Home » Misc » Best type of kitchen floors

Best type of kitchen floors


Best Kitchen Flooring Options Of December – Forbes Home

Renovating a kitchen can be a complicated process. Unlike a bedroom or living room with few built-in components or complicated wiring outside of a TV or computer set-up, kitchens have a lot of considerations; appliances, plumbing, and electricity all have to come together to make the most of the space and ensure that it works safely.

When considering a kitchen remodel, don’t forget your flooring. Flooring should account for approximately 7% of the remodeling budget if you’re tackling the whole kitchen. It needs to be done earlier in the process, too; painting your kitchen walls may come first, but flooring and cabinets need to come before the countertops, backsplash and appliances. While you may be able to DIY some of these, it’s always a good idea to bring in a professional flooring installation company to ensure the job is done perfectly. Pros and cons of some of the most common and best flooring options for kitchens are below.

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Flooring Contractors

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Find a Contractor

1. Hardwood

Getty

One of the most traditional options, hardwood is still a popular choice for kitchen flooring today. Although not waterproof, solid hardwoods with the correct finish are water-resistant. Spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid damage.

Hardwood floors can be refinished to revamp their look, which can especially come in handy if you’re doing a smaller kitchen renovation and don’t want to overhaul the entire floor to make it match the new aesthetic. Like tile flooring, hardwood can be laid in different patterns for added interest. Lately, reclaimed, recycled and environmentally sustainable hardwood has been of particular interest.

Pros

Cons

2. Tile

Getty

Tile is a go-to option for areas with frequent exposure to water, like kitchens and bathrooms. Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile are all common choices for kitchen flooring options. Tile comes in many sizes and colors and can be laid out in a variety of patterns to suit just about any design theme.

Tile is incredibly long-lasting but in some instances, the grout needs to be resealed to keep it stain-resistant. A DIY approach is not recommended when installing tile flooring.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are similar; ceramic tiles are even more durable than porcelain. Both are highly resistant to damage, although due to their hardness, dishes dropped on them will likely break, and because of their weight, they are not recommended for a second-story floor. Porcelain, in particular, is waterproof and easy to clean, but tile can be slippery and grout is prone to stains, so any messes should still be cleaned up right away.

Stone tile is more expensive and also requires more upkeep than ceramic or porcelain. With the proper care, it can be as tough as other types of tile and it’s also more likely to be non-slip because of its porous surface. Stone tile used in flooring includes travertine, marble, slate and granite.

Pros

Cons

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Using your home's equity is an easy way to fund your new floors!

Get prequalified in minutes by clicking on your state.

Learn More

3. Vinyl

Getty

Vinyl flooring has seen a resurgence in recent years because of the modern upgrades it’s received. Engineered vinyl flooring is now available in tiles and planks that mimic the look of hardwood and stone. It’s completely waterproof, has an almost springy feel underfoot, is incredibly easy to clean and is one of the best kitchen flooring options if you want to take the DIY route.

The biggest drawback of vinyl flooring is that it is softer than other options. Large appliances can dent or scratch it, so use caution when moving or upgrading things in the kitchen.

Pros

Cons

4. Laminate

Getty

Laminate has long been a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring. Like vinyl, it can mimic the look of hardwood for a lower cost; unlike vinyl, it is not always waterproof, but waterproof versions are now available as well. Also, like vinyl, laminate flooring is a great option for DIY installation because the planks can be attached to one another and glued down or “floated,” allowing them to be put over an uneven subfloor.

Pros

Cons

5.

Cork

Getty

Cork is a relatively new addition to the kitchen flooring market, and it’s another budget-friendly DIY option. Cork flooring can be purchased as peel-and-stick, glue-down or snap-together assembly to look like tiles or planks. Unlike many other flooring options, cork won’t feel cold to the touch, and it has a soft, even springy feel, which makes it a good option for absorbing sound.

Made from ground-up cork combined with resins, cork flooring is available in a variety of gray and brown shades. It resists stains but isn’t waterproof; spills should be cleaned up before they can soak in. However, if it does get stained, cork flooring can be sanded down and then retouched with stain and sealer.

