If you’ve chosen to redo your kitchen floors, the great news is, you have a ton of options to choose from. But that variety of choices can definitely prove overwhelming! Here are our recommendations for the best flooring options for kitchen remodels, with an overview of the pros and cons for each.
 
What Should I Look For in Kitchen Floors 
 
Before we dive into the numerous options of floors for kitchens, it may be helpful to understand some of the key consideration factors for your kitchen remodel, as well as mistakes to avoid.
 
Water-Resistant or Waterproof
 
Considering that a lot of cooking, cleaning and general messiness happens in the kitchen, water-resistance or, even better, waterproofing is a key consideration in weighing your floor options. “Water-resistant” on the label is essential, otherwise you’ll spend just as much time wiping liquids off your kitchen floor as you will actually using it. If you want to go a step further and you’re going to invest in a room with waterproof floors, the kitchen (or bathroom) is a good place to do it.
 
Durable
 
Kitchens are full of appliances, pots, pans, cookware, and lots of other heavy items. Investing in a floor that’s durable and will withstand moderate drops and cookware tumbles is necessary. For this reason, it’s better to opt for an extremely durable floor, that is more resistant to scrapes, scuffs, and gouges from dropped kitchen materials.
 
Comfort
 
For many of the same reasons as listed above, choosing a floor that’s slightly softer may save the lives of many plates and coffee mugs that may suffer an unfortunate slip. If you opt for an extremely hard floor, you’re likely to see more kitchen casualties.
 
Safety
 
By nature, your kitchen will see a lot of movement. Combine moving bodies with a pretense for spills and liquid on the floor and counters, and kitchens present a potentially unsafe situation. Doing your research on your new kitchen floor safety factor (such as slickness) will help create a safer space.
 
Style
 
Take it from HGTV and choose floors that complement your kitchen, whether it’s rustic and country-style or cutting-edge contemporary. “Consider the kitchen’s size, as well as existing colors, textures, and patterns. Should the large surface underfoot serve as a neutral backdrop or a vivid focal point?”
 
Popular Types of Kitchen Floors
 
Below we’ll review some of the most popular types of kitchen floors, as well as reasons to choose or not choose each one.
 
 Engineered Wood Floors
 
A kitchen floor trend that has grown in popularity in recent years in engineered hardwood. Here’s everything you need to know about this flooring option for kitchens.
 
What is Engineered Hardwood?
 
Engineered hardwood is a variation of true hardwood, but only the top and bottom layers of the material consist of real wood. The inner layers are made of plywood, high-density fiberboard or, sometimes, actual hardwood. The top layer is usually hardwood veneer, but can also be composed of true hardwood.
 
Engineered Hardwood Benefits
 
Engineered hardwood is especially good at handling moisture and dampness, which is why it’s very common for below-grade installations, like basements. It is very stable and versatile, especially compared to softer options, like laminate flooring.
 
In addition, engineered hardwood has the advantage of being easy to maintain, as well as a more affordable flooring choice. Since engineered hardwood flooring requires only a thin slice of the desired wood as the top layer, the cost is less than solid hardwood, but looks virtually the same.
 
Engineered Hardwood Drawbacks
 
While engineered hardwood is cheaper than solid hardwood, it’s not cheaper than laminate or carpet, so it’s not the most affordable kitchen flooring option out there. In addition, you have to be extra careful with your brand selection – some veneers are poorly made and can prematurely warp or fade. Furthermore, some manufacturers try to cut corners by using fiberboard, which could compromise the stability of your floor.
 
Tile Floors
 
Perhaps one of the most classic trends for kitchen floors, and one of the most long-standing options is tile floors. Here’s why this option typically ranks among the best flooring for kitchen remodels.
 
What Are Tile Floors?
 
Tile flooring is a natural choice for kitchens because it’s durable, water-resistant, and easily keeps stains at bay. Plus, there are so many options within the tile flooring world that it’s incredibly easy to find the exact look you desire for your kitchen.
 
Types of Tile Flooring
 
Kitchen floor tile comes in three types: porcelain, ceramic and stone. Prices of each type run the gamut, from $2 to $100 per square foot.
 
Porcelain tile carries the added benefit of being “certified” as porcelain. It also has an incredibly low water absorption rate. It is one of the most durable tile options because “porcelain clays are denser and thus less porous than ceramic clays,” which makes porcelain tile harder and more impervious to moisture than ceramic tile. Ceramic tile floors are slightly softer than porcelain, and also tends to be a slightly cheaper option.
 
Natural stone tile is produced from natural materials that are quarried, slabbed, finished, and cut to size. Common types of stone used as flooring tile include granite, marble, limestone (including travertine), and slate.
 
Tile Floor Benefits
 
Tile floors are a great choice for kitchens because they can withstand heavy foot traffic, water, spills and they don’t absorb odors or bacteria, which makes tile floors one of the most hygienic kitchen floor options. And in addition to there being thousands of styles of tile flooring to choose from, you can also add another layer of customization to your home, since tile can be arranged in a multitude of patterns.
 
Tile Floor Drawbacks
 
The hardness that makes tile so desirable as a kitchen floor surface can also be a drawback. People who spend a lot of time in the kitchen will want to put down floor mats or rugs since standing on tile for long periods of time can be tough on the body. In addition, tile is sure to be cold on brisk winter mornings, and the hard surface will not be forgiving on any dropped items.
 
