The best flooring for kitchens, according to experts

For most homes, the best flooring for a kitchen is either porcelain tile or luxury vinyl plank (LVP)/luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring.

Tile will stand up well to constant foot traffic, adds natural beauty to your space, lasts decades and is easy to clean. Vinyl generally requires less maintenance, is more affordable and stands up just as well to water, humidity and spills.

“Porcelain tile [is best] for most kitchens [because of the] longevity,” says Michael Winn, founder and principal of WINN Design + Build, an architecture, design and building firm based in Virginia. “The floor is the only finish in your kitchen you can’t change your mind about [because it] runs under the cabinets. Replacing it means tearing out the kitchen you just paid for.”

Expert opinions vary, though, because every homeowner needs something unique. “I often recommend LVP or LVT to my clients,” says Tim Oswald, Owner of Floor Coverings International of Coastal Rhode Island. “[But] it depends on how you live in your home. Your kitchen floor needs to work for your lifestyle first, and your style second.”

Tile and LVP aren’t right flooring for every kitchen, so you should compare other materials to see which is…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/