As professional real estate agents everywhere have known since they began selling homes, the kitchen is the first place the would be buyer visits when they come to see a house for sale. Since the kitchen has such an effect on the impression a house will make, the kitchen is the safest and most profitable place to invest your home improvement budget. Even if you are not planning on selling your home in the near future, if you want to make a wise renovation investment, the kitchen is the room in the home with the highest level of return as far as improvement to the living conditions and value are concerned.
The floor of the kitchen speaks volumes about the quality of the rest of the home. A kitchen floor with a modern look will inestimably increase the value of even an older residence. When it comes to kitchen floors, the material used can make or break the surface. A carpeted kitchen is a good sign for buyers as it sinks the value of the entire home enormously and yet it can easily be remedied by simply ripping it out to reveal whatever lies underneath. Fortunately, carpeted kitchens are very uncommon. Usually, tile is the preferred surface, but wood, paneled, and artificial surfaces are also used.
Ceramic tiles are the best floor material for the kitchen. Tiles are relatively easy to clean if there is a spill, but they still have a pleasant look and leave lots of room for the amateur interior designer in any home owner. As far as installation is concerned, tiling is perhaps the best flooring project for the do it yourself renovator, as grouting and tile spacing is easy to understand and, with a little practice, is just a matter of repeating a process and following a pre measured plan.
Hardwood floor kitchens are equally popular with tiled kitchen floors, but they are harder to install. If the house if not built with a finished hardwood surface floor already, the cost of installing hardwood where it was not before can be an expensive contrast to the rest of the living space. If cost is no option, then a hardwood kitchen floor should be extended to include an eating space, and, if feasible given the nature of the home’s layout, the foyer and coat room. Wood tiled floors are also common in kitchens, but not as expensive or valuable as long paneled hardwood floors.
Artificial surfaces, such as linoleum or even artificial wood panels usually are not preferred by home owners and buyers alike. However, as a less expensive alternative to hardwood floor or professionally installed tile, an artificial floor can be an improvement if the previous floor was a real eye sore or totally inappropriate.
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