If you’re renovating or building a new kitchen, choosing the perfect flooring is one of the most exciting parts of the design process. But with so many options to pick from, it can also be overwhelming trying to find flooring that checks all your boxes for style, durability, and budget. Travertine, limestone, vinyl plank, even painting concrete – the possibilities seem endless for your dream kitchen flooring. But we’re here to let you in on a little secret: for achieving a high-end yet classic kitchen floor look that will last for decades, brick pavers are the clear winner.
With their unbeatable durability, incredible range of colors and textures, and budget-friendly cost compared to natural stone or hardwood, brick pavers simply can’t be beat when it comes to kitchen floors. Once you learn all about the benefits of using brick pavers in your kitchen, you can finally stop agonizing over the dozens of options out there. Your search ends with the timeless, beautiful look of brick pavers underfoot.
Brick Paver Benefits for Kitchen Floors
What makes brick pavers so ideal for kitchen flooring? There are a number of key advantages that set them apart.
Extreme Durability
The number one benefit of brick pavers in the kitchen is their unmatched durability. Made from heavy-duty fired clay just like traditional full-size brick, pavers can withstand decades of foot traffic, falls, dragging furniture, and daily spills that happen in busy kitchen environments. The dense compressed clay has very low porosity, making it resistant to moisture and everyday staining. You’d be hard-pressed to damage a properly sealed and maintained brick floor!
In fact, brick pavers will easily outlast most other kitchen flooring options out there. Natural stone, tile, vinyl, laminate – none come close to the heavy-duty construction of brick pavers. Their durability has been proven over centuries of use on walkways and patios. Bringing them indoors provides that same sturdiness underfoot.
Endless Design Options
Another big perk of using brick pavers in the kitchen is the sheer variety available when it comes to color, texture, and overall design. While classic red clay tones will always remain popular, modern manufacturing means pavers now come in every color of the rainbow. From warm beiges and earthy browns to cool grays and pristine whites, you’re sure to find a brick paver hue to complement your kitchen decor. Mix and match colors within one floor for a charming patchwork design, or stick to one uniform color for a seamless look.
The variations in texture between pavers also lends uniqueness and visual appeal. Unlike porcelain or vinyl floors which have a uniform manufactured appearance, brick pavers showcase the irregularities and natural design formed by the clay and firing process. The colors and textures available with brick mean they can work in any kitchen style, from sleek and modern to cozy and rustic.
| Brick Paver Colors | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic reds | Deep, warm red tones reminiscent of old brick buildings and patios |
| Charcoal | Dark near-black pavers for modern drama |
| Tans and browns | Understated earth tones perfect for rustic farmhouse kitchens |
| Whites | Crisp and clean white pavers create a bright, airy look |
| Color blends | Mixing brick paver colors creates vibrant, unique patterns |
Budget-Friendly Costs
One of the biggest perks of using brick pavers instead of other high-end options like natural stone, hardwood, or porcelain is the cost savings. The material itself costs just $3-7 per square foot on average. While professional installation is recommended and does add to the total expense, brick pavers are still far more budget-friendly than luxury materials like marble or walnut hardwood.
Opting for reclaimed brick pavers brings costs down even further. Salvaged from old buildings or patios, reclaimed pavers give you that aged, antique look for a fraction of the price of new pavers. Whatever your budget for a kitchen renovation may be, brick pavers allow you to achieve the upscale tile appearance you want without breaking the bank.
Low-Maintenance Care
One of the biggest headaches with high-end kitchen floors like hardwood or natural stone is the extensive maintenance required to keep them looking pristine. Scratches, dents and stains can quickly accumulate, ruining their flawless appearance. Not so with durable brick pavers. They are incredibly low-maintenance thanks to the stain-resistant compressed clay and coating of brick sealer. An occasional sweep and mop is all your brick floor needs to continue looking like new for decades.
You don’t have to worry about the dings, scratches and discoloration that afflict wood floors in the kitchen either. Brick pavers are impervious to these types of marks. Their naturally uneven texture also does a great job of hiding any minor scratches or scrapes from dragging heavy pots and furniture.
Brick Paver Floor Installation
Achieving a perfectly level, smooth brick floor requires proper installation.
Hiring a Pro vs. DIY
While experienced DIYers can potentially install brick pavers if desired, hiring a professional installer is highly recommended. The subfloor prep work, mortar application, and grout sealing involved take skill to get right. A pro job ensures your floor avoids cracked or uneven pavers down the road. However, mesh-backed paver panels do simplify installation enough for an ambitious DIYer to tackle.
Installation Process
Installing a new brick floor involves a few key steps:
- Remove old flooring if needed
- Level and prep the subsurface
- Lay pavers with thinset mortar
- Grout and seal pavers
The subfloor surface must be cleared of any old flooring and debris, then leveled andcompacted so it provides a flat base for the pavers. Pavers are laid in the mortar one by one,with precise spacing between them for the grout joints. Once all pavers are laid, grout is pushed into these joints. Finally a quality brick sealer is applied to protect from moisture and stains.
Estimated Project Costs
Here are approximate costs to install a brick paver kitchen floor:
- Materials only: $3-7 per square foot
- Professional installation: $10-20 per square foot
As you can see, the labor and expertise is where your costs go up. But the end result is well worth the investment!
Maintaining Your Brick Paver Floor
Caring for your new brick floor is simple when you follow a few guidelines.
Cleaning Tips
For day-to-day cleaning of brick pavers, sweeping frequently keeps dust and dirt from accumulating. An occasional mop with warm water and a small amount of mild detergent is sufficient. Avoid excessive moisture that could compromise the grout joints or sealer coat.
Re-Sealing Over Time
The sealer on your pavers protects them from stains, moisture damage and prevents the growth of mold or mildew in the grout joints. It does wear off over the course of a few years so periodic reapplication is needed. Every 1-2 years, hire a professional to reseal your floor to keep it looking its best.
Repairing Damage
Should a paver become cracked or chipped, repairs are possible but can be tricky. Removing and replacing one paver to match the rest requires skill. Your best bet is to hire the original flooring installer or another professional if damage occurs.
FAQs about Brick Paver Floors
Still have some questions about using brick pavers for your kitchen floor? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
How long do they last?
With proper installation and maintenance, a brick paver floor can easily last 40 years or longer. Some older homes still have the original brick floors installed a century ago!
Can you install over existing floors?
In most cases existing flooring needs removed down the subfloor so the pavers can be laid on a smooth, level surface. Tile or vinyl flooring usually needs removed first.
Are they comfortable underfoot?
Brick pavers feel firm yet slightly yielding underfoot, offering comfortable support while cooking or standing at counters.
Do they work with radiant heat?
Yes, brick pavers can be used over radiant heat systems. The dense clay retains and conducts the warmth nicely.
Are they noisy when walked on?
With grout joints filled properly, brick pavers are no noisier than tiles or hardwood when walked or cooked on.
After reading about all the convincing benefits of brick pavers for kitchen flooring, it’s clear this classic flooring material is an unbeatable option. The extreme durability of brickpavers along with their vast design possibilities, budget-friendly cost, and easy maintenance add up to a dream floor for any style of kitchen. Once your brick paver floor is installed, you can finally stop searching for the perfect kitchen flooring solution. With brick pavers, you can enjoy stylish, distinctive floors guaranteed to last a lifetime.