Vinyl Flooring
 
Accounting for around 15% of annual flooring expenditures in the country, vinyl flooring has become an increasingly popular floor choose for homeowners, and it’s easy to see why.
 
What Is Vinyl Flooring?
 
Vinyl flooring was originally invented in the 1930s following World War II, and by the 1950s had become a major competitor against other flooring options, specifically linoleum.
 
Types of Vinyl Flooring
 
There are three major types of vinyl flooring: sheet flooring, tile flooring, and plank flooring. With sheet vinyl flooring, the vinyl flooring material is laid down in sheets that can range from 6 or 12 feet wide. Due to the larger pieces, sheet flooring is more water-resistant than other types of vinyl flooring. It also is easier to install.
 
Another type of vinyl flooring is tile flooring, which uses tiles of 9×9” or 12×12″. Many homeowners prefer vinyl tile, which replicates the look of a ceramic tile floor at a more affordable cost.
 
The last type of vinyl flooring is vinyl plank flooring, which has become an increasingly popular option. Vinyl plank flooring is designed to resemble hardwood, and comes in strips. One of the advantages of plank flooring is the range of styles that are out there for homeowners to choose from, all mimicking different types of wood, but without the large price tag.
 
Benefits of Vinyl Flooring
 
One of the biggest draws of vinyl flooring is the durability – specifically its resistance to water. Most vinyl flooring is 100% moisture-resistant. In addition, vinyl flooring is wildly affordable. When it comes to cost, vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring options out there, especially compared to options like stone, tile or hardwood. At the low range, vinyl can cost as little as fifty cents per square foot, and most never exceed moderate cost levels.
 
Vinyl is also very durable as well as relatively easy to maintain. If well-taken care of, your vinyl floors can last anywhere between 10 and 20 years.
 
Drawbacks of Vinyl Flooring
 
Because vinyl products are so soft, they have tend to warp to any particles left beneath them during installation. For example, a trapped bit of dirt could eventually become a bump in your vinyl floor. This means that homeowners need to be extra cautious in the installation process, and do a significant amount of prep work.
 
And although vinyl is durable, it is not impossible to damage – dropping sharp knives or other heavy objects in your kitchen is likely to leave a mark.
 
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
 
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the fastest-growing flooring types in the world right now — it is a modern, beautiful, durable and affordable flooring solution that can stand against some of the most expensive flooring options out there.
 
What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
 
Luxury vinyl flooring bears some similarities to regular vinyl flooring, but “luxury” vinyl flooring (LVF) differs from standard vinyl flooring in its ability to closely mimic the look of natural materials, such as wood or stone.
 
Typically luxury vinyl flooring is thicker than other types of vinyl flooring, and looks much more realistic in its resemblance to classic hardwood. It accomplishes this resemblance with a surface layer that has a very realistic photo-created image of real wood, combined with textures that resemble that of the real materials.
 
Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
 
There are a few specific types of luxury vinyl flooring. One of the most popular options is Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), which has a wide range of design options, and can replicate the look of natural stone or wood flooring, without the extensive installation or maintenance costs associated with either.
 
Another popular type of luxury vinyl is Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). As the name implies, Luxury Vinyl Planks look like planks of hardwood floors, especially since they are individual pieces of vinyl, not sheet vinyl.
 
There is a subset of Luxury Vinyl Plank called Engineered Vinyl Plank (or EVP). EVP is incredibly durable, and has a realistic hardwood look and feel. Perhaps the biggest differentiator of EVP from other vinyl or floor types is that it is waterproof.
 
Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
 
Arguably the biggest “pro” of luxury vinyl flooring is that with it, you can achieve a near-perfect hardwood look for a fraction of the cost – the average hardwood floor costs between $8-$25/square foot, while luxury vinyl costs around $2-$5/square foot.
 
While vinyl flooring offers the clear benefit of being water-resistant, only luxury vinyl flooring can offer the added benefit of being completely waterproof. For this reason, engineered luxury vinyl is a great selection moisture-prone areas in the home, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms.
 
Luxury vinyl flooring, specifically engineered vinyl planks, are much more comfortable on your feet than other cheaper options. Plus it carries the added benefit of both temperature and sound insulation, so you won’t have to worry about cold winter floors or extra loud footsteps.
 
Cons of Vinyl Flooring
 
While vinyl flooring is low maintenance and highly durable, as with any product, there are a handful of “cons” to be aware of. For example, like regular vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl flooring is durable but not impossible to damage. Perhaps the biggest loophole to be aware of is that, despite the name of the product, luxury vinyl flooring won’t improve the value of your home in the same way that hardwood or tile does.
 
Cork Flooring
 
For those prioritizing comfort in their kitchen floor selection, cork is a great option.
 
What Is Cork Flooring?
 
Cork is “harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree—a beech relative that grows primarily in the Mediterranean. The material is ground, mixed with resins, and cut into floors. Cork flooring straddles the line between resilient and engineered floor categories”.
 
Benefits of Cork Flooring
 
Cork is the most comfortable kitchen floor choice. Its inherent softness and springiness make standing for long periods much easier on backs, legs, and feet. And, if you drop a glass or coffee mug, they are less likely to shatter on cork than on other, harder surfaces.
 
