DEAR TIM: I am considering alternatives for a new kitchen floor. A surface which is virtually maintenance free would be highly desirable. Is such a material available? I am not interested in hardwood or ceramic materials. Can you suggest alternatives? M. H.

DEAR M. H.: You have come to the right source! I would be glad to offer you alternatives. You are the perfect candidate for resilient flooring.

Resilient flooring refers to any vinyl flooring product, such as vinyl tiles and sheet vinyl flooring. Many homeowners still use the term 'linoleum' for resilient sheet vinyl.

Modern resilient flooring has come a long way from the days of linoleum. The vinyl flooring materials available today offer a wide variety of styles, patterns, and colors. Because these materials incorporate modern plastics, they can also be extremely durable.

Modern sheet vinyl flooring is manufactured in layers, much like a layer cake. Colors and patterns are incorporated in the middle layers. Sheet vinyl flooring derives its durability from its upper layer, often called the wearlayer. This wearlayer, in many cases, is a clear vinyl resin available in different thicknesses. Generally speaking, the thicker the wearlayer the more expensive and longer lasting the product will be. The thickness of wearlayers can range from 0.005 to 0.025 of an inch.

Many of the sheet vinyl floors have a very high gloss. This gloss is often achieved by adding a urethane on top of the clear, vinyl wearlayer. These urethanes often are as durable as the urethanes which are used on hardwood flooring.

Depending upon the size of the room in which you intend to use sheet vinyl flooring, you may be able to install it in one giant piece. Many patterns and styles are available in 12 foot widths. In the event your room is wider than 12 feet, it is not a problem. Because the flooring is, for the most part, plastic, special glues have been developed to join pieces together. This glue, or seam sealer, actually welds the two pieces of flooring together into one solid piece.

Many resilient flooring products are just that. They have a bounce or cushioning quality. This is achieved by incorporating a thin layer of foam in the bottom of the product. If you intend to spend a great deal of time standing or walking in your kitchen, your legs and back may not ache as much at the end of the day.

Vinyl tiles are also an alternative. These products are often available in pieces one foot square. They often are available in two thicknesses, 1/16 and 1/8 inch. Vinyl tiles floors can withstand tremendous amounts of abuse. These floors also have a clear vinyl or urethane finish which makes them easy to clean and care for. Some manufactures of these tiles go to great lengths to precision grind the edges of each tile. This effort produces a floor which has the appearance of a similar one piece sheet vinyl floor.

Maintenance of resilient flooring is quite simple in many instances. Because the upper layers are plastic, these floors are rarely harmed by household spills. Simply wipe up spills with a damp mop or cloth and remove dust and grit on a regular basis. This simple, ordinary work will reward you with a brilliant floor for many years to come.