What should be the floor in the kitchen?What to choose: tile, wood or linoleum? What should be guided first of all - beauty, comfort or durability? We will help you figure it out and show you what to look for When designing your own kitchen, one of the most important decisions will be the selection of floor material. The market now offers a wide variety of options: tiles, wood, linoleum, laminate, cork, self-leveling floor. Most, without going into details, will choose tiles. But if you look in more detail, it turns out that all the materials listed are worthy of consideration and have both pluses and minuses. Only by carefully studying all aspects, you can get the perfect kitchen, the floor of which will delight you with its appearance and functionality for many years. Let's take a closer look at each of the options. 1. Laminate This is a multi-layer synthetic covering that looks like a wooden floor. It is a panel based on chipboard or fiberboard, pressed in layers with specialized paper. A high-strength melamine film is applied to the outer surface. Based on your taste preferences, you can choose a variety of textures and colors that imitate any type of wood. Pros:
- more warm material, unlike tiles;
- resistance to abrasion (it is necessary to pay attention to the class of wear resistance); mechanical damage, dirt;
- small stiffness, giving a chance of falling dishes;
- Simplicity of installation (but it is necessary to watch tightness of joints);
- resistance to temperature changes;
- the price is 3-4 times lower than that of parquet.
Minuses:
- fear of moisture, which is impractical in a kitchen;
- special care products are required;
- the average service life is 7-10 years;
- susceptibility to swelling and creaking;
- attracts dust;
- it is necessary to have an even surface for styling.
2.Cork floor It is made from environmentally friendly material - cork bark. It is crushed and compressed under high pressure. The resulting material is called suberin and makes up approximately 45% of the finished flooring. There are several versions: floating (locking), technical and adhesive plug. Only the latter is suitable for the kitchen floor, since it maximally closes the access of moisture inside. Besides ecology, cork is characterized by softness and springy properties. Pros:
- elasticity and elasticity, due to which when walking, the load on the joints and spine decreases;
- there is no trace of heavy furniture;
- shock resistance;
- sound and heat insulation;
- there is no need to install a "warm floor" system;
- nice on tactile sensations, not slippery;
- Antistatic effect, which does not allow dust to settle on the surface;
- fire resistance;
- resistance to industrial chemistry.
Minuses:
- price (square meter - from 1 000 rubles);
- the surface of the cork is rough, it retains dirt, it is difficult to keep it in perfect purity;
- low strength: sharp objects will leave scratches, dents and chips.
3.Linoleum Soft floor covering made of polymeric materials. This is the most budget-friendly option, besides, it does not require special skills during installation. In case of damage, you can painlessly replace the old linoleum with a new one. Therefore, it has become such a popular material and is suitable for any room, including the kitchen. It must be borne in mind that linoleum can be both natural and artificial, so special attention should be paid to the smell. If it is quite strong, then doubts about the environmental friendliness of the position in question will certainly arise. Pros:
- very simple installation;
- moisture resistance, easy to clean;
- low price (cheaper than laminate);
- heat and sound insulation;
- strength, durability, practicality.
Minuses:
- non-environmentally friendly raw materials;
- when the temperature drops, it can deform or crack;
- inability to resist the influence of ultraviolet, which leads to fading;
- sensitivity to fats and chemicals, fire hazard;
- "Memory" from the touch of heels, claws of animals and other sharp objects will remain on the linoleum forever.
4.Tiles Made of ceramics or natural stone. It is considered the most practical and versatile material for the kitchen. Therefore, in most cases, according to the price-quality ratio, they choose it. In addition, the tile has such a wide range of color options that it suits any whim and design decisions. Pros:
- Long service life, resistance to deformation, dents;
- ecological compatibility;
- strength to abrasion, minor damage;
- fire resistance;
- moisture resistance;
- easy cleaning by any means.
Minuses:
- cold surface due to high thermal conductivity,
- low noise insulation,
- when the temperature changes, it is possible to peel off from the screed,
- Due to the fragility, the tile is not capable of withstanding heavy objects. At the same time, due to the rigidity, the fallen cup will not have any chance.
Rososhik Lyudmila, co-founder of the architecturalWorkshop Parralab: - Ceramic parquet or wood-like floor tiles imitating wood, solid boards, aged wood or parquet are becoming more and more popular among designers as a floor covering for kitchens or kitchen areas. Thus, we preserve all the advantages of ceramic tiles, such as strength, water resistance, ease of use, long service life, fire resistance, and we get a non-slippery "wooden floor" with ideal aesthetic characteristics. What is also important for me in the choice of material is environmental friendliness, since the house is the very place where we spend a significant part of our life. And ceramic tiles are made from clay fired in a kiln. And, of course, I would advise installing a "warm floor" system under the tiles as a necessary attribute, since the tile still has a drawback, such as coldness. Various textures and colors of wood from pure black to cross-sections of the trunk, imitation of exotic wood species make it possible to use ceramic tiles in any interior, significantly saving your budget. 
five.Self-leveling floor One of the most modern technologies for the production of floors in household premises. The common name for this technique is "liquid linoleum". It is a polymer coating, poured in a pre-prepared area. Due to the fluidity, this type of screed is evenly distributed over the entire area, and after the end of the work, a flat monolithic surface is formed. The more horizontal the rough plane, the less material will be required to create a perfectly smooth floor. And the seamless structure allows you to create absolutely any composition, up to three-dimensional images. This option is perfect for modern kitchens. Pros:
- durability and practicality;
- durability (40-50 years);
- resistance to abrasion;
- ease of operation and cleaning;
- environmentally friendly material;
- waterproofing, moisture resistance, fire safety.
Minuses:
- labor intensity of pouring and dismantling,
- Expensive.
6.Wood flooring (parquet or plank) The oldest and most traditional method of flooring. Now they choose it, more based on considerations of presentability of their interior. It is environmentally friendly, comfortable, stylish and noble. This semblance of classic English style cuisine is ideal for a country cottage. And modern technologies will make it possible to apply a special moisture-resistant parquet or treat the coating with an antiseptic. Pros:
- hardwood and hardwood; hardness and wear resistance;
- respectability;
- sufficiently warm floor;
- soundproofing.
Minuses:
- the need for regular cleaning of the coating;
- like a laminate, a tree does not like moisture;
- high susceptibility to scratching;
- cost (including installation);
- Temperature extremes are undesirable.
K. K.Radjabov, General Director of Dom-Stroy Service LLC; - When choosing a floor covering, you need to take into account several points at once: practicality, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness. Linoleum is not the most environmentally friendly material, but it is very practical. You do not need to have special knowledge and experience to fit it. Not afraid of moisture, easy to clean and has a low cost. Cork is by far the best ecologically sound solution. Possesses excellent sound insulation and thermal insulation. Gives the effect of a warm floor. With proper styling, it is not afraid of water, does not swell when it gets in. Laminate in the kitchen, in my opinion, is the most impractical option and not the most environmentally friendly material. Swells easily when exposed to water. Although there is, of course, vinyl laminate that is not afraid of moisture, but its cost is higher. Parquet board is a natural material, environmentally friendly, expensive, afraid of moisture, energy-intensive when working. Requires a specially prepared and perfectly flat laying surface, as well as knowledge and experience. dom-serv.com 