In addition, cork works as a natural insulator – not only is it warmer under foot than other flooring choices, but it also muffles sound and helps to reduce energy bills. This quality makes cork a great floor selection for large family homes.
 
Drawbacks of Cork Flooring
 
While cork flooring comes in a variety of styles and colors, there is slightly more limited array than with other popular flooring choices, like luxury vinyl. Also, cork flooring is susceptible to fading, especially when placed in the path of direct sunlight. For this reason, many homeowners elect to have their cork floors refinished every few years. This quality, in combination with the fact that cork floors must be kept free of dirt and sand (since they can scratch the surface over time), make core flooring more high maintenance than some other flooring options.
 
Cork flooring is also not sustainably waterproof, which makes it a difficult choice for the kitchen – it must be sealed every 5 years to keep it water resistant.

Bathroom remodel in Rancho Penasquitos is an exciting opportunity to refresh one of the most important spaces in your home. From choosing new fixtures to picking out tiles, every detail can transform your bathroom into a relaxing oasis. One decision that seems secondary but is actually a very impactful part of the process is choosing the right paint. The right color and finish can make your bathroom look bigger, brighter, and more luxurious, but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. The choice of paint isn’t just about aesthetics—bathrooms are high-moisture areas, so durability and resistance to mildew also play a key role.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the most important factors to consider when choosing the best paint for your bathroom remodel. From selecting the right finish to coordinating colors with your overall design, these tips will help ensure your bathroom’s paint job stands the test of time.

How do I choose paint for my bathroom?

Choosing the right paint for your bathroom remodel requires a balance of aesthetics, durability, and practicality. Remember, don’t rush your decision, take your time to test the samples, and make sure to coordinate your choice with the rest of your bathing area to find the perfect color for its new look.

1. Choose the right paint finish

The first consideration when selecting paint for your bathroom remodel is choosing the right finish. Bathrooms are high-humidity areas, making it essential to select a finish that can withstand moisture without peeling or bubbling.

2. Consider the size and layout of your bathroom

The size and layout of your bathroom play a significant role in how paint colors will appear. 

Light, neutral colors like soft blues, light grays, or crisp whites can make a small bathroom feel larger and more airy by reflecting light. For larger bathrooms, you have more freedom to experiment with bolder or darker colors.

3. Coordinate with your bathroom fixtures

Your bathroom’s fixtures, such as countertops, tiles, and cabinetry, should complement the paint color for a cohesive look. If you have white or neutral fixtures, you can be more adventurous with your paint choices. For instance, pairing white tiles with a vibrant color like turquoise or coral can create a striking contrast that energizes the space.

4. Think about lighting

Lighting is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a paint color for your bathroom remodel. Natural light can make colors appear brighter, while bathrooms with minimal lighting might make dark colors feel oppressive.

5. Invest in mildew-resistant paint

Bathrooms are prone to dampness and moisture, which can lead to mildew and mold growth if not addressed properly. To prevent this, it’s essential to choose a paint that’s specifically formulated for high-humidity areas.

6. Test Paint samples before committing

Before making your final decision, it’s important to test out paint samples in your bathroom. Paint can look different depending on the lighting, surrounding materials, and even the time of day. Most hardware or paint stores offer small sample pots that you can apply directly to your bathroom walls.

Who should I call for a sophisticated bathroom remodel in Rancho Penasquitos, CA & the area?

With experienced and meticulous craftspeople, attention to detail, and the finest selection of materials and brands, Remodel Works has developed a reputation for elegance, durability, and functionality. If you want to explore the pros and cons of vinyl flooring, wondering if a white kitchen is good for you, or you’re thinking about putting in leathered granite, just turn to our team and we’ll gladly answer your questions and offer guidance so you can find the best solution for your home.

Whether you live close to Interstate 15 or on the western side of town, we’ll be there at your place in no time to take a look at your bath and start making plans. Just tell us what you’ve always wanted to do and we’ll go above and beyond to make it happen. Reach out to us today!

The world of general, kitchen, and bathroom remodeling in Rancho Penasquitos is ever-evolving, and the level of innovation the world has seen in the past several years has truly been extraordinary. In the realm of flooring, luxury vinyl has emerged as a true game changer. It’s stylish, modern, durable, and adorable, and an option that easily rivals many high-end materials.

But as with any choice, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll introduce you to luxury vinyl flooring and discuss its benefits and drawbacks below. Keep reading!

What exactly is luxury vinyl flooring?

Although it’s similar to standard vinyl flooring, the luxury variant stands out because its appearance can look close to that of natural materials like stone or wood. To achieve this, luxury vinyl flooring is usually thicker and has a surface layer with photo-realistic images and textures that resemble that of natural options.

Below we outline the different types of luxury vinyl flooring available for you to choose from for your kitchen, bathroom, and beyond.

1. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT)

This variant stands out as a favorite among luxury vinyl flooring options. Its appeal lies in its range of design options and a remarkable ability to mimic the appearance of natural materials like stone or wood – all without the hefty price tag or upkeep demands of the real thing. LVT has several layers: a tile backing layer, a vinyl core, a print film layer, a clear, protective ‘wear’ layer, and, finally, a polyurethane coating.

2. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP)

Another popular choice in the luxury vinyl flooring world is the luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Just as the name suggests, it’s designed to recreate the look and feel of genuine hardwood planks. Unlike sheet vinyl, these are individual pieces, which is part of how they achieve that authentic appearance. LVP comes in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes that make it a versatile option that can complement a wide range of interior design styles.

3. Engineered vinyl plank (EVP)

A subset of LVP that deserves a separate mention, engineered vinyl plank is the most similar in look, feel, and form to engineered hardwood or laminate flooring. Compared to other options, it’s much more versatile and resilient and has the added benefit of being waterproof. 

It’s typically much thicker than the typical glue-down vinyl. EVP is usually about 8mm thick and constructed in layers, where the top is vinyl, the middle is a high-density core board, and there’s a back underlayment for more cushioning. In recent years, it has become a very popular alternative to pricey hardwood options and plain vinyl or laminate flooring.

What are the pros and cons of luxury vinyl?

Like any other material, luxury vinyl flooring comes with a list of pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the most important ones below.

Pros of luxury vinyl flooring

There are many “pros” of choosing luxury vinyl flooring, from affordability to multiple design options and so much more. Here are some of the things we love about vinyl flooring:

1. Affordable

Perhaps the biggest advantage of luxury vinyl flooring is that it achieves the exact aesthetic of a hardwood for only a fraction of the cost. Hardwood is an amazing choice for any space, but it’s also one of the most expensive ones with an average cost between $8-$25/square foot. But luxury vinyl is somewhere between $2-$5/square foot. It achieves the look of hardwood with only a photo of the genuine material placed between the clear wear layer and backing. 

2. Waterproof

Another clear advantage over many other materials is that luxury vinyl is fully waterproof. Because of this, it’s a great option for moisture-prone areas where you still want your flooring to look good, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and kitchens. Engineered vinyl plank is a preferred option for waterproof flooring, especially compared to laminate or engineered hardwood, both of which can get ruined by moisture, let alone a floor or water leak.

3. Easy maintenance

Natural wood, stone, and any other hard-surface flooring are known as particularly difficult to maintain, but luxury vinyl flooring stands out for its low maintenance requirements. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT), for example, doesn’t need any polishing or waxing due to its protective layer. You only need to clean and mop your floors to keep LVT looking fresh. 

And if you damage any planks, you can just pop them out and replace them. Depending on how thick the wear layer is, your LVT flooring may last up to a decade before needing a replacement. While other options, like vinyl composite tile (VCT), can be a bit more demanding in terms of upkeep, sweeping and mopping are usually enough to keep luxury vinyl floors in good shape. 

4. Multiple design options

Luxury vinyl flooring comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. And since this material is only growing in popularity, the number of design options to choose from is still growing every day. Whether you’re looking for a modern gray or weathered woods and farmhouse looks, there are endless luxury vinyl flooring options to choose from. It can even mimic some of the texture of natural stone or wood because the patterns can be embossed into the tile to give it a more realistic feel. 

One of the most common misconceptions about LVT is that the design will wear away through use. But the design is printed onto the film layer of the tile, and protected by the clear “wear” layer, which guards against scuffs and scratches and protects the printed design layer against walk-off.

5. Mimics natural materials

If you want the look and feel of real wood, but don’t want the upkeep, luxury vinyl flooring is your best option. Luxury vinyl, especially engineered vinyl plank, looks so much like real wood that many of your guests will inevitably mistake it for hardwood. Also, since the planks are thicker and more rigid, luxury vinyl feels more like a real wood floor.

6. Everyday comfort

Another area where luxury vinyl, particularly engineered vinyl plank, truly stands out is comfort. When it comes to how comfortable it is to walk on, this flooring material It’s a noticeable upgrade compared to other, less expensive alternatives. Plus, it offers the additional advantage of temperature and sound insulation. So, not only is it more comfortable to walk on, you also won’t have to worry about chilly floors or noisy footsteps.

7. Flexible installation

Although the ‘glue-down’ form was the only available option for luxury vinyl flooring much has changed in recent years. Before, this material could only be glued to a surface below, either concrete or plywood. This isn’t ideal simply because luxury vinyl is still too thin to provide the right feel and cushioning when glued down directly to a subfloor.

Nowadays, though, there are options available for “floating” luxury vinyl flooring. This means that luxury vinyl now doesn’t have to be glued down, and it can instead just lay on top of the subfloor. This makes LVF much easier to install and, when the time comes, remove and replace.

In addition, the development of engineered vinyl plank has advanced the flexibility of this material’s installation. EVP is thicker than other luxury vinyl options and is installed by clicking together individual pieces. So, not only do they provide more cushioning and insulation than other vinyl floor types, but they also stay firmly in place.

Some brands do use glue or grout, but many others have peel-off backing or simply click together. In every case, though, the installation is fairly straightforward. In general, luxury vinyl flooring is very easy to install and carries the added benefit of being easy to place on top of almost any surface.

