Hardwood flooring ideas kitchen
7 Best Wood Flooring Options for Kitchens
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and likely one of the rooms you spend the most time in. As one of the most used areas in your house, finding the right hardwood floors that can withstand all that foot traffic while still maintaining their beauty is essential.
Regarded as one of the most desirable and upscale types of flooring, hardwood kitchen flooring can have a high impact on the design and feel of your home — and not to mention the added resale value they offer.
When you’re deciding on which hardwood floors are right for your kitchen, it can be overwhelming sorting through the wide variety of wood types, finishes and styles you have to choose from. To help narrow down your options, here are the top considerations to keep in mind when deciding on your hardwood floors.
Considerations for Choosing Hardwood Kitchen Floors
Before you think about styles, colors and finishes, first consider the two main types of hardwood — solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. The type of hardwood you choose will impact factors such as installation, cost and upkeep, so keep your lifestyle considerations in mind when comparing options.
Types of Hardwood Floors: Engineered vs. Solid Wood
Solid unfinished hardwood planks are one of the best options for hardwood kitchen floors because they can be sanded and refinished repeatedly over time. If you opt for unfinished planks, however, you’ll need to include the staining and finishing process into your installation plans.
Pre-finished solid hardwood planks are an attractive option if you want to reduce the amount of work required for installation. Widely available at most manufacturers, these planks come already sanded, sealed, stained and finished.
If you want the look of natural wood floors but need something more durable, engineered wood planks are a good choice. Engineered wood is more moisture-resistant compared to solid wood, and can withstand fluctuating humidity and frequent spills.
Thanks to its plywood core, it also offers more stability —which is ideal if you have an uneven subfloor.
Other Considerations
There are a variety of factors that go into choosing a hardwood floor — from the tree species to various stains, finishes and textures. Different wood species are better suited for different households, each with varying price points, and different stains and finishes will dramatically impact the overall appearance of your kitchen floors.
Species
There are over 20 different species of domestic hardwood flooring, each with their own unique qualities, strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind that the wood species you choose will mainly impact the cost and durability of your floors, while stains, textures and finishes will mainly determine the style and appearance of your floors — although the wood species you choose will still impact all of these factors to a degree.
When choosing a hardwood species in terms of durability, think again about your lifestyle and how much stress your floors will undergo.
If you have kids or pets or you often host gatherings at your home, choose a hard species that can handle frequent traffic and activity — hickory, oak and maple are some of the most durable.
If your priority is the color and staining ability of the wood you choose, you might consider a softer species like pine, ash or birch, which tend to be lighter in color. A softer wood is better suited for homes with less activity, since they’re more prone to damage than a harder species.
Color
The color of wood you choose will influence the overall look and feel of your kitchen, so start by identifying a color range that speaks to your preferred interior style.
Lighter species like oak and maple can brighten up your space and make small rooms appear larger, and also work well with more modern interior styles. If you prefer a more classic look, dark-colored woods like cherry and walnut offer a style that leans more traditional.
Finish
Your flooring finish is important for preserving the beauty of your floors, and can also enhance the overall color and appearance of the floors you choose — the same wood species can look completely different depending on its finish.
Most finishes range between glossy, matte and satin.
Homeowners today have moved away from the once-popular high-gloss finish and are instead turning to more natural-looking matte finishes. For a clean and contemporary kitchen style, a matte finish is your best choice. If you prefer some shine on your floors, a satin finish is more subtle than high-gloss options while still adding dimension to your space.
Texture
Once you select a color and finish, you should think about the preferred texture of your hardwood floors. The texture you choose will also help enhance the overall look of your floors. There are four main types of texture: smooth, wire-brushed, hand-scraped and distressed.
A smooth wood texture is ideal for modern-contemporary interiors, and is one of the most widely used textures in homes. For something more subtle, wire-brushed textures add fine scratches in the wood to give floors a natural, lived-in look. To add more character to your floors, choose a hand-scraped or distressed texture for more prominent knots, scrapes and ridges.
Best Wood Flooring Options for Kitchens: 7 Ideas
The best wood flooring for the kitchen is unique to the needs of your home and the interior style you want to create. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the right floors, there are a few tried-and-true options that function well in the kitchen and suit a variety of styles.