The floor can be dented from heavy appliances, but it has the ability to spring back given time. It can also fade in direct sunlight, so closing the curtains during the brightest time of day is recommended.

Pros

Cons

Advertisement

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Flooring Contractors

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Find a Contractor

6. Concrete

Getty

Concrete flooring might sound too harsh for a homey area of the house, but it’s actually a very durable option for the kitchen. Stained concrete can be styled to look like wood, stone or even tile, and it can be sealed to be almost completely waterproof—although mats are still recommended near areas of excessive moisture, like in front of the sink or dishwasher.

One of the biggest perks of concrete is its price; it is a much cheaper flooring option, and since it can be designed to look like something else, it doesn’t have to look inexpensive.

Pros

Cons

Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support.

Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.

{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}

Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!

{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}

I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.

Best Flooring for Kitchens in 2021 – The Good Guys

Your kitchen is a rallying point for activities. So it should come as no surprise that when choosing flooring for the kitchen, you'll want something durable. Waterproof options are also a good idea to prevent floor failures from splashes and spills. These are the Top Flooring Options, built to last in your kitchen this year.

Picture this: It’s the holiday season. You’re having a bunch of friends and family over to celebrate and spread some merriment. The place is packed. There’s food, drinks, and everyone is having a grand ole time. 

Now picture this: Where is everyone standing and hanging out together?

If you’ve ever had your own place or been to a gathering, you probably pictured that good time happening in the kitchen. Let’s be honest – the kitchen is the central hub of the home and the place where everyone tends to congregate. It’s a high-traffic area, that is frequently exposed to spills, dirt, and moisture. Kitchens need to have durable, water-friendly flooring, but what is the best flooring for kitchens?

Everyone circle around the island, pull up a stool and grab a seasonal beverage, as we review the options for kitchen flooring. We’ll focus on what’s hot for 2021 in kitchen flooring, different types of flooring, which kitchen flooring is best, cheap flooring options and more. But first . . .

Special Considerations Underfoot

Unlike other rooms in the home, the kitchen gets used daily – either for food storage and preparation, group or family dining, or just as a rallying point for activities. Kitchens take a beating unlike any other room – save maybe the bathroom. It’s no coincidence that both are regularly exposed to moisture. From washing dishes, sinks, cooking, ice makers/refrigerators, to regular foot traffic, moisture is a real consideration that affects every surface in the kitchen, especially the floor. When choosing flooring for the kitchen, waterproof is key.

Due to the number of kid, adult, and pet feet meandering through the kitchen each day, a durable floor is also critical. Many kitchens double as a “mudroom” with an exterior entrance and all the fun, dirt, debris, and moisture one could track from the outside to beat up your floor.

Additionally, like in a bathroom, all that moisture on a hard surface can be an accident waiting to happen. Many waterproof flooring options get extremely slippery when moisture is applied to them. Non-slip options should be a consideration for any flooring installed in a kitchen. 

Remember, working with a flooring and remodeling professional, like your partners at The Good Guys, can help you identify considerations like these and put you on the path toward making the right flooring choice for your project. 

Recommended Flooring for Kitchens

Factoring in those aforementioned special considerations, and others such as price (who doesn’t love cheap flooring?!), let’s take a look at some of the types of flooring that work best in kitchens. 

Hardwood

Used for centuries in homes, hardwood floors continue to be a luxurious and popular choice for many homeowners. Solid hardwood floors are durable, warm, stylish and water-resistant. Yes. You read that right. Hardwood floors are not waterproof. Solid hardwoods, when combined with the proper finish are water-resistant, but long-term exposure to moisture will damage them. Spills should be cleaned as soon as possible; however, they can take more exposure than a laminate or engineered hardwood floor with composite or non-water-resistant cores can handle. 

Despite this “weakness,” hardwoods are a great kitchen floor. They can also add a variety of looks over the years of their life through refinishing either to match flooring throughout the home or to give the kitchen some standalone pizazz. Depending on the finish, hardwood floors can be slippery, however, design variables such as hand-scraped or distressed finishes or plank width/length can provide extra surface area for traction. 

