There's More to a Floor

The kitchen is the heart of the home; it’s where you cook, gather, and eat together. With all its frequent use it may be in need of updating. One thing you may consider is changing your kitchen flooring.  Now a days we have access to a plethora of materials whether it be cork, rubber, or wood. All of these types of flooring have their pros and cons, so you may want to consider the care that goes into them, cost, and their function. Here are a variety of flooring options, their functionality, and durability.
Cork is a beautiful and very comfortable material which is great on your back and knees. It comes in a variety of colors which may make it a more flexible choice when incorporating it into your existing kitchen. However, it could scratch so it may need a coat of wax or polyurethane here and there to maintain its beauty.
Linoleum is another all natural and renewable material which is soft under your feet and very durable.  Maintaining a protective coat will also help the life span of this material.
Rubber is soft and bouncy which makes it a great material for standing long hours, so if you love cooking large feasts, this may be the flooring for you. It comes in tile and sheet form and should be sealed every one or two years for longevity.
Vinyl is great if you’re trying to make inexpensive changes, it is a very budget friendly material, and comes in all varieties of colors and patterns, which makes it much easier matching preexisting cabinetry, counter stops, and hardware. On the down side, it’s not very durable therefore it has a shorter life span. 
Wood is a much better material on the joints than a hard surface like porcelain, ceramic or concrete. It can get scratched and dented if not careful and needs to be protected from water. However, wood can be refinished if damaged. Sealing the wood after the installation would be smart, that way it seals the cracks and joints.
Bamboo is similar to wood but is a more sustainable material.
Laminate is also a budget friendly material which is soft under the feet, and more water resistant than wood. Unfortunately, it cannot be refinished if scratched or damaged.
Essentially, all these materials are great ways to transform your kitchen flooring. It would be best to thoroughly research each one and to take into consideration cost, durability, and esthetic. It may be a better choice to invest in something that may cost more but will last long term and serve its purpose in your kitchen.