Whitewash White Oak Wood Flooring
For a coastal-contemporary interior theme, go for white oak wooden floors with a whitewashed stain. The light-colored tones help reflect natural light across the room, which lends a bright and airy feel to your kitchen and highlights the wood grain in an organic, understated way.
Amber White Oak Wood Flooring
If you want the durability of white oak wood but your style leans more traditional, a warm-toned amber stain could be what you’re looking for. Often used to recreate the original flooring of historic homes, this classic hardwood floor style can complement colonial architecture and also makes a great backdrop for neutral home decor.
Brown-Toned White Oak Wood Flooring
For lovers of farmhouse-style interiors, white oak wood floors in a brown-toned stain can offer a beautifully aged appearance that adds warmth and authentic charm to your kitchen. For a more laid-back style, opt for a distressed texture with features like knotting. Aside from its classic beauty, the pronounced grain pattern of oak is great for hiding scratches and general wear and tear.
Dark Hickory Wood Flooring
Hickory is a go-to choice for wood flooring in the kitchen thanks to its superior hardness and shock resistance. This highly durable wood species is perfect for active families and busy households where high foot traffic is a given, especially in a busy area like the kitchen.
For a contemporary style with subtle elegance, choose a gingerbread stain that allows the wood’s natural variation to come through. This stain is perfect if you want your hardwood floors to have some character without looking too rustic.
Hand-Scraped Maple Wood Flooring
If durability is your priority, maple is a long-wearing wood species that works well in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen. While maple is generally lighter in color, it absorbs staining well and can be stained in darker colors if preferred. A hand-scraped texture adds dimension and character to your floors, and maple wood flooring is versatile enough to work with a variety of interior styles.
Distressed Pine Wood Flooring
If you want to create a lived-in, rustic look, distressed pine wood flooring is a popular choice. While it’s a softer wood species than something like oak, pine fibers compress over time and yield increased hardness and density. The inconsistency of the distressed texture is the perfect way to add charm and character to your kitchen floors.
Ash Driftwood Wood Flooring
Ash wood flooring is an excellent choice if durability is top of mind. This wood species is commonly used in the construction of baseball bats, which speaks to its superior resistance to impact and dents.
Aside from being highly functional, it’s also quite versatile when it comes to styles and finishes and works well with virtually any type of stain. Choosing a driftwood stain can give your kitchen a modern feel with a prominent grain that adds depth and character.
Does Hardwood Flooring Belong in the Kitchen?
While hardwood flooring in the kitchen was frowned upon in decades past, it’s made great strides over the years as flooring technology has advanced. Today, they’re an increasingly popular choice for kitchen floors not only for their natural beauty but also for their functionality.
While hardwood floors are known to be more high-maintenance than other flooring types, they’re still widely sought-after as a kitchen flooring of choice. With proper treatment and care, hardwood floors can last a lifetime — and they can be refinished or restained if you want to freshen them up after a while.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Since kitchens fall into a semi-moist category when it comes to moisture-prone areas, it’s certainly possible to make hardwood flooring work in the kitchen — it just depends on the nature of your home and lifestyle.
When deciding on which hardwood kitchen flooring is right for you, consider your home’s layout and your family’s everyday habits.
Do you have a busy household with pets and children where spills and messes are common? If so, consider your capacity for staying on top of frequent upkeep and maintenance, which will be necessary to keep the floors in good condition.
Hardwood flooring is a beautiful and long-lasting choice that looks great in the kitchen, and choosing the best wood floors is ultimately a matter of function and personal taste. For more in-depth resources on how to choose the right flooring that suits your unique needs, our flooring experts are available to answer any questions you have and offer personalized recommendations.
Wood kitchen flooring: Is wood flooring suitable for kitchens? The experts explain
(Image credit: Christopher Horwood)
Many homeowners are unsure whether wood kitchen flooring is an appropriate choice for their space.
Wood is an ultra-desirable flooring choice because it has natural beauty, appealing warmth, durability and a look that won’t be overtaken by the tides of interiors fashion.
But is it suitable for kitchens?
