What should the flooring be in the kitchen?What to choose: tiles, wood or linoleum? What should you focus on first and foremost – beauty, comfort or durability? We will help you figure this out and show you what to pay attention to When designing your own kitchen, one of the most important decisions will be the choice of flooring material. The market now offers a wide variety of options: tiles, wood, linoleum, laminate, cork, self-leveling floor. Most people, without going into details, will choose tiles. But if you look into it in more detail, it turns out that all of the listed materials are worth considering and have both pros and cons. Only by carefully studying all the aspects will you be able to get the perfect kitchen, the floor of which will delight you with its appearance and functionality for many years. Let's consider each of the options in more detail. 1. Laminate This is a multi-layer synthetic coating that externally imitates 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.
Cons:
- 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 flooring It is made from an environmentally friendly material - the bark of the cork tree. It is crushed and pressed under high pressure. The resulting material is called suberin, and it makes up about 45% of the finished flooring. There are several options: floating (locking), technical and adhesive cork. Only the latter is suitable for the kitchen floor, since it maximally closes off moisture access inside. In addition to ecology, cork flooring 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.
Cons:
- price (square meter - from 1,000 rubles);
- the surface of the cork is rough, traps dirt, and is difficult to keep perfectly clean;
- low strength: sharp objects will leave scratches, dents and chips.
3.Linoleum Soft floor roll covering made of polymeric materials. This is the most budget option, and does not require special skills during installation. In case of damage, you can painlessly replace the old linoleum with a new one. That is why it has become such a popular material and is suitable for any room, including the kitchen. It is necessary to keep 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 item in question certainly arise. Pros:
- very simple installation;
- moisture resistance, easy to clean;
- low price (cheaper than laminate);
- heat and sound insulation;
- strength, durability, practicality.
Cons:
- 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.Tile Made from ceramics or natural stone. It is considered the most practical and versatile material for the kitchen. Therefore, in most cases, it is chosen based on the price-quality ratio. In addition, the tile has such a wide range of color options that it suits any whim and design solutions. Pros:
- Long service life, resistance to deformation, dents;
- ecological compatibility;
- strength to abrasion, minor damage;
- fire resistance;
- moisture resistance;
- easy cleaning by any means.
Cons:
- 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 architecturalParralab workshop: - Ceramic parquet or wood-effect floor tiles imitating wood, solid boards, aged wood or parquet are becoming increasingly popular among designers as a floor covering for kitchens or kitchen areas. In this way, we preserve all the advantages of ceramic tiles, such as durability, water resistance, ease of use, long service life, fire resistance, and get a non-slip "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 lives. And ceramic tiles are made from clay fired in an oven. And, of course, I would advise installing a "warm floor" system under the tiles as a necessary attribute, since the tiles still have 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.
5.Self-leveling floor One of the most modern technologies for making floors in domestic premises. The generally accepted name for this method is “liquid linoleum”. It is a polymer coating poured onto a pre-prepared area. Due to its fluidity, this type of screed is distributed evenly over the entire area, and after the work is completed, a smooth monolithic surface is formed. The more horizontal the rough plane, the less material is required to create a perfectly smooth floor. And the seamless structure allows you to create absolutely any composition, including three-dimensional images. This option is perfect for modern style 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.
Cons:
- labor intensity of pouring and dismantling,
- Expensive.
6.Wooden floor (parquet or board) The oldest and most traditional method of floor covering. Nowadays it is chosen more based on the presentability of the interior. It is environmentally friendly, cozy, stylish and noble. This semblance of a classic English-style kitchen is ideal for a country cottage. And modern technologies will make it possible to use special moisture-resistant parquet or treat the coating with an antiseptic. Pros:
- hardwood and hardwood; hardness and wear resistance;
- respectability;
- sufficiently warm floor;
- soundproofing.
Cons:
- 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.Radzhabov, CEO of Dom-Stroy Servis LLC; — When choosing a floor covering, you need to consider several things at once: practicality, moisture resistance, and environmental friendliness. Linoleum is not the most environmentally friendly material, but it is very practical. You do not need to have special knowledge or experience to lay it. It is not afraid of moisture, easy to clean, and is inexpensive. Cork is, of course, the most environmentally friendly. It has excellent sound and heat insulation. It gives the effect of a warm floor. If laid correctly, it is not afraid of water and will not swell when exposed to water. Laminate in the kitchen, in my opinion, is the most impractical option and not the most environmentally friendly material. It easily swells when exposed to water. Although there is, of course, vinyl laminate, which is not afraid of moisture, but it is more expensive. Parquet board is a natural material, environmentally friendly, expensive, afraid of moisture, energy-intensive when working. It requires a specially prepared and perfectly flat surface for laying, as well as knowledge and experience. dom-serv.com