Cons of luxury vinyl flooring

This option is affordable, durable, and looks great, but as with any product, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of. Here they are:

1. Not impossible to damage

While luxury vinyl flooring is incredibly durable, it’s not completely impervious to damage. It can scratch or scuff, which often happens with heavy furniture or appliances. On the positive side, luxury vinyl flooring is still much harder to scratch than natural wood and if you choose vinyl planks, replacing pieces is fairly easy if they ever get damaged.

2. Extensive preparation

Some luxury vinyl types are more sensitive, so if your subfloor is uneven, it may need a lot of preparation before anything can be installed on top. Engineered vinyl planks, for example, won’t line up well if you try to place them on an uneven surface. If you’re dealing with a particularly unruly subfloor, you may need to invest in a self-leveling mix – which is an added expense – or choose glue-down installation instead.

3. No long-term value

Despite the name of the product, luxury vinyl flooring won’t improve the value of your home in the same way that hardwood or tile does. If investment value is an important factor in your floor choice, you won’t want to overlook this consideration in the planning phase. This is an easy remodeling mistake to avoid.

4. Potential safety risks

While the uniform, smooth look of luxury vinyl flooring is generally a benefit, it also comes with the downside of being more slippery, and therefore more of a fall risk compared other floor choices out there. Unlike carpet, hard flooring won’t absorb moisture away, so the surface automatically becomes slippery in case of spills or very high humidity. Still, luxury vinyl tile may be more slip-resistant than some other hard surface floor coverings, so it’s still the best option if your next flooring installation specifically requires hard surface flooring.

Who do I reach out to for top-notch kitchen and bathroom remodeling in Rancho Penasquitos?

Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room with new luxury vinyl flooring, upgrade your countertops with stunning leathered granite, or start a full-scale home remodeling project, Remodel Works is your trusted partner. 

We’re a full-service remodeling company with years of experience, ready to handle any project, big or small. Our dependable team brings years of industry experience and proven methods, and we’re dedicated to providing top-quality work, clear communication, and exceeding your expectations.

No matter where you are in Rancho Peñasquitos or the surrounding areas, we’re equipped and ready to help. Contact us today and let’s turn your dream home into a reality!

Whether your home has a basement and you’re looking to install new flooring, or you’re looking to add a new basement onto your home, the type of flooring you choose is important! Basements have a very unique set of elements that they deal with, including moisture and extreme temperatures, and flooring needs to be able to stand up to all of them. Here’s an overview of the best types of flooring for basements to help guide your decision-making process.

Carpet

One of the most historically popular flooring materials for basements is carpet. According to the National Association of Home Builders, “more than 28% of basement floors in newly built homes are finished with carpeting.” Here are the pros and cons of using carpeting in your basement.

Pros of Carpet Floors in Basements

Here are some of the major benefits of choosing carpet for your basement flooring.

Warm Underfoot: The obvious benefit of using carpet in the basement is the warmth. Since basements are located underneath your house and underground, they’re more susceptible to cool temperatures, which can mean cold floors. Carpeting helps to provide a buffer against these cold temperatures, by insulating the room from the ground up, and also keep the ground warm underfoot. If you opt for carpeting your basement floor, you can usually get away without needing any sort of radiant heating, which also helps with cost-savings.

Cost-Efficient: As far as costs go, carpeting is one of the cheapest options out there for full coverage of your basement space. But this varies greatly depending on the style and thickness of the carpet. Standard low-pile carpets are highly cost-efficient, but if you upgrade to thicker carpeting, you can expect to pay a lot more.

Great for Kids: If you have young children that you expect to spend a lot of time in the basement, carpeting is a safe bet, since it’s naturally cushioned. Especially if your children are at an age where they are spending a lot of time playing on the floor, carpet flooring will give them more padding.

Sound-Prohibitive: Even though the basement is situated away from the main area of the house, if you’re sending kids down there to play, or if you have any sort of deluxe sound system in your basement, you are going to want to make sure you have sufficient noise-proofing measures in place. Carpet works well as a basement flooring option for this reason – it helps to absorb noise so what happens in the basement is only heard in the basement (and vice versa for the rest of the house).

Cons of Carpet Floors in Basements

There are a few drawbacks of basement carpeting that should be taken into account. Here are the major “cons” of carpeting in basements.

Not Ideal for Moisture: If you live in an area with high humidity or potential for flooding, then the carpet is not going to be your best choice for basement flooring. There’s a reason why carpeting isn’t often used in bathrooms: carpet and water do not mix well. If it gets wet, carpet takes a long time to try, and mold growth can occur if water sits too long in carpeted places, which can be a huge problem.

Staining: If you have young children (or any family members who are at all messy), then you’ll need to worry about staining with carpeted basement floors. Most of the time, cleaning maintenance won’t be a huge hassle with carpeting – a weekly or biweekly vacuuming can keep carpets in good shape. But, spills are a different issue. Especially if they aren’t caught and cleaned up right away, spills can turn into hard-to-remove stains on your carpet floor.

Vinyl Flooring

Another popular flooring option, both in basements and in main areas of the house is vinyl flooring. Vinyl is available in many different forms for flooring, but the most popular option by far today is luxury vinyl flooring. Here’s what you need to know about the pros and cons of luxury vinyl flooring.

Pros of Vinyl Flooring in Basements

Vinyl flooring has a number of general benefits and some that apply specifically to basements. Here are the primary benefits of vinyl flooring you should know about.

Highly Durable: One of the main benefits of vinyl flooring, whether it’s sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl flooring, is that it’s highly durable. Vinyl flooring has been around for a long time for this reason – it continues to stand the test of time in terms of durability and strength. It’s highly resistant to scuff marks, scratches, and gouges (and even more so if you opt for luxury vinyl flooring, which is virtually indestructible).

Water-Resistant/Water-proof:

Vinyl floorings’ primary benefit is that it’s water resistant, but luxury vinyl flooring offers a distinct advantage of being entirely waterproof. As such, this makes luxury vinyl flooring a perfect choice for areas within the home that receive plenty of exposure to moisture such as the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and etc. Laminate or engineered hardwood isn’t as ideal because they both can be ruined from moisture, however, engineered vinyl plank can provide waterproof flooring while still offering the look of true hardwood floors.

Easy to Maintain: Vinyl flooring also offers the benefit of being easy to clean. Since it’s water resistant or waterproof, depending on the style you choose, you don’t need to worry about spills causing damage, and you can easily wipe them up. In addition, many luxury vinyl flooring options come equipped with a protective wear layer that makes maintenance even easier: all you need to do is sweep or mop on an as-needed basis.

Endless Options: Vinyl is highly versatile. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find a vinyl flooring option that fits your design aesthetic and needs. Luxury vinyl alone comes in planks, sheets, and tiles, and in many cases, is designed to look almost exactly like true hardwood, so you can get the beauty of wood floors without the hassle.

Cons of Vinyl Flooring in Basements

In addition to the benefits, there are a few potential downsides of vinyl flooring that you should be aware of.

Moderate Costs: Depending on what kind of vinyl flooring you go with, costs vary. Vinyl sheet flooring tends to be a cheaper option, but higher quality luxury vinyl flooring (especially if it’s thicker) can add up to a greater cost. Careful Installation: Another reason why vinyl flooring is great for basements is that it is very easily installed over a concrete floor, which is a foundational element of all basement floors. However, if you’re not careful throughout the installation process, and if you don’t ensure that your concrete slab is completely smoothed out, then it’s very possible that imperfections will show through the vinyl floor (especially if you’re using sheet vinyl or thin tiles), and potentially even damage the floor itself.

Ceramic Tile Flooring

Ceramic tile flooring is another popular option for basements: and with good reason! Ceramic tile is versatile and durable. Here’s what else you need to know about ceramic tile as a basement flooring option.

Pros of Ceramic Tile Flooring in Basements

Here are some of the top benefits to choosing ceramic tile, or porcelain tile, as one of your flooring options for a basement.

Easy Installation: Ceramic tile floors are one of the easiest types of flooring to install in the home, and they work especially well in basements since they install readily over a concrete slab (House Logic). You can install ceramic tiles on your own if you’re comfortable doing so, but you can easily hire a contractor to help you out for a reasonable price.

Longevity and Durability: Another benefit of ceramic tile is that it offers durable flooring for basements. Especially if they are installed properly and well-maintained, once you lay down your ceramic tile in the basement, you’ll likely never have to replace it.

Many Design Options: Ceramic tile comes in so many different varieties, colors, and sizes. You can even opt to order custom ceramic tiles if you want a truly unique floor for your basement. As far as flooring options go, ceramic and porcelain tile is one of the most versatile choices out there.

Water-friendly: Ceramic tile is an excellent option for basement flooring, specifically, since it does so well in contact with water. Ceramic tile easily dries out and will remain “undamaged in the event of flooding” (The Spruce). You’ll never have to worry about rot or mold and mildew with a ceramic tile floor in the basement.

Cons of Ceramic Tile Flooring in Basements

In addition to its benefits, ceramic tile also has some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of; here are the “cons” of ceramic tile as a basement flooring option.

Slip Potential: Ceramic tile has the potential to be slippery, especially if it’s exposed to moisture or condensation, which can be highly dangerous in the home (especially a home with small children or older family members). There are tile flooring options that come with an anti-slip finish, so if this is a concern for you but you have your heart set on ceramic tile flooring, consider upgrading to anti-slip for the surface. You can also mitigate the slip factor by using area rugs in your basement over the tile. This will help with comfort as well.

Hardness: Another potential drawback of this type of flooring is the hardness of the tile. Depending on what your basement is going to be used for, this could be a problem. For example, if it’s going to serve as a playroom for children, you might want to opt for a softer flooring option like carpet or vinyl.

Cold-Finish: Due to the hard nature of ceramic tile, this also translates to the material being very cold, naturally. And since basements have a tendency to be chilly, porcelain or ceramic tiles can enhance this drawback. However, the good news is that radiant heating can easily be installed underneath ceramic tile – it just will be an added cost for your home.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Another potential flooring option for your basement is engineered wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring is a variation of true hardwood, but it’s made up of several layers of true hardwood, plywood, high-density fiberboard, and other miscellaneous wood substitutes. This allows engineered wood flooring to be more durable and affordable than true hardwood but still provides that beautiful hardwood finish. Here’s what you need to know about engineered wood flooring as a basement floor option.

Pros of Engineered Wood Flooring in Basements

Engineered wood flooring offers many benefits as a basement flooring choice. Here’s a summary.

