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THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION
SEPTEMBER 2013
41
South Finley Avenue
Basking Ridge, NJ
(908) 766-2006
www.trueleafkitchens.com
Kitchen flooring is a vital element in the
design of a kitchen. It needs to complement
the space as well as meet the demands of the
cooks. Materials vary in comfort, warmth,
maintenance and durability. The TrueLeaf
kitchens experts detail the pros and cons to
help you make your choice.
WOOD
As the “great room” encompassing both
kitchen and living area has grown in popular-
ity so have wood floors. They provide a warm
feel and seamless transition between areas.
Pros
•
Wood flooring is available in many varieties
to complement your kitchen style
•
Softer underfoot than some other materi-
als, wood makes standing for long periods
easier and are more forgiving on dropped
glassware or dishes
Cons
•
Furniture, appliances and even dog claws
can cause scratches
•
If not properly sealed, floors can stain and
get water damage
STONE AND CERAMIC TILE
Pros
•
Tile is water resistant, extremely durable
and comes in a wide variety of colors and
materials
•
Both ceramic and stone tiles will accommo-
date radiant heating installation
Cons
•
Tile, particularly ceramic, can be less com-
fortable for long periods of standing and
dropped dishes or glasses will shatter
•
Grout lines between tiles can be hard to
keep clean
BAMBOO AND CORK
Pros
•
Cork and bamboo are environmentally
friendly choices
•
Both can be stained to complement cabi-
nets or countertops
•
Cork is remarkably soft underfoot, is kind
to dropped items and resists dings because
of its resiliency
•
Bamboo has natural antimicrobial qualities
•
Cork is resistant to mold and mildew
Cons
•
Furniture, pets and even high heel shoes
may cause scuffs on bamboo floors and
heavy items can permanently dent floors
•
The color of floors can fade if exposed to
excessive sunlight
Other unique options:
TILE PLANKS -
Get a planked
floor look and the
durability of tile
with tile shaped
like planks of
wood. It is avail-
able in an interest-
ing choice of col-
ors and textures
that are a little
more fun to
design with than
the real thing. Installation will cost more than
regular tile because it is very time-consuming
to install properly.
CONCRETE -
Most kitchen floors have a layer
of concrete below the flooring and some now
feature it instead of covering it up. Concrete
floors can help keep a kitchen cool in the
summer, are ideal for radiant heat, and are
very easy to clean. Different looks can be
achieved with acid stains.
BRICK -
Providing
a very traditional
feel to a kitchen,
brick offers the
durability and feel
of tile with a
unique appeal.
Thin brick tiles
called pavers are
used to create
patterns
and
designs. Probably the most appealing thing
about this material is that it shows very little
dirt.
Whatever style you choose for your kitchen
remodel, there is a flooring option to comple-
ment it and provide the features you want.
Talk with TrueLeaf Kitchen’s experts and they
can help you select a floor you will want to
walk all over. Visit the TrueLeaf Kitchens
showroom in downtown Basking Ridge or
their web site at www.trueleafkitchens.com.
WHICH FLOOR IS RIGHT FOR YOUR KITCHEN?
Submitted By: Eileen Barna, TrueLeaf Kitchens
Tile Planks
Brick
www.theconnectionsnj.com
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