Hard Flooring

The options for hard flooring consist of tile, natural stone, terrazzo, concrete and brick. As a group they are versatile and will complement any style of kitchen. They are durable and long lasting, but can be cold to the touch. If this is a concern, the use of rugs and/or radiant heat (under the flooring) is an alternative to reduce this condition (See Radiant Flooring). The common advantages and disadvantages are listed below.

Materials

Tile - clay or porcelain
· handmade or manmade
· glazed or unglazed
· multiple sized and shaped tiles

Natural Stone - Granite, Marble, Tumbled Marble, Sandstone, Limestone, Slate
· polished, matte finish or honed
· available in flagstone, slabs, and multiple sized tiles

Terrazzo - aggregate of marble and/or granite chips, stones, or glass mixed into concrete
· tiles, slabs, or poured floor Concrete - blend of cement, aggregate and sand
· tiles, slabs, or poured floor
· polished or matte finish
· floor paints and colored pigments available hard finished with coats of epoxy or acrylic resins

Brick - manmade of clay for indoor use
· available in flooring bricks and pavers (3/4" - 2" thick)
· standard bricks are not recommended for flooring use due to erosion and pitting
· polish, linseed oil and sealants may make floors slick

Advantages
· durable and hard-wearing--can last for generations with proper care
· versatile to complement any style
· neutral background or stylized motifs
· wide range of colors, patterns, and textures
· waterproof if glazed or sealed
· low maintenance

Disadvantages
· cold (but can install radiant heating underneath to counteract)
· noisy
· high glazed materials are slippery when wet
· surface is hard on back and legs, mats and carpets may reduce stress
· dropped brittle items usually break
· cracks and chips are not easily repaired
· unglazed materials may stain
· unglazed materials and grouting require constant sealing

Costs
$ varied prices (low to extremely high depending upon the material, thickness, and finish.
$ while some DIY'ers can tackle this project, installation is better left to the pros.
$ make sure your subfloor is sound
$ a reinforced or concrete subfloor may be required to support the weight of the flooring material
$ budget for professional installation

ADDITIONAL READING
Setting Tile, by Michael Byrne. Also available are companion videos on tiling countertops, and floors.

WarmlyYours.com Electric floor heating is the solution if you prefer a toasty warm floor rather than a cold tile or wood surface.