• A kitchen floor serves many purposes: it is functional, yet it can also tie the look and style of your kitchen together. Whether you like the rustic look or prefer a streamlined contemporary look, there many kitchen flooring options.
  
  

Vinyl and Linoleum

• Vinyl or linoleum flooring is inexpensive, easy to maintain and relatively easy for the do-it-yourselfer to install. This type of floor is available in sheets or tiles and is glued to the subfloor. Many varieties of vinyl tile come with self stick backing, eliminating the need for additional glue. Linoleum and vinyl can be installed over other flooring, or directly to the subfloor. There is a wide range of quality and durability; some newer versions have 30- to 40-year or lifetime warranties. Although large strides have been made in quality, this type of flooring is not as durable or long-lasting as wood or tile. It is more easily damaged and stains can be difficult to remove. Specialty cleaners and waxes can keep the floor surface looking glossy.
  
  

Wood and Laminate

• Wood and laminate can add a warm, natural look to a kitchen. Care must be taken during installation, and in ongoing use, to keep moisture away from a wood or laminate floor as much as possible. Standing liquids can damage both. Laminate is less durable than wood because it is simply layers of wood products, a photo of wood, and a laminate material pressed together using glue. While both laminate and wood swell when exposed to moisture, wood generally recovers while the glue in laminates can dissolve and cause both cosmetic and structural problems. Installation is a little more difficult than linoleum. Most modern wood and laminate products are installed using tongue and groove technology. They can be glued, float without being attached or nailed to the subfloor. A chop saw or other cutting tool is needed to cut boards to length. If your kitchen is extremely angular, instalationl can be tricky but still doable for the average do-it-yourselfer.
  
  

Tile

• Tile is extremely durable and water resistant, making it a good choice for a kitchen. It comes in many colors and materials. Popular types of tiles are porcelain, ceramic and granite. The type and color of tile can add rustic warmth or contemporary sophistication to your kitchen. Tile installation has more steps and requires more tools to install, but the process is not extraordinarily difficult. Cleaning this type of floor is accomplished with a damp mop, and perhaps a little disinfecting cleanser. Tile is not easily damaged by moisture, but the grout can become stained if not properly sealed. Tile may crack, and it can be challenging to replace one or two damaged tiles. However, this type of damage usually only occurs when something is dropped on it.