Both heat and moisture in the environment affect wood, causing warping, swelling and shrinkage and, because of the activities that take place in a kitchen, wood kitchen flooring is far more exposed to changes in temperature and humidity than if it was in a living space or a bedroom.
Many different kitchen ideas feature wood flooring, and today it looks the part in both contemporary rooms, farmhouse kitchens and a whole host of designs in between, showing that our passion for the material is undimmed.
So should wood be seen as a good kitchen flooring option? We’ve asked the experts to provide the inside track on solid and engineered timber, as well as reclaimed wood, so you can find out if wood kitchen flooring is suitable for your space.
(Image credit: Ward & Co)
Is wood kitchen flooring a good option?
‘The average kitchen is a hive of activity and a hub for families to congregate in during the course of the day, so it is essential the choice of flooring is able to withstand this,’ says Rosie Ward, creative director of London-based interior designers Ward & Co .
‘Wood is not only a lovely natural resource that looks fantastic, but it also has great durability and therefore suits most kitchens well. In terms of style, I often like to keep the same flooring from one room to another; it provides great continuity and flow across spaces as well as helping to achieve a level of calmness.’
Bear in mind, though, that both the composition of your household and the kitchen’s location in the home should inform your decision, as a wood kitchen flooring won’t be right for every situation.
‘Many of my clients love the touch of warmth that wood floors lend their kitchens,’ says Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design ‘But regardless of whether they are engineered or real wood, they can take a beating in this high-traffic space.
'Kitchen floors are faced with spills of all kinds and the occasional drop of a dish or utensil while cooking. If you prefer a pristine or highly polished look, I suggest steering away from wood floors in your kitchen.
' – so you may want to consider stone or different kitchen floor tile ideas instead.
‘On the other hand, if you prefer a home that celebrates a relaxed, casual environment, any dings and dents wood kitchen flooring might take on over time can play up the charm of a well-loved and oft-used kitchen.
'If you decide to go with wood kitchen flooring, consider a matte finish (in both real and engineered options) as it tends to be more forgiving, or go with reclaimed wood flooring that already has an inherent character from its previous life.’
The kitchen’s position should count when selecting the flooring too, because if it’s the space accessed directly from the garden, a pool deck or the garage, damp and dirt could get regularly tracked onto it, causing harm to the surface.
Although wood can be refinished if it’s damaged, these scenarios should give you pause before investing in a wood kitchen flooring, as other choices might need less care to stay looking their best.
Is wood flooring suitable for kitchens?
Yes, wood flooring is suitable for kitchens – but some wood types and constructions more than others. We've gathered the experts' advice on all types of wood kitchen flooring, and the answers to your wood flooring questions.
Solid wood kitchen flooring
(Image credit: Junckers)
If nothing but a solid wood floor appeals, is this a sound pick for a kitchen?
‘Wooden floors are a popular choice for kitchens as they feel warm under foot and lend an element of natural beauty to any style of kitchen, contemporary or traditional,’ says David Papworth, general manager of Junckers .
‘Shiny surfaces and hard materials often found in kitchens are instantly softened with a wood kitchen flooring; it gives the room a balance and makes it look more homely.
‘Hardwood timbers are perfect for busy living areas as they are durable and easy to maintain. There’s also the option to install underfloor heating, although not all solid wood floors are compatible: check with the manufacturer or installer.
’
Care of wood kitchen flooring needn’t be onerous. ‘Solid hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain,’ David explains. ‘Vacuum or use a clean, damp mop weekly and remove rubber heel scuff marks and other non-water dispersible marks with a little white spirit on a damp cloth. Remove any excess of water on the surface immediately.’
Engineered wood kitchen flooring
(Image credit: Ted Todd)
An engineered wood floor could be a suitable option for your kitchen. It is still a real wood floor, and can have an appearance that’s hard to tell apart from solid wood flooring. So how is it distinguished from solid wood kitchen flooring, and does it have any advantages over it?
‘The main difference is the way the planks of flooring are constructed,’ explains Robert Walsh, owner and founder of Ted Todd Fine Wood Floors . ‘Engineered wood floors are available as planks, parquet and panels and can be really transformative in any space.
'Created by layering sections of solid wood bonded together with the grain of each piece running in a different direction to its adjacent layer, it enhances the plank’s strength and resilience.