Trends to watch for with hardwoods in 2021: lighter finishes and variety. While the deep walnut and cherry finishes are somewhat traditional and timeless, hardwood flooring for 2021 will feature lighter, more “natural” wood colors. Look for terms like “blonde” and “honey” to be big players, along with grays and whitewashes. Color variety is another continuing trend for 2021 – dark wood mixed with light and medium-tone woods provide an eye-catching floor. 

Much like lay patterns for tile, hardwood flooring can be laid in patterns for added interest. Your flooring pros at The Good Guys can also help you with pattern installation that is going to be on-trend for 2021 but timeless for the future. Herringbone, diagonal and other install patterns will continue to be popular choices, but wide plank and mixing plank widths are also coming back strong. 

Look for reclaimed, recycled, and environmentally sustainable choices to be popular varieties for hardwood flooring. 

Laminate

Generally speaking, like hardwood floors, laminate floors are a warm, water-resistant choice for the kitchen. As they are not waterproof, homeowners should remember to factor this in when selecting laminate. Laminates have long been a less-expensive way to get the look of traditional hardwood.  

HOWEVER – many flooring manufacturers are now offering “waterproof laminate” which features a rigid core made of waterproof material that adds strength and stability. These do away with the perceived weakness to moisture.

These new laminates still have the advantages of traditional laminates – including the flexibility of installation. Most laminate floors can be clicked together and either permanently installed (glued down) or floated, allowing for installation over uneven subfloors. 

Much the same as hardwood, lighter finishes will be the trend for 2021. Gray washes, light woods, and mixed colors will lead the style parade. Also look for longer plank lengths, even up to 36” and 48”, combined with wider planks (as wide as 8”!) to be a trend for all wood and wood-look laminates. 

Mimicking solid hardwood flooring’s distinctive colors and patterns remains a primary selling feature of laminate floors. Hand-scraped, distressed, rustic, and “reclaimed” looks will all continue to be popular for 2021, as homeowners continue to want unique, realistic looks for their floors. Pattern installs like chevron or herringbone remain popular and assist with achieving those looks. 

Tile

A classic and durable look, tile flooring has long been the go-to option for wet areas. If installed, grouted and sealed properly, tile can last a lifetime and sometimes longer. Tile is, anecdotally-speaking, the number one most popular option for kitchen flooring. A wide variety of kitchen floor tiles are available, so it’s helpful to understand the differences and narrow it down to a few options you prefer. 

Remember – your advisor at The Good Guys can help select the best kitchen floor tile option for your project and you should take them up on this offer!

Here’s a look at the most popular varieties of tile for kitchen floors.

Ceramic or Porcelain

One of the most durable, and most popular tile for kitchen floors or walls. Ceramic tiles are man-made from natural materials – in this case, clay – and baked to a finish. They are available in a wide variety of styles, shapes, colors, and patterns.  

Ceramic tiles can handle spills, splatters, and messes dished out in most kitchens. While they won’t damage the tile, these messes can stain grout, so where possible they should be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

Among the most popular style of ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are 100% waterproof and can handle just about any stain. They are harder than standard ceramics due to a higher temperature baking process which strengthens the tile for durability. That durability can make them slippery in some finishes, so be on the lookout for slip-resistant tiles or tiles with non-slip features like patterns or texture. These are found commonly on ceramic and porcelain tiles meant to look like wood or natural stone, which can be difficult to install, so give your professional partners at The Good Guys a call. 

Natural Stone

Another great tile option for kitchens is made of natural stone. On the higher end of the price scale, stone tiles (think marble, granite, etc.), like ceramic, are offered in a variety of colors and patterns, however, the most popular options tend to feature colors or patterns that occur naturally, rather than man-made. 

Natural stone tile does require a bit more care than porcelain or ceramic. Typically, they need to be sealed following install and re-sealed at regular intervals as time progresses. But with proper care, they are a beautiful and tough surface for your kitchen. 

For 2021, tiles continue to be popular as kitchen flooring. Especially those that mimic traditional hardwood floors, with planks and “grain” finish details. Larger tile sizes remain popular, as they have in previous years. Plank tile 8” wide by 48” long is a big hit, as are 12” x 24” ceramic tiles.  Despite these trends, subway tiles will continue to be popular, along with decorative mosaic tiles.  Traditional square tiles were trending down in recent years, but in larger formats, they are making a comeback in popularity! 

