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Which floor is better to lay in the kitchen. The floor is learned by comparison: choosing flooring for the kitchen. Porcelain tiles - an alternative to ceramic tiles and natural stone

The kitchen is the most popular and accessible place in the apartment, so it should be as comfortable and functional as possible. In many ways, the comfort and coziness of the kitchen depends on the type of flooring in it.

Exists whole line kitchen floor requirements to consider. The main ones of these requirements are:

• moisture resistance;
• resistance to mechanical stress;
• durability and wear resistance.

Many housewives also add such important requirements as the aesthetics of the floor covering and ease of care for it.

The modern flooring market offers a wide range of kitchen floors that largely meet these requirements, but differ in their qualities and scope of application.

Yes, alone floor coverings are great for low-traffic kitchens, while others are designed for larger food service kitchen spaces.

So what flooring should you choose so that it meets all the listed requirements and is optimal for your kitchen?

The most popular coatings are tiles and porcelain stoneware; they are easy to maintain, and a wide selection of colors and design solutions will make the floor beautiful and original.

This type of flooring has its advantages and disadvantages.

Its main advantages are:

• easy to clean and resistant to even the most toxic detergents;
• the possibility of combining the kitchen area with the corridor through flooring and installation of heated floors;
• environmental friendliness and fire resistance;
• moisture resistance and wear resistance, these materials are not affected by direct sun rays.

The disadvantages of such coverage will be:

• preliminary preparation for installation and its complexity, the need for a concrete screed;
• poor thermal conductivity, cold floor effect;
• hardness and slipperiness of the coating – wet tile increases the risk of falling and adds slipping, and its hardness does not give fallen objects the opportunity to survive.

Tiles and porcelain tiles are excellent as flooring for apartments multi-storey buildings old model and are the most common type of kitchen flooring in them.

If 20-30 years ago the flooring in the form of linoleum in the kitchen was boring and was a piece of dense roll material on top of the main one concrete screed, then now linoleum provides an opportunity to move away from boring old ideas about it.

Modern linoleum manufacturers offer a wide selection of different types, which can be made from both natural materials and polymers such as polyvinyl chloride.

Linoleum, like tiles, also has its pros and cons, so not everyone considers it optimal for the kitchen.

Among its advantages:

• ease of installation and low price - no unnecessary joining seams, you buy the required size of coating in a roll;
• a wide range of textures and colors, for the kitchen - the best would be a rough anti-slip texture;
• relatively high moisture resistance and antibacterial properties of natural linoleum.

But the disadvantages will make you think about the profitability of such coverage.

They are as follows:

• fragility, fading when exposed to sunlight;
• cheap types of linoleum are not suitable for the kitchen, as they are not environmentally friendly, do not have moisture and wear resistance, and dry out when the temperature changes;
• synthetic linoleum is very flammable and releases toxic substances when burned;
• linoleum is susceptible to mechanical damage; when objects and drops of hot oil fall on it, various defects appear that can only be eliminated by replacing the floor covering.

However, linoleum in the kitchen is often found in many apartments and private houses.

Relatively new to the flooring market are self-leveling and cork floors; they are no less popular than tiles and have the necessary properties for their use in the kitchen.

Although cork flooring has the most large quantity advantages, it is quite rare as a floor covering in the kitchen. The main reasons are the limited availability of the product and information about it on the market, as well as the widespread false belief that such a floor is only suitable for rooms with low humidity.

Its advantages say otherwise:

• cork is a fireproof material, it is not flammable and does not emit toxic substances when burned, like linoleum;
• cork floor – environmentally friendly and cozy;
• You can walk on the cork floor barefoot, it is warm;
• cork is anti-allergenic, almost no dust settles on it, which reduces the need for wet cleaning;
• cork flooring has high noise-insulating and shock-absorbing properties;
• cork has a healing effect on those who have problems with the musculoskeletal system.

This type of floor also has its disadvantages, but they are not so great:

• small selection color options;
• high price, although it is justified by the qualities of the material;
• cork porosity - small debris getting into the fibers of the floor covering, which requires careful care without the use of toxic household chemicals, and this makes it difficult to keep the floor clean;
• the need for reliable insulation of the joints between the slabs, since water getting between them will provoke their divergence.

This flooring is perfect for kitchens in country house with sufficient financial resources.

Another new type of flooring is self-leveling floors. TO self-leveling floors sometimes referred to as liquid linoleum, which is installed according to the same principle.

Like all types of flooring, their use in the kitchen has its own nuances.

The disadvantages of self-leveling floors are the complexity and labor-intensiveness of its installation, the large number preparatory work. This is a rather expensive type of flooring, and its dismantling is very problematic.

Due to the sparse design of self-leveling floors, they are suitable for kitchens of a narrowly defined style - modern.

This type of coating also has a lot of advantages - it is easy to use, waterproof and durable (lasts for at least 40 years!), fireproof and is not afraid of temperature changes. What is not the ideal flooring for the kitchen? But still, the price and small selection of design solutions repel consumers, despite all the practicality of the coating.

Among all the known floor coverings for the kitchen, pseudo-wood and wooden floor coverings remain - laminate, wooden flooring, parquet and carpet.

As a kitchen flooring, carpet is very questionable, since it has only two worthwhile qualities for this purpose - soundproofing quality, which is not so necessary, and thermal - it is a pleasant warm coating that eliminates the problems of slippery floors.

In all other cases, carpet is absolutely impractical and is appropriate only in combination flooring options.

The fashion for combined floors in the kitchen has appeared relatively recently and has already won many supporters of this approach.

Combined floors not only allow you to implement bold design steps in the design of a kitchen space, but also carry functional load. With their help, the kitchen can be easily divided into zones - a working part and an area for eating and relaxing.

By using combined flooring, you can visually increase the space of a small kitchen and create a logical and functional arrangement of furniture on top of the flooring.

Combined floors imply a combination (combination) various types coatings for optimal distribution of their functions.

You can easily combine a cozy and soft carpet in the recreation area with tiles in the work area, or lay any type of wooden floor in the eating area, combining it with linoleum.

Wooden floors, laminate and parquet - the pros and cons of flooring

If it concerns wooden floors, parquet and laminate, then their use in the kitchen will have the following advantages:

• a huge selection of textures, colors and sizes, selection and layering of natural wood-based materials;
• environmental friendliness and natural comfort in the kitchen;
• pleasant tactile sensations from the floor covering, greater heat capacity of materials than tiles, compatibility with a heated floor system.

But the disadvantages will not please you - the relative fragility of such floor coverings for kitchen areas is the main one. Wooden floors in the kitchen the best option, since they are exposed to moisture and temperature changes, are easily flammable and lