Think of it as the fifth wall. Kitchen flooring has a huge impact on the overall look of the whole room. And whatever material you choose—wood planks, ceramic tiles, vinyl, linoleum, or laminate—is a chance to make a statement. Thanks to technological improvements, faux finishes are more convincing than ever, and Consumer Reports' flooring Ratings now list available shades for each product. Of course, all kitchen flooring looks great out of the box, but the true test is what happens once real life takes over. The results of our latest tests show that resistance even to stains such as ink, asphalt sealant, and crayon has gotten better among the newest floors we’ve seen. And one vinyl we had previously tested showed improvement against scratching as well as staining. For many shoppers of kitchen flooring, there’s no substitute for the warmth of wood. But in an active kitchen, both solid- and engineered-wood floors are especially prone to denting from dropped items. A great upside to solid hardwood and bamboo, however, is that many can be refinished multiple times to get rid of the scratches and dings of normal use.

If a wood you choose has a rustic, distressed appearance like the Armstrong American Scrape Oak Brown Bear, $7 per square foot, you probably won’t even notice small scratches. Pay less for a wood look The better laminates we tested performed about as well as solid wood. And they can be floated: installed right over your old floor with no need for glues or fasteners. For an even tougher kitchen flooring product, our top-performing “luxury” vinyls come in a variety of wood looks and offer better dent resistance. Both types are also available in realistic stone and slate designs. But we often got mixed results from the effects of frequent walking, spilled food, dragged and dropped objects, and sunlight in our tough tests. The Project Source Winchester Oak 2765 laminate, just $1 per square foot, used to be a CR Best Buy, but the latest version proved too prone to wear for it to rank even close to our recommended floors. But some gained ground. The Mohawk Pastoria Red Oak Natural HCC27-10, $4.30 per square foot, improved at how well it resisted wear, though not enough to be one of our picks.

Tell us and other readers what you installed in your kitchen and why by adding a comment below. Style file: A glossary of materials Solid wood (Installed cost: $5 to $10 per square foot) Wood, including bamboo, offers a natural look and feel, and can be refinished many times. More are offering rustic-looking, distressed finishes. But: It tends to dent easily and is challenging to install. Salem Garage Doors Cincinnati OhioSeveral products changed color under UV light, and some can be damaged by large spills.Dual Snorkel Air Cleaner Chevy Tip: Factory finishes tend to be tougher than those applied by a contractor, a potential benefit of buying prefinished floors.Second Hand Outdoor Furniture Toowoomba

Vinyl (Installed cost $2 to $6 per square foot) Vinyl is tough and durable. And today’s products look more like real stone or wood than vinyl has in the past. But: Even the best still don’t look completely real up close. And off-gassing brings phthalate concerns for those with young children, though there’s no cause for alarm. Tip: Do-it-yourselfers should pick tiles or planks over a sheet that must be cut precisely. Engineered wood (Installed cost: $4 to $9 per square foot) Engineered wood and bamboo cost less than solid-wood flooring and offer the same warm, natural look. They can often be floated without glue or fasteners. But: Most dent easily and can be damaged by large spills. And because they’re a veneer over substrate, most can be refinished just once. Tip: Wide planks can help small rooms look bigger. Laminate (Installed cost: $3 to $7 per square foot) Laminate offers toughness, mimics a variety of natural materials, and can usually be floated.

The best wear well and resist stains and color change from sunlight. But: Most dent easily, and laminate can’t be saved once you’ve worn through the top layer. Tip: Laminate boards from one package often have a similar pattern, so mix pieces from multiple packages to avoid repetition. Linoleum (Installed cost: $4 to $8 per square foot) This mimics stone and other materials, as vinyl does, but it is made of tree bark and linseed oil, so it's considered a green option. The best off superb resistance to scratches, stains, and fading from sunlight. But: The best vinyl offers better wear resistance and easier installation for about the same price. Tip: Consider Armstrong's Marmorette Oak Brown LP066, $4.50, which outperformed other linoleum floors in our tests. Ceramic tile (Installed cost: $8 to $15 per square foot) An enduring material in use since ancient times, this kitchen flooring comes in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and prices, and even planks with a wood-grain look.

Floating products cost less, $5 to $8 per square foot, and are easier to install. But: Dropped items can crack traditional and floating tiles, and grout can stain. Tip: SnapStone's Beige 11-001-02-01, $8, aced most of our tests and can be floated without glue. Find everything you need to know and all the best appliances and materials to consider in our Kitchen Remodeling Guide.Average Minimum Cost of Marmoleum Flooring: $2.50 per square foot Average Maximum Cost of Marmoleum Flooring: $4.75 per square foot Marmoleum, sometimes called Forbo's linoleum, is a type of linoleum. This means that it is made from materials like wood flour, fillers and pine rosin, but it is connected through the use of linseed oil. The difference between marmoleum and everyday linoleum is that marmoleum is manufactured with natural, biodegradable materials. This gives it the versatile look and feel of linoleum along with an impressive level of environmental friendliness. The primary benefits of using marmoleum flooring include its environmental friendliness, antimicrobial properties, impressively long lifespan, heat resistance, appearance and versatility.

Families who are concerned with the use of chemicals or unnatural materials in the home will absolutely appreciate that marmoleum is made up of natural items that are biodegradable and won't give off any chemical fumes or gases over time. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, which are naturally occurring, marmoleum is also a hygienic flooring choice in bathrooms and kitchens. The flat surface of marmoleum makes it easy to keep clean and maintain over time, which is just one reason that this flooring choice can easily last for more than 50 years with the right care. Another reason that marmoleum is so popular in kitchens is because it is heat resistant. Hot pans or utensils won't melt the material or cause visible damage, which can reduce the need for replacement over time. Marmoleum comes in a variety of colors, styles and patterns. It can be purchased in rolls, tiles or planks to better fit the design of the space and the budget of the buyer. While the advantages of marmoleum flooring are plentiful, the material is far from perfect.

Major drawbacks that potential buyers should keep in mind including the following concerns: It may stain and scuff easily It can be more expensive than ordinary linoleum The finish can be ruined easily The seal needs to be regularly maintained Seams may become visible over time The biggest problem with marmoleum flooring is the fact that it can be damaged easily. Something as simple as wearing spiked high heels could pierce through the material, or pet accidents can stain the color of the flooring in minutes. The key to reducing this kind of damage over time is to maintain a proper seal, and then to watch the finish carefully. Getting marmoleum wet, and leaving it wet, can result in warping or damage. With proper care and installation, however, marmoleum flooring can absolutely be a solid and environmentally-friendly flooring choice for the home. Part of the appeal of marmoleum flooring is its versatility and variety. Whether buyers have a modern home, a mid-century house or a traditional residence, there is a type of marmoleum that can potentially work well in any space.

As far as colors go, there is almost no end to the options available. In addition, marmoleum can be purchased in patterns to bring brightness or style to any room in the house. Marmoleum flooring is available in large sheets that get unfurled across the entire floor of a room, they come in narrow rolls, and they are even available in stick-on tiles that are incredibly easy to install. The sheer number of options makes it easy for any homeowner to find what they are looking for, and the price range is certainly appealing to anyone on a limited flooring budget. When considering the costs of marmoleum flooring, it is important to give some thought to installation. In order for marmoleum to look its best in the home, it needs to be installed on a completely flat and smooth surface, and it needs to have a proper seal right from the beginning. Anyone planning to use sheets or rolls of marmoleum flooring should consider professionals for high-quality installation. One way to save substantially on marmoleum flooring is to install it alone.

However, this should only be a consideration for those who are using marmoleum tile pieces as well as those who have a new foundation or a subflooring that it is in great condition. Although marmoleum is not for everyone, there are some people who can absolutely benefit from using it as flooring in the home. Marmoleum is a top pick for those who are refurbishing a retro or mid-century home because it provides the look of linoleum with modern environmental benefits. It is ideal for anyone who cares about the preservation of the planet, who has allergies or wants a safe flooring choice that feels soft and comfortable to stand on. Finally, marmoleum tiles are suitable for those who want to try a DIY flooring installation. Marmoleum, on average, falls in the middle of spectrum of flooring material costs. While it is more expensive than ordinary linoleum, it is much cheaper than most types of hardwood flooring. There are several different factors that can influence the cost of installing marmoleum flooring in the home, and the most important include the following: