Choosing the ideal flooring for your kitchen is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your home. Although it costs only slightly more than hardwood, solid-cement kitchen flooring possesses a unique environmental benefit: sustainable manufacturing. The manufacturing process of solid-cement flooring reduces the amount of waste material, making it a more eco-friendly option.
Solid-cement flooring requires less maintenance than wood-based options. Cork trees typically take eight to nine years to fully regenerate, whereas other woods may take as long as 30 years. Even with minimal care, solid-cement flooring will not decay over time, so they will be safe and maintenance-free for years to come. Furthermore, the process of converting natural fibers into durable solids involves a high level of skill, requiring only a tiny amount of knowledge to accomplish the job.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, solid-cement floors are a stylish choice. With a wide array of colors, textures, and finishes, they can complement almost any decorating style. You can add a dash of color by covering solid-cement with laminate or tile, making your kitchen the talk of the block party.
One of the biggest challenges you will face when choosing the right kitchen floor is how to properly install it. Because solid-cement is not a natural flooring option, you must first remove the existing hardwood flooring. Then you must apply a special adhesive that will attach the new flooring to your floor. The most common methods of installation are nail-on and tongue-and-groove.
Installing a new floor surface in your kitchen is usually an inexpensive project. To save money, you may want to choose a ready-made subfloor that you can install yourself. The downside to this approach is that your floor will look like new if you do not properly seal the floor beneath your subfloor to keep moisture out.
If you decide to do the installation yourself, you will still save money compared to having a professional flooring contractor come in for a complete kitchen remodel. However, it is important to have a few handy tools on hand at all times in order to perform the tasks required for a successful installation. These include a level, measuring tape, saw, a level line, screwdriver, paintbrushes, hammer, nails, chalk, and a level to give the best results.
It is not uncommon for homeowners who are intimidated by their lack of experience in this area to choose to install their own flooring. However, it is best to hire a professional if you do not have this level of skill.
You will want to choose your kitchen floor carefully, just as you would the rest of your home. If you want your floor to look as great as possible, consider using solid-cement as the flooring material. This beautiful and durable choice will make any room in your home shine.