If you're building a home or remodeling a kitchen, you have a wide range of flooring options to consider. Tile flooring, vinyl, hardwood, and laminate all have different strengths and weaknesses, and each one is best suited for different sets of needs. Here's what you need to think about to make the best choice for your home.

Questions to Ask

First, think about who lives in your home. Do you have children and pets? Because kids and animals tend to cause more spills in the kitchen, you'll be cleaning the floor more often than otherwise. As a consequence, choose a material that's easy to care for and is scratch- and stain-resistant.

On the other hand, if you want an upscale look, you might be willing to sacrifice ease of maintenance for elegance. Finally, think about the decor of your kitchen. Wood, laminate, vinyl, and tile flooring each have a distinctive look and are available in a range of styles and colors.

Options to Weigh

Tile

Tile flooring includes ceramic and natural stone tiles. Tiles come in a wide range of colors, textures, shapes, sizes, and finishes. You can mix and match tiles to achieve a custom look, making tile an extremely versatile flooring option in terms of style. The grout between the tiles may take a little extra cleaning, but you won't have to worry about water damage.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is easy to clean and completely waterproof. Color and pattern choice are almost unlimited, and vinyl is budget-friendly.

Hardwood

Hardwood, which produces a classic look and an upmarket image, will raise the value of your home. You need to be careful with hardwood in a kitchen, however, because it can wear and warp when exposed to water. Once in place, damaged hardwood can be resurfaced if necessary, and single boards can be replaced if they show signs of wear.

Laminate

Laminate imitates hardwood but is easier to install and maintain. It's also cheaper than wood. If you love the look of wood but require an economical solution, consider laminate.

If you need wood, laminate, vinyl, or tile flooring for your kitchen, choose Accent Flooring in Cincinnati, OH. Serving residents across Hamilton County, this family-owned and -operated company offers free estimates and in-home consultations as well as financing options. To get started, visit their website for ceramic tile buying tips, or call (513) 481-8600 to speak with the staff.