Mixing tile sizes and patterned installations will be popular again in 2021. Installing a room entirely diagonal, or even using a herringbone or chevron install to spice up a more traditional tile, are just a few of the options. 

Vinyl

Perhaps the most popular flooring option in recent years, and for 2021 shows no signs of slowing down. But many people looking for kitchen flooring don’t know anything about modern vinyl flooring. This is not the sheet vinyl your parents used to have; this ain’t mom’s linoleum!

Vinyl flooring today, which was formerly a purely commercial product, is most popularly offered in tiles and planks, and popular varieties of vinyl will be referred to as LVT or LVP. These stand for “Luxury Vinyl Tile” and “Luxury Vinyl Plank”. Basically – you’re getting good vinyl either in a tile or plank.  Most importantly in the vinyl acronym world is the reference to vinyl as WPC or SPC: Wood Plastic Composite or Stone Plastic Composite.  

WPC and SPC refer to the core of the vinyl flooring. WPC uses wood and polymers in the core for stability and strength; SPC vinyl has a stone/plastic composite core, made largely of stone dust, stabilizers, and PVC to strengthen the tile. Both feature a foam or cork backing to soften the floor underfoot and deaden sound. The vinyl layer from where the floor gets its name is the prominent feature of these floors, showing the near-infinite colors and patterns, and they’re topped with a wear layer for added protection from scrapes and spills.

Both vinyl types are fully waterproof and can be installed “floating” above the subfloor. They’re a great option for kitchens and even bathrooms, they can even be installed in basements -- if you have a kitchen in the basement. And let’s be honest, if you do, that’s awesome!

While vinyl flooring is a bit softer than some other options (looking at you, ceramic tiles!), it’s still a tough, durable flooring solution. Popular trends for 2021 include the most popular variant of the vinyl: wood look. Vinyl designed to mimic solid hardwoods is responsible for driving the vinyl market, offering customers the look of wood, with a softer underfoot yet extremely durable product.

Vinyl flooring will also continue to move toward lighter colors and finishes for 2021. Look for the whitewash and “blonde” coloring on wood look and gray on stone look vinyl.  Interesting “finish” patterns are also becoming more popular like wire, and vinyl is offered in a near-infinite array of colors and patterns. The same install patterns that are popular for hardwood will also be for your vinyl think chevron, herringbone or diagonal and look to install in a pattern or patterns to tailor the unique look to your home. 

Stained Concrete

Perhaps the most basic and most durable kitchen flooring option is stained concrete. Offering a sleek look that can be tailored to be modern or traditional, concrete is extremely durable and can be sealed to completely waterproof, which is necessary as concrete typically absorbs most fluids... Frankly, most homes have concrete sub-flooring in them today. However, you’ll need to work with a professional like your pals at The Good Guys to properly prepare the surface for staining. 

Concrete floors can be stained to look like wood, or stone, even some tiles. It can be slippery once finished, however, there are options to make the flooring less slick. So mats in the kitchen probably are a good idea wherever excessive moisture may occur – think in front of a sink. 

Look for lighter finishes, as we saw with the other flooring products. As there are no tiles to specifically install and arrange, the unique looks come from the finish, including the color and patterns.  

Stained concrete is one of the best cheap flooring options for 2021 as well, so it can be a great economical option for your kitchen floors. Want it to look like marble? No problem! Want hardwood or traditional ceramic tile looks? No problem!  

As you can see, 2021 is going to be an exciting year for flooring. If you’re interested in bringing some of that excitement home to your kitchen, contact your flooring pro partners at The Good Guys for help on choosing the best type of flooring for your job.

What is the best floor for the kitchen? Tips from PlazaReal in St.

Petersburg

During the overhaul of an apartment, the question inevitably arises of what is better to make the floor in the kitchen, what materials are preferable, what can and should not be used for this purpose. We give an overview of the most popular flooring and demonstrate how they look in the interior.

