax kitchen remodel that sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Our blogs are your resource for accessing helpful information, tips and ideas to make the process easier. One option isn’t necessarily better than the other when it comes to flooring. It’s a preference for how you use your kitchen and your family’s impact on the surfaces. Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of wood versus tile flooring.
- Tile
Tile is a classic flooring for areas that get heavy use, so it’s been a kitchen design mainstay for centuries. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but here are some pros and cons to consider:
- The Pros:
Water-Resistant: Tile won’t warp, making it a great option in areas with moisture and high humidity.
Slip-Resistant: Textured tile flooring is great for minimizing slips and falls–even if there’s water or grease on the floor.
Endless Styles: There are so many tile designs, shapes and different ways to install them that they can coordinate with any kitchen. Plus, they look great in wood-toned kitchens because they offer a nice contrast.
- The Cons:
Cold: Tile can be cold on bare feet, which is fantastic in the summer, but uncomfortable in the winter. You can always add radiant heat under the flooring if the temperature is of concern.
Hard: Standing on a tile floor can be rough on your back. Consider adding a cushioned mat under where you do most of your chopping. That hard surface also makes it easy to break glass bottles, jars, etc. If you’ve got a full fridge and a bottle of pickles hit the tile, you’ll be cleaning up pickle juice and glass the rest of the day.
Stains: Depending on the type of tile you choose, the surface should be stain-resistant (unless it’s marble). The grout lines, however, can be a place spills seep in and stick around. Grout durability has improved, but you better start scrubbing if you spill red wine.
- Wood
Wood flooring adds classic, timeless style to your kitchen and can be stained in so many different finishes that it coordinates with almost any cabinetry color you choose. Here are some pros and cons:
- The Pros:
Streamlined Design: It’s aesthetically appealing to have one type of flooring on one floor of a house. If you have hardwood flooring in an adjoining dining room or living room, continuing that same flooring makes a space look and feel bigger.
Long-Lasting: When properly maintained, hardwood flooring can last for decades. Plus, it can be stripped and restained at a fraction of the replacement cost.
Versatile: You can install hardwood flooring in so many different ways–think of geometric parquet shapes, chevron or herringbone patterns.
- The Cons:
Warping: Unlike tile, hardwood flooring is sensitive to moisture and water. If your dishwasher leaks, your flooring can definitely warp or buckle. It can also lose some of its finish if water stands on the surface too long.
Price: Hardwood flooring typically costs more than most types of tile. Your budget will often increase if you choose it over tile.
Maintenance: While it’s undoubtedly beneficial that you can sand and refinish hardwood flooring–it’s also a lot of work and not especially cheap to do. Some manufacturers recommend you strip and refinish your flooring every ten years.
Are you ready to choose the flooring for your Fairfax kitchen remodel?
