While laminate remains the clear choice among kitchen countertop materials, remodeling customers are more open to variety in their choice of kitchen flooring. According to Professional Remodeler's 2002 Home Remodeling Study, customers nationwide who had remodeled or planned to remodel their kitchen have a slight preference for vinyl floors over ceramic tile. But regionally, vinyl is No. 1 only in the South; tile is preferred in the Northeast, North Central and West regions. Also, the West is the only region where laminate countertops aren't dominant. Customers there are more apt than those elsewhere to select trendier or newer countertop materials such as granite and solid surfaces.
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|
All kitchen-remodel respondents |
Northeast |
North Central |
South |
West |
|
Countertops |
|
Laminate |
36.3% |
40.2% |
38.0% |
38.8% |
24.7% |
|
Solid surface |
14.3% |
4.4% |
9.3% |
15.1% |
19.5% |
|
Granite |
12.4% |
11.3% |
9.3% |
10.8% |
20.8% |
|
Tile, porcelain & quarry |
9.0% |
4.1% |
13.9% |
8.6% |
9.1% |
|
Marble/stone |
8.3% |
10.3% |
5.6% |
9.4% |
7.8% |
|
Butcher block/wood |
7.4% |
9.3% |
5.6% |
8.6% |
5.2% |
|
Stainless steel |
1.7% |
2.1% |
1.9% |
1.4% |
1.3% |
|
Flooring |
|
Vinyl |
24.2% |
25.8% |
22.2% |
26.6% |
20.8% |
|
Ceramic tile |
24.0% |
28.9% |
23.1% |
22.3% |
22.1% |
|
Laminate |
15.9% |
12.4% |
20.4% |
15.8% |
14.3% |
|
Hardwood |
14.7% |
16.5% |
18.5% |
7.2% |
20.8% |
|
Carpet |
8.6% |
11.3% |
5.6% |
10.1% |
6.5% |
|
Marble/stone |
3.6% |
4.1% |
0.9% |
3.6% |
6.5% |
|
Storage |
|
Pantry area |
29.9% |
20.6% |
30.6% |
30.9% |
39.0% |
|
Lazy susan |
24.2% |
21.6% |
31.5% |
15.8% |
32.5% |
|
Utility closet |
17.3% |
23.7% |
10.2% |
16.5% |
20.8% |
|
Spice rack |
14.7% |
12.4% |
17.6% |
15.1% |
3.0% |
|
Closet organizers |
13.1% |
14.4% |
11.1% |
11.5% |
16.9% |
|
Appliance garage |
7.6% |
8.2% |
4.6% |
4.3% |
16.9% |
|
Wine rack |
5.9% |
5.2% |
4.6% |
5.8% |
9.1% |
|
Recycling center |
3.8% |
5.2% |
1.9% |
2.2% |
7.8% |
|
Other |
7.8% |
6.2% |
7.4% |
5.8% |
14.3% |
|
Source: Professional Remodeler’s 2002 Home Remodeling Study |
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