Which floor for the kitchen to choose so that it is waterproof, durable, beautiful and serves for many years? Focusing on the above description, the pros and cons of each material, it will be easy to understand which coating will be the best finishing option in your case:

Ceramic tiles

Clay tiles have been used for flooring since ancient Roman times. Until today, it ranks first among all types of floor coverings. True, it is not so easy to figure out what is better to put on the floor in the kitchen, because manufacturers offer an incredibly large number of variations of durable and beautiful floor ceramics.

Ceramic tiles for the kitchen on the floor are easily combined with any design style. You can choose an option for both classic and loft or high-tech. Interesting color panels are laid out from it. It is easy to choose an option that imitates natural granite, marble, expensive wood.


When choosing ceramics, you need to remember that wall tiles for the kitchen are not suitable for the floor, they are used only for wall cladding. As a floor covering, tiles with a hardness of at least 4–5 and a wear resistance index of at least 4 points are used. Then it will serve as long as the life of the building itself is calculated.

The floor is tiled with a trendy geometric pattern.

When figuring out which tile to choose for the floor in the kitchen, you need to remember one important point. This is a place where you can spill anything on the floor: water, juice, vegetable oil (remember Bulgakov's Annushka!). The smooth surface thus turns into a skating rink. If you are concerned about "safety", it is better to pay attention to matte, non-slip tiles.

In fairness, we note or clinker. And one more thing: due to the special hardness, when a glass or crystal wine glass falls on the floor, there are no chances of survival (unlike laminate and linoleum).

Porcelain stoneware

This modern material appeared only about 30 years ago and firmly "settled" as a floor covering in public buildings and offices. Manufacturers produce various versions of porcelain stoneware, many of which are suitable for laying the floor in the kitchen in private houses and even high-rise apartments.

If, for example, the question is which floor to choose for a country cottage, porcelain stoneware tiles will be in place. It has a fantastic density: in ordinary ceramics, the degree of water absorption is about 10%, and in porcelain stoneware slabs it is less than 0.5%. She is not afraid of frost, has no limitations, a couple of disadvantages of a ceramic floor. It is quite cold, so usually a heating system is provided for it. In this case, you can not use tiles made of red clay: only white is suitable.

Laminate

Wood is not the best choice for covering the floor in the kitchen, as it reacts to moisture and temperature changes. For those who cannot refuse it, or the design suggests a wooden floor, a laminate will be a good alternative. The material is a two-layer plate covered with a moisture-resistant film and decorated with natural wood on the outside.

Positive qualities: the laminate is difficult to scratch, it retains its shape and original appearance well. Withstands temperatures up to 28⁰C, under such a coating you can safely equip a warm floor. The variety of imitations is huge: from dark oak to light birch, smooth slabs and with a pattern of natural wood. Service life, depending on the class, 15–50 years.

When choosing what is best to lay on the floor in the kitchen, you need to take into account the shortcomings of the material. So, the laminate can not be filled with water when washing. If moisture seeps through the edges, the lamellas will begin to swell. Pay attention to special varieties for the kitchen: a special moisture-resistant wax impregnation is applied to such boards on all sides, including the ends.

Laminate flooring needs to be laid on a soft substrate, but even this does not save neighbors from noise if you do not like to walk around the house in soft slippers. Do not drop pans and knives on the floor - for all the strength of the material, chips and cracks cannot be avoided in this case.

Valuable quality of a laminate with locks: a damaged board can be easily exchanged for a new lamella, so you need to leave some margin when laying.

Linoleum

When discussing which floor is better to make in the kitchen, we will definitely remember the well-deserved and once very popular linoleum. You should not compare modern varieties of this material with those that were produced twenty years ago. It has a lot of advantages: economical, wear-resistant, has a wide range of colors, is not afraid of moisture.

If you decide that laying linoleum on the floor in the kitchen will be the best option, you need to keep in mind a few rules:

Today, linoleum is produced not only in rolls, but also cut into tiles. This expands the design possibilities, facilitates the installation of coatings and reduces the number of scraps. The appearance of linoleum is the most diverse. It successfully imitates natural stone, wood, and even metal. Stylish modern prints allow you to choose the flooring option for the kitchen in any style.