‘Layering wood in this way also reduces the wood’s natural tendency to expand and contract, meaning it is perfect to lay over underfloor heating and to use in areas like kitchens.
'The quality of an engineered wood floor is largely determined by the depth of the top layer of wood (known as the wear layer). The thicker the wear layer, the better in terms of look, feel, sound and durability.’
Reclaimed wood kitchen flooring
(Image credit: Ted Todd)
Reclaimed wood is another timber flooring option, and can be sourced either as solid wood or in the form of an engineered floor. But is it suitable for kitchens?
‘There is nothing to say that reclaimed and antique flooring shouldn’t be used in a kitchen area, especially if they have an engineered construction,’ says Robert Walsh. ‘It’s always best to avoid large build-ups of water when using a wood floor, but thanks to our in-house finishes, our antique and reclaimed woods are able to battle back against everyday splashes and spills.
‘Reclaimed pine, for example, is a wood that is naturally very clean and light, whilst having calming properties, making it ideal for use in the kitchen, whilst reclaimed teak resists rot, insects and decay, meaning it’s another lifetime choice for any room, including the kitchen.
‘Choosing reclaimed or antique wood kitchen flooring goes a lot further than buying character,’ he adds. ‘Reclaimed timber reduces environmental impact through re-use, helps to preserve forests by decreasing the need for new timber, and reduces any environmental footprints associated with producing a new wood floor.
'Wood flooring that has been crafted from reclaimed and antique wood not only gives the wood a new lease of life, it also prevents the need for more trees to be cut down.’
Wood lookalikes for kitchen flooring
If you’ve ruled out a wood floor for your kitchen because it isn’t appropriate for your kitchen’s location, your household, or your budget, there are alternatives which can create a similar look.
Luxury vinyl kitchen flooring ideas can have an authentic wood appearance thanks to today’s technology and manufacturing, and some vinyl tiles even have a wood-like texture. It is easy to clean and maintain.
Laminate has long been popular as an alternative to wood at a lower budget; it won’t look identical, of course, but can create a similar warm impression and caring for it isn’t hard work.
Consider tile, too. Both ceramic tile and porcelain can replicate the appearance of wood and prove easier to care for in a busy household.
What is the best wood floor for a kitchen?
The best wood floor for a kitchen will depend on your particular circumstances and lifestyle, but solid wood, engineered wood and reclaimed wood can all be possibilities.
‘One of the perks of solid wood is that it can easily be sanded down and re-finished in a different tone if you decide to re-decorate,’ says Rosie Ward.
‘I would go for a hardwood such as oak, maple or cherry, as opposed to a softwood, for greater longevity – it is worth the investment. Engineered wood is a more cost-effective option.
‘Reclaimed flooring is more expensive than solid wood, but is the most sustainable wood kitchen flooring option.’
When you’re selecting wood kitchen flooring, think too about aspects such as the color, thickness, size and style of boards, advises David Papworth.
‘A wide board wooden floor really comes into its own in a large, open space where the plank width and length can be fully appreciated,’ he explains. ‘A more rustic and country-style look can be achieved by using a floor with lots of natural variations in the timber.
'The grading of the timber flooring makes a big difference to the appearance of the finished room – a more natural or rustic grade can make a large area look interesting, whereas a more uniform floor can add a very polished look to modern kitchens.
‘While oak is a perennial favourite, very pale floors make the most of natural light by reflecting it back into the room.
Choosing a dark floor can create wow factor and a more dramatic look. Parquet floors, especially herringbone patterns, are becoming more and more popular and they are now available in many different timbers and finishes.’
What is the best flooring for a kitchen?
The best flooring for a kitchen is one that has the visual appearance and feel you prefer, and suits your household and lifestyle in terms of durability and maintenance.
Balancing up these elements when choosing the best kitchen flooring for you is crucial for a successful room design and flooring that stands the test of time.
Wood kitchen flooring is the right choice for many and solid wood, engineered and reclaimed all have their individual merits.
If you are concerned about kitchen flooring costs, though, a wood lookalike in vinyl, tile or laminate (see above) can provide a similar appearance on a budget, although the feel will be different.
If you want a flooring material from nature but wood isn’t right for your home, natural stone tile, properly sealed, is easy to look after and hard wearing.
Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.
Wooden floor in the kitchen, perhaps? - Articles
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Often, when it comes to choosing flooring for a kitchen, most people lean towards choosing tile or linoleum. These floorings remain popular for their durability, ease of cleaning, and moisture resistance. nine0003
However, the right wood, with the right finish, can be almost as strong and durable, absolutely just as easy to clean, and surprisingly just as resistant to moisture.
Plus, the advantage of a wooden floor is that it remains relevant despite the times and can make your kitchen a cozy place not only for cooking, but also for relaxing.
Wooden kitchen floor features:
Unique design
Ask just about any interior designer and they will tell you - if you can afford wood flooring throughout your home, then do it throughout your home, including the kitchen. It looks especially good in studio apartments or in kitchens combined with a living room.
Beautiful wood flooring continuously links one room to another, creating a unified space. In addition, wood is less fashionable than floor tiles, so a wood floor installed today will still be relevant 10, 20, 30 or more years from now. During this period, you can always update it, re-varnish it and give it a completely new shade, it will look like it was just laid. The tile replacement process, on the other hand, is a much dirtier, labor-intensive and costly process. nine0003
Color
In the kitchen, as a rule, we spend most of the time, and due to high traffic, scratches can quickly appear on the floor. Turning to the choice of color, designers recommend choosing light shades, firstly because scratches are less noticeable on a light surface, and secondly, light colors give a feeling of comfort.
Comfort
Walking on a wooden floor is not only more pleasant, but also healthier. In winter, tile can get quite cold, and due to the high density of the material, walking on it puts a lot of strain on the back and legs.
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Cost
To the surprise of many homeowners, the cost of a wood floor can be almost the same as a tile floor. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, tiles cannot be laid on a subfloor, and surface preparation leads to additional work and costs. Secondly, the purchase of the tile itself, high-quality and durable, suitable in color and texture, often costs more than a wooden floor that will meet the same requirements.
Care and washing
A quick wet mopping or vacuuming a couple of times a week and an occasional professional floor treatment will be enough to keep your floor beautiful for a long time. The main thing to remember is to remove dirt or liquid from the floor as quickly as possible and do not allow dirt to accumulate in places near doors, under carpets or pet bowls. Doing so can cause stains, scratches, and floor distortion, especially on hardwoods. nine0003
How to extend the life of a wooden floor in the kitchen?
Many homeowners find that wood flooring in the kitchen will not last long due to the high chance of spilling liquids and increased stress on the floor.
The truth is that any floor can be damaged by liquid, even tiles. Grout and low-quality tiles can stain or crack, while the wood floor can warp and scratch. Simple precautions can prevent these unwanted effects. nine0003
Choosing the Right Top Coat
The main way to protect your wood floor from damage is to choose the right finish. A water-based polyurethane varnish is perfect for a kitchen floor, as ironic as it may sound, this varnish repels water better than others.
Speak with a technologist to decide which type of flooring is best for you - ready-to-install wood flooring with a top coat or a floor that you need to varnish yourself. By choosing a finished floor, such as hardwood flooring, you will get a very strong and durable coating, but the joints will be susceptible to liquid ingress. If you will cover the wooden floor yourself after laying, then the seams can be treated with special mixtures for sealing, and then apply varnish to the entire surface.
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Use mats
In areas where it is almost unavoidable to get water on the floor, such as near the sink, dishwasher or refrigerator, you can put water-repellent carpets. Damage to your floor can only be caused by severe flooding or prolonged presence of moisture on the surface. There is no need to worry about drops of water or accidentally spilled sauce, you just need to eliminate the consequences as soon as possible.
We choose wood species responsibly
The kitchen in almost any house is a place with high traffic, the whole family gathers here, guests come, pets walk, so the type of wood on the floor should be chosen taking into account this feature, oak or ash is best suited. Of course, there are some exotic breeds that are stronger, but due to their characteristics, they can tolerate moisture, temperature changes, or other environmental conditions worse.
If you opted for a wooden flooring, then also think about what suits you best - solid wood flooring or parquet boards.
