Tile Vs. Hardwood In A Kitchen Setting
The kitchen usually needs to be remodeled before most other rooms in your home. The truth is, kitchens usually experience more foot traffic on a daily basis. As a result, many of the components start to wear down quite quickly. For instance, the flooring in your kitchen will probably look at a little more aged than the flooring in the living room. Updating your kitchen flooring is definitely a worthwhile investment. This article discusses the main differences between tile and hardwood in a kitchen.
Tile Flooring in a Kitchen
Tile is very popular and commonly used in kitchens, from the floors to the countertops. In fact, you can create a coordinated style with your kitchen floor and your countertop that creates a cohesive look. Stone tile is a very durable product that is also well liked because of it's natural style. When it comes to tile, there are really no style restrictions. You can mix and match different colors to create colorful and vibrant kitchens.
If you choose tile, you should be familiar with the necessary maintenance. Although stone tile is very durable, if it is not properly maintained, it will deteriorate, fade, and you could have mold issues. All the moisture in a kitchen can cause serious problems with tile, especially the grout. If the grout gets corrupted, the tile could become loose and the repairs might be costly.
You usually need to reseal your stone tile every few years to prevent water damage to the grout. If you choose a porous, stone tile, it will need to be sealed about once a year. Ceramic and porcelain tiles don't need to be sealed as often, but the grout lines still need constant maintenance. Otherwise, they can get moldy and grimy from all the food and cooking grease.
Hardwood Flooring in Kitchens
Hardwood is similar to tile when it comes to usage in a kitchen. That is, it is a durable and stylish product, but it does need to be properly tended to. Like tile, hardwood needs to be sealed and protected from moisture. Of course, not all hardwood floors are the same. Some hardwood products are coated with a thick, fully waterproof finish. These are the best for kitchen remodeling.
Many people love hardwood because it can be drastically changed without actually changing the flooring material. That is, you can sand off the old stain and apply a new color to make your floor look completely different.