Cork floor

The original cork floor in the kitchen is not a cheap pleasure. However, it is a very durable and environmentally friendly material. Cork is obtained from the bark of a special type of oak that grows in the Mediterranean countries. It is warm, it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot, perfectly dampens sounds, does not absorb moisture, and is resistant to household chemicals. She is not liked by bugs and other rodents, she is not affected by mold. In addition, such floors have antistatic properties, which means that dust does not accumulate on them.

Cork is a rare and valuable material, so it is used economically. Two types of floor coverings are made from it. The first is chipboard panels covered with a thin bark veneer (0.5–1 mm). The second variety is more expensive: it is 100% natural material. The bark, crushed into crumbs, is pressed to obtain slabs, which are then decorated with veneer. Such a cork is called granular.

If you have finally found something to lay the floor in the kitchen and cork floor is your choice, please note that the plates must be varnished, or it will need to be applied after laying.

Remarkable quality of a stopper — elasticity. The cork floor is not only pleasant to walk on: it also has a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system, reducing the load on the spine.

Vinyl floor

A new interesting material for lovers of experiments - PVC vinyl tiles for the kitchen on the floor. This is a cross between tile, linoleum and laminate. It is quite flexible, easy to install, at the same time comparable in strength to stone, and its decorative possibilities are simply endless. In appearance, the floor can look like granite, marble, there are textures that accurately imitate wood or even leather.

Advantages of vinyl flooring for the kitchen:

Of the disadvantages of vinyl tiles, only its relatively high cost can be noted. But given the indisputable advantages, it fully justifies itself from all points of view. This is a great alternative to traditional ceramic tiles.

Screed

Under the self-leveling floor in the kitchen, two different operations are meant. More often they mean putting the base in order before laying laminate, carpet or linoleum. This is actually getting a thin, perfectly even screed using a dry water-soluble mixture. If it is brought to a liquid (spreading) state, it is often called self-leveling. Most "levelers" have a porridge-like consistency, which is distributed with a special tool.

The second option for self-leveling floors is the use of mixtures based on polyurethane or epoxy resins, on which, after pouring, you can not lay another coating. The composition can be transparent or colored, various decorative elements are added to it: figurines, shells, stones. As a result, they get a kind of 3D self-leveling floors, and the kitchen turns into a real work of design art.

Marble

Natural marble floor in the kitchen is beauty, elegance, style. But there will be a lot of trouble with him. Both during installation and in subsequent operation. The greatest advantage of marble tiles is that they instantly transform the look of the room, giving it a luxurious, regal look.

Marble has many natural shades, the unique pattern of the stone is not repeated. It is easily cut, polished, acquiring a soft satin sheen. From it you can make any decorative pattern, up to a stone mosaic. It is absolutely safe, environmentally friendly material. However, like any other, it has a number of disadvantages that make it difficult to use in the kitchen:

Marble is a porous material, so it is necessary to protect the plates from the penetration of household liquids. It is advisable to consult with experts on which flooring is best for the kitchen in order to prevent staining of the material. Marble tiles are thick and quite heavy. For it, you need to prepare a solid foundation, laying starts from the center of the room towards the walls.

In conclusion, we note which floor to make in the kitchen is up to you. The best solution is at the intersection of practicality, relevance in design and your financial capabilities.


Back to the list of tips

Which floor is better in the kitchen: a comparison review of 7 options

Choosing a kitchen floor for an uninformed person can be a difficult task. It is more important to give preference not so much to beauty as to practicality. And if possible, combine these two parameters. We suggest you deal with the flooring for the kitchen. Ideal floors in this room should be moisture resistant, easy to clean from household and food contaminants (fruit juices, wine, fat, etc.), have a durable surface, be decorative and fit into the overall design of the apartment (house). Many modern floor coverings meet these parameters in one way or another. Let's pay attention to the most suitable options, as well as analyze their advantages and disadvantages during operation. After that, you can decide for yourself which floors are best in the kitchen.

Linoleum – trustworthy flooring

Probably the most common flooring in kitchens is linoleum. This material is resistant to abrasion, not afraid of moisture and hot steam, easy to clean, it is unlikely to leave a mark after a heavy object falls. Linoleum is characterized by an inexpensive price, as well as a very simple installation method that you can master on your own. In addition, linoleum, thanks to a huge assortment, allows you to implement a variety of design ideas. It can be either a plain floor covering or an imitation of various more expensive materials: tiles, parquet, stone, metal.