Visually Appealing: Since engineered wood flooring was created to resemble true hardwood (without the upkeep and malleability), it’s arguably the most beautiful flooring option out there, depending on your style and design preferences. Since engineered wood flooring uses a thin layer of actual hardwood to achieve this effect, you’re able to reap the benefits of the beautiful finished look of hardwood, but at a fraction of the cost.

Moisture-Resistant: Engineered wood flooring also offers the benefit of standing up to significant amounts of moisture. This is because the plywood within the planks is “more dimensionally stable than solid wood, allowing the planks to withstand temperature and moisture fluctuations without warping” (House Logic). If you live in an area with mild-humidity, then engineered wood flooring may be your perfect basement flooring option

Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring in Basements

Despite the luxurious appearance, there are a few potential drawbacks to engineered wood as a choice of flooring options for a basement.

Expensive: Compared to the other flooring options on this list, engineered wood flooring is likely going to be the most expensive option. It’s more affordable than true hardwood, but you can still expect to pay for quality. And if you live in an exceptionally humid area with lots of potential moisture exposure, it may not be worth the cost.

There are many different basement flooring options that you can choose from, each with their own set of pros and cons. Depending on your family structure, your desired aesthetic, and your intended use case for your basement, some of these flooring ideas may work better for you than others.

The process of remodeling your kitchen takes a lot of planning, time and effort. And there are many different moving pieces. One of the most significant elements of any kitchen remodel is the installation of the kitchen cabinets. Here’s how long it takes to install new kitchen cabinet doors , as well as some other frequently asked questions about kitchen cabinet installation.

Steps of Kitchen Cabinet Installation

To understand the process of “how long does it take to install kitchen cabinets,” it’s helpful to first get an understanding of the timeline of the process, and get a sense for how long each individual phase takes before choosing your kitchen cabinets . Here are the major steps of kitchen cabinet installation.

1. Plan Your Design

The first step of any redesign or remodel process is to gather inspiration and plan out the design. Depending on how many changes you are planning to make, and how long you’ve been thinking about executing the remodel (or the kitchen cabinet installation), the timeline of this step can vary greatly: anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. This timeline shortens considerably if you enlist the help of an interior designer, who can help provide a vision and assistance on what specific kitchen cabinet options will best suit your desired look and feel.

Here are all the elements that you will need to consider as you map out your new kitchen cabinet installation:

Will you refinish, resurface, or replace your cabinets?

Depending on your budget, and exactly how great of a change you are looking to make in your existing cabinet setup, you may find you’d rather refinish or resurface your existing cabinets, instead of completely replacing them.

For the most part, refinishing or resurfacing cabinets is a cheaper option than installing brand new cabinets, and it can be significantly less complicated as well. If you are pleased with the functionality, size, and setup of your current kitchen cabinets, then an aesthetic upgrade by refinishing or resurfacing may be a better solution.

If you want to “start over” and rework the layout of your kitchen cabinets, or if your current cabinets are very old, then replacing them will be your best option. Decide which option will work best for you, and then you can begin to design and plan accordingly.

Do you need some design help?

If you are planning to do a full scale kitchen remodel, or a major kitchen cabinet rework, then it may make sense for you to enlist some extra help. This can be as simple as heading to your local home improvement store, perusing their selection of cabinetry, and striking up a conversation with one of their design team members.

You can also choose to seek out and hire the services of an interior designer, if you have the budget. This will cost you some extra money, but the benefit is that you will get recommendations that are completely customized to you and your space.

A third option is to work with a company that specifically deals with and specializes in remodels, whether in the kitchen, the bathroom, or other key areas of the home. If you’re interested in this option, you can always strike up a conversation, ask questions, and then get a quote for your project, no strings attached. You can even repeat this process with several remodeling vendors to compare quotes and price points – in fact, it is highly recommended that you do!

2. Decide on Your New Cabinets

Once you’ve determined which option between a new kitchen or a cabinet refinish will work best for you, decided if you are going to get some professional help with your remodel, and have locked down your initial design plan, it’s time to select your kitchen cabinet materials. This process will take about 1-2 weeks, depending on how quick of a decision maker you are.

Here are the elements you will need to consider as you decide on your new cabinets:

What material do you want your cabinets to be made out of?

There are many benefits and drawbacks associated with different types of kitchen cabinet materials. Hardwood is luxurious and durable, but expensive. Particleboard is affordable but can be weak and susceptible to sagging. At the end of the day, you’ll probably end up choosing a mix of materials, and if you decide to go with stock cabinets, your decision will be incredibly easy.

Do you want stock, custom, or semi-custom cabinets?

For the most part, kitchen cabinets can be purchased in three varieties: stock, custom or semi-custom. Stock kitchen cabinets are the most readily available to homeowners, and can be shopped for at your local hardware and home improvement store, or online. These types of cabinets are completely “buy as is,” and your installation team will install them directly. Stock cabinets are the most affordable option.

If you want something truly unique, and you have a sizeable budget, then you can consider custom cabinetry. Depending on how custom you want to get, you can even build cabinets completely from scratch with this option. But, it will cost you.

A great middle-ground option between stock and custom is semi-custom, which, as you can expect, is a more customized type of stock cabinet that you can choose to install in your home.