Each of them has its own merits. The floor from the array can always be cycled, thereby extending its service life and updating its appearance. But at the same time, wood fibers are more susceptible to deformation from moisture. For this reason, many people choose parquet board as a floor covering. nine0003
Note the cortical floor.
Cork flooring has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, moreover, it is quite often used for kitchen flooring. Firstly, because, like wood, it gives a feeling of comfort and at the same time it is much softer than solid wood, which is better for your bones and joints. A professionally installed cork floor will last as long as a tile floor. The process of replacing a cork floor is quite quick and less expensive compared to a tiled floor. nine0003
If you want to learn more about installing a wooden or cork floor, call 8 (495) 120-09-50 technologists with 11 years of experience will be happy to answer your questions.
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Which floor is best for the kitchen: choosing the material
The choice of flooring is wide: tried and tested for decades or recently appeared materials. Each of them has its own disadvantages and advantages. We've put together a variety of finishes. Let's characterize each one in detail to make it easier to figure out which floor is better to make in the kitchen.
Listed all the materials in a short video
How to lay the floor in the kitchen
What should the flooring look like
Six kitchen floor options
— Tile
– Porcelain stoneware
— Laminate
— PVC
- Tree
— Self-levelling floors
Short summary
As much as one would like to choose a cladding only for its appearance, one must take into account that the kitchen is a “hard” environment.
Food is prepared here, so temperature drops, steam and high humidity are not uncommon. It is undesirable that this negatively affects the condition of the coating. Sometimes the food burns or initially has a strong odor that can be absorbed into the pores of the finish. nine0003
During cooking, liquids may spill or food may fall on the surface: greasy or colored stains will remain, which should be easily removed. Even spilled water can ruin the wrong finish. Heavy and sharp objects also often fall on the kitchen floor. Dishes fall from time to time. In order for it to remain intact, there must be a soft finish on the floor, on hard glass or porcelain will scatter into small crumbs.
And one more very important point. The finish should be easy to clean and withstand multiple cleanings. In the kitchen, stains and dirt can be very serious here. Therefore, not only soft soap is used, but also aggressive chemicals. It is better if the pollution is not very noticeable. For example, on a very dark or very light glossy finish, every crumb or speck of dust is clearly visible.
It is better not to choose them for the kitchen. nine0003
Pexels
Despite the fact that the requirements for flooring are many, the choice of materials is very wide. We offer a selection of options from which it is better to make a floor in the kitchen.
1. Ceramic tiles
The traditional kitchen floor solution. It is moisture resistant, not afraid of temperature changes and pollution. It is easy to wash off stains, provided that the lining is not porous. The design of the tile is varied. It can be monophonic, color, imitate various materials. Tiles are available in various sizes. Ceramics are well combined in color, size and shape. nine0003
Tiles are not perfect. First of all, its surface is always cold. The situation is saved by the underfloor heating system laid under it, but this is not always possible and beneficial. Also, ceramics are brittle. A dropped knife or heavy pot will almost certainly chip or even split the tile.
It can be replaced, but it's troublesome. Glass or porcelain dishes will not withstand a fall on the tile.
But, in general, ceramic tiles are one of the most practical solutions. It is not afraid of water and pollution, without loss of appearance withstands numerous cleanings and washings. The price is quite affordable. nine0003
Design: Anna Elina. Photo: Evgeny Gnesin
Design: Anna Elina. Photo: Evgeny Gnesin
2. Porcelain stoneware
This is a type of ceramic tile with increased strength and durability. When laid, it easily tolerates blows; it is rather difficult to split or chip off a fragment from it. Therefore, falling knives and heavy utensils are not terrible for porcelain stoneware. Insensitive to moisture and temperature changes. Can be installed in damp areas. Available in different designs: imitations of natural wood or stone are good, but there are other options.
Combined in size, shape and color. nine0003
The disadvantage of porcelain stoneware is that the surface is cold to the touch. Walking barefoot on it is unpleasant, but the underfloor heating system saves the situation. If it is not possible to lay it, then it is better not to mount porcelain tiles on the ground floor or in a private house. The material is very hard, which means that the dishes that fall on it will break into smithereens. Plus, it's slippery. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a tile with anti-slip treatment.