The surface of linoleum can copy any materials, including ceramic tiles

The disadvantage of linoleum is the formation of dents at the location of heavy furniture (refrigerator, cabinets, etc.). However, if furniture is installed in your kitchen “for centuries” and you are not going to move it, then you should not worry about the presence of dents - you will only find out about their existence when you replace the flooring.

Ceramic tiles – the apotheosis of practicality

Ceramic tiles have a durable surface that is colorfast, resistant to abrasion and does not interact with household chemicals. Tile flooring will not react to excess moisture or even flooding by neighbors.

Modern tiles are very decorative and allow you to decorate the kitchen floor space in a variety of styles. Recently, tiles that copy various “noble” materials have become very fashionable: valuable wood, natural leather, precious metals, marble or other expensive stone.

For the kitchen, it is better to choose tiles with a matte or even embossed surface, which can protect you from falling, for example, if you spill liquid on the floor.

Matte black tiles accentuate the minimalist design of the kitchen

Unfortunately, along with the advantages, tiled flooring also has disadvantages. If a heavy object, especially a metal one, falls on the tile, it is likely that a crack will remain on the ceramic surface. In this case, to resume the decorativeness of the floor, the broken tiles will have to be changed. Another disadvantage of the tile is the cold surface, walking on which barefoot, especially in winter, is a controversial pleasure. This problem can be solved by laying a rug on the tile, or by installing an underfloor heating system under the ceramic surface.

Wooden floors - a symbol of nobility

In the kitchen, a wooden floor speaks eloquently of the good taste and well-being of its owner. Most often, we associate such a floor with parquet, but besides it, there is another fashionable material today - wooden tiles, made in the form of tiles of various shapes and sizes.

Wooden tiles - a way to create an unusual texture of the floor

When choosing a floor covering made of wood, you should give preference to hardwoods - they are more durable and durable. If you come across a parquet (tile) from a thermal tree - take it without hesitation. Wood aged at high temperatures is freed from all its shortcomings. It does not absorb, but repels water, does not shrink and does not swell, does not warp. At any temperature and any humidity in the kitchen, thermowood parquet will not lose its appearance and properties.

Laminate - MDF (chipboard) parquet

Laminate is often used for kitchen flooring as a natural but cheaper substitute for parquet. The basis of the laminate are chipboard or fiberboard dies, on top of which paper with the desired pattern is glued. Usually this pattern imitates wood, and of any species, including valuable and exotic ones. Some manufacturers try to be original and produce a laminate that is almost indistinguishable in appearance from ceramics, marble, granite, slate, etc.

The strengths of laminate flooring are the warm surface, easy maintenance and easy installation. Laminate could become one of the best floor coverings for the kitchen, if not for one “but”: it is afraid of moisture, and in the kitchen the humidity is very often increased. If liquid is spilled on the floor, it should be wiped up immediately. If you are flooded by neighbors and puddles stand on the laminate for some time, then the coating will be hopelessly damaged. Chipboard will swell and it will not be possible to restore the surface.

Laminate is practically indistinguishable from natural parquet

Concrete - why not?

Concrete is mainly used as floor covering for outdoor areas. However, modern decorative treatments allow concrete to be included in the list of indoor coatings. For the kitchen, such a floor would be a great choice - it does not react to moisture, or to elevated temperatures, or to force loads in the form of falling pans or metal table legs. This coverage is almost permanent. It can even be made warm if you put underfloor heating cables under the screed.

Concrete floor with colored inclusions - an interesting and practical solution

Concrete floors themselves look dull, so they use the acid staining process. This allows you to change the color of concrete beyond recognition, making it imitate marble, slate, granite, wood, ceramic tiles.

Cork floors - soft and warm

Cork floors are not yet widely used in our kitchens. To a greater extent, this is due to consumer distrust, which is based on the opinion that such soft floors are not durable and cannot cope with the high humidity of the kitchen. Actually it is not. The cork is absolutely not afraid of moisture, it does not swell, does not warp and does not rot. In addition, the cork has a remarkable softness and natural warmth.

Learn more