Take the time to decide what level of customization you need in your cabinets, and what fits in your price range.

What other aesthetic elements are important to you?

Your kitchen cabinets take up quite a bit of space in your kitchen, so you need to make sure you like the way they look. After deciding on material and your level of customization, think about any other aesthetic elements that you want to manipulate in the design and building process. For example, if you want to paint your cabinets a certain color to match your design aesthetic, or if you want to install custom fixtures for a special touch.

3. Hire Your Team

While it is probably possible for you to install your kitchen cabinets on your own it will be much more time efficient for you to hire a team of professionals to complete the installation process.

Reach out to family and friends, use review sites, and talk with your local home improvement vendors to find a contractor or cabinet installation specialist who can assist you with your specific needs. Depending on the level of specification you need, this process can take 2-7 days to find the right contractor for you.

Once you hire your team, make arrangements with them for when the installation will begin

4. Demo Day

Depending on which option you move forward with (refinishing, resurfacing, or replacing), you may have to completely remove your existing cabinet setup in order to install your new cabinets.

Fortunately, this is a pretty quick part of the process. Most demolitions for kitchen cabinet installation take less than a day, although it can take longer than a day if you are doing a full-scale kitchen remodel, and need to remove other pieces around the cabinets.

5. Install or Treat Your New Cabinets

Depending on which new cabinet option you’ve selected, you can expect a slightly different “installation” timeline for each.

How Long Does it Take to Install New Cabinets?

After you’ve done all the planning and prep work, the last step in the kitchen cabinet installation process is to actually install your new cabinets. Depending on the level of customization, and the unique setup of your kitchen, the length of time it actually takes to install your kitchen cabinets can vary. For the most part, it takes a week on average (usually closer to three working days)  to complete a new kitchen cabinet installation.

If you are just installing new kitchen cabinets’ doors, through either refinishing or resurfacing, then you can expect this process to take a much shorter amount of time. You won’t have to make nearly as many design choices. You won’t have to worry about ordering new cabinets at all. And you won’t have to worry about new materials.

How Long Does it Take to Refinish Cabinets?

If you’re opting to refinish your cabinets, you have the easiest task in front of you. On average, refinishing it takes about 3-5 days to complete, according to Ehow.com. This timeline involves: preparation, stripping, sanding, and finishing with paint. Of all those steps, sanding takes quite a lot of time and varies greatly on the type of wood or material of your cabinet doors. Painting, or finishing the application, should be expected to take at least two days.

How Long Does it Take to Resurface Cabinets?

If you’re opting to resurface your cabinets, you have a similar timeline ahead of you to refinishing. In almost all cases, it is recommended that you enlist the help of a professional to complete resurfacing your new kitchen cabinet doors. According to Home Advisor, “most refacing can be done in 2-4 days,” although this does depend on the size and efficiency of the company working on your installation. This 2-4 day timeline does not include any time you need to spend planning or ideating your ideal design.

Other Elements That Impact Timeline of Kitchen Cabinet Installation

In addition to the steps listed out above, here are some other elements that can potentially impact the timeline of your kitchen cabinet installation.

Do you need to order your cabinets?

If you find your perfect cabinet set, and you need to order them either online or in-store, you might need to add in some time for delivery.

How busy is your contractor?

If you are dead-set on a certain contractor, you will have to be flexible with their schedule and wait until they have availability to work on your specific project. If time is more important to you than who your contractor is, then be sure to ask that question during the vetting process.

Are you making any major layout changes?

If you’re opting for a stock cabinet tear-down and install, that’s fairly simple. But, if you’re looking to adjust the layout of your kitchen, and install a differently-shaped kitchen cabinet setup, then you can expect for this to take more time.

Are there any additional changes you want to make?

The process of completing a kitchen cabinet installation or remodel takes a lot of time and effort, so you might as well make any other changes you’ve been considering for a while during the process. For example, if you want to install new flooring, or a new backsplash, or upgrade your appliances, you can easily enlist the help of a contractor to perform that work in addition to your kitchen cabinet upgrades.

Plus, the kitchen cabinet installation process is messy – you can expect lots of dust and exposed walls during the process. Capitalize on this teardown period to create the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of. Otherwise, it will probably be a long time until you’re ready to go through the process of hiring a contractor, demo-ing your space, and overturning your daily routine, all over again.

In Summary: How Long Does it Take to Install Kitchen Cabinets?

While the process of physically installing new kitchen cabinets can take about a week, the process of ideating your design, selecting materials, demolishing your existing setup, and fine-tuning details can take anywhere from two weeks to six months.

Either way, this is a decision that shouldn’t be rushed. Regardless of your worries around “how long does it take to install cabinets,” take your time to decide which styles, materials, and price options work best for you and your family. Do your best to enjoy the process, and keep the kitchen remodel process a positive one, where you are happy with the end result. Kitchen cabinets are truly an investment, so you want to make sure you completely love the final product. To learn more about kitchen and bathroom remodels, please contact our San Diego renovation experts at Remodel Works today.

Sources:

https://www.ehow.com/info_8317132_long-refinish-cabinets.html

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2693597/how-long-should-cabinet-install-take

https://sebringdesignbuild.com/how-long-does-a-kitchen-remodel-really-take-a-realistic-schedule/