Porcelain stoneware is well suited for the kitchen. It is easy to clean, does not deteriorate from water, does not absorb odors, durable and beautiful. The price is slightly higher than that of ceramics. nine0003
Design: Ksenia Konovalova. Photo: Olga Shangina
3. Laminate
These are sandwich panels based on wood-based interlocking panels. Easy to fit, warm to the touch, easy to care for.
It's nice to walk on them. Dishes that have fallen on the laminate will most likely remain intact. The colors and textures are very different, usually it is a good imitation of natural wood of various species, cork surface. High-quality models are durable, environmentally friendly, do not fade or deteriorate under the influence of moisture. nine0003
The weakest point of laminate flooring is the interlocks. This is where moisture can get inside the base. This leads to irreparable damage to the coating: it deforms and swells. In addition, for inexpensive models, the edges of the laminated film move away over time. They lift up and fly off, revealing the base. The panels are not sufficiently resistant to mechanical damage. For example, a knife falling from a height will certainly damage the surface.
Laminate panels are a possible but not the best choice for kitchen flooring. They deteriorate from moisture, are sensitive to shock, and do not tolerate frequent washing. It is best to combine them with other coatings.
For example, lay out strips of porcelain stoneware near the kitchen set, and decorate the area under the dining table with laminate. nine0003
4. PVC tiles
PVC tiles are made from polyvinyl chloride with various additives. The most famous variety is quartz-vinyl cladding. About 80% quartz sand is added to it, which gives increased strength. The properties of vinyl tile are closest to linoleum. It is quite soft, moisture resistant, pleasant to the touch, resistant to mechanical stress. It cannot be split, but you can get dents under heavy furniture. Two types of PVC tiles are produced: with locking joints and for laying on glue. There are a lot of design options: sizes, shapes, textures and colors are very different. nine0003
The material has few significant drawbacks. One of them is careful preparation for installation. The base must be perfectly level and dry. Otherwise, all defects will be noticeable after installation.
For castle models, these requirements are less stringent. Another disadvantage is the high price of PVC tiles. But we must understand that it will last a long time and will not lose its attractive appearance and properties during the entire period of operation. If repair is still required, the damaged element can be easily replaced.
Vinyl is a good choice. He is not afraid of water, frequent cleanings, does not deteriorate from aggressive chemistry. Soft lamellas are pleasant to the touch, retain sound and heat. nine0003
Pexels
5. Wood
Very beautiful and environmentally friendly option. Hardwood floors are strong and durable, provided they are properly installed and treated. It can be parquet, planks of different shapes or boards made of wood of different species. Depending on the type of wood, the properties of the finish vary slightly. But in any case, it is a stylish and expensive decor, warm and pleasant to the touch.
Scratches and other defects that appear on its surface can be removed without a trace. nine0003
The main disadvantage of wood is its high hygroscopicity. It absorbs moisture and under its influence begins to deteriorate. A fungus or mold appears, the tree rots and collapses. Therefore, regular treatment with special solutions is required. In addition, the wooden surface burns, it must be protected from fire. Strong mechanical influences are undesirable. There may be chips and scratches. True, it is quite easy to get rid of them.
With all the advantages of the material, without special treatment, it cannot be laid in the kitchen. Changes in humidity and temperature will quickly make the wood unusable. It is best to choose a thermal tree. This is the name of the material processed under special conditions. It is most resistant to moisture and other adverse factors. nine0003
Design: Natalia Shirokorad
Design: Victoria Baikova.
Photo: Natalia Vershinina
6. Self-leveling floor
This is a liquid self-leveling mastic poured onto the base. Usually on a concrete screed. After hardening, a durable wear-resistant coating is formed. The self-leveling floor is immune to impacts, you can put massive furniture on it, drop sharp and heavy objects. There are no traces left. It is completely sealed and waterproof. It is very easy to clean because it does not attract dust. The surface is smooth and easy to clean. You can use any household chemicals. nine0003
Liquid mastics come in a variety of colours. An interesting decor is obtained using the so-called 3D-paintings, but you should be careful with the choice of image: the image of an aquarium, a forest or mountain path, a desert is already completely irrelevant and can reduce the cost of the interior.
A significant disadvantage of flooring is the dependence on the quality of installation. Even a high-quality mixture can ruin unskilled installation.
