|
|
San Diego real estate library
San Diego Real Estate - Kitchen Remodeling Ideas and Floors
It is easy to be excited when shopping for kitchen flooring
after we have gone through hundreds of home interior design
magazines but it is not desirable to choose a material based on
looks alone. Narrow the choices to a few of your favorites and
then take a trip to a flooring store or home center for a test
drive.
We do most activity in the kitchen while we are standing so it
is wise to look for something that is easy on the legs. While
shopping take your shoes off and stand on the floor in your bare
feet and see how it feels. Is the floor comfortable or too hard
under your feet? Put your shoes back on and go for a walk and
see how the floor sounds on the noise level. Today's kitchens
are more open than ever attaching to the den or even opening up
to the great room. The noise from shoes can create problems
while others are talking or watching TV. Remember too that the
kitchen is typically the busiest spot in the house so you want a
floor that wears well too. With the kids and the animals it
doesn't take long to wear the floor down, not to mention all the
foot traffic and spills. Durability is important in today's full
families and ease of maintenance should be taken into
consideration too.
These are different floorings to be considered:
Wood fits an assortment of decor styles and is warm underfoot,
easy on the legs and is essentially, a quiet floor option. The
maintenance and durability of a wood floor depend greatly on
what species of wood is being used and how that wood is
finished. One of the worries with wood is that it may be
scratched, but wood floors can always be sanded and refinished.
For homeowners who want an exceptionally durable floor and
requires little maintenance, laminate is a great option.
Laminate is factory-finished and can be easily installed over an
existing floor making installation a breeze. While laminate has
its advantages, it lacks the warmth and character typically
associated with natural wood and some may find it noisy.
Ceramic tile allows for a great deal of artistry in terms of
colors and patterns. Though tile is easy to clean with a damp
mop, the surrounding grout can be difficult to maintain and keep
clean. Ceramic tile can be very hard on the legs not to mention
dropped dishes. It doesn't help with sound control in the
kitchen and can be quite cold underfoot.
If you are on a smaller budget then vinyl sheeting or peel and
stick tiles are for you. Vinyl is easy to install and is
available in an endless array of colors and patterns. One of the
drawbacks to vinyl floors is that the edges can curl and peel.
Linoleum flooring is making a comeback due to its green appeal.
Consisting of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins,
ground limestone and pigments, this kitchen flooring is
environmentally friendly. There are other green options that are
environmentally friendly but of course there are advantages and
disadvantages to each type of flooring. The key is to go with
your own kitchen flooring ideas and in the long run your floor
will reflect your taste and fit with your lifestyle.
San Diego real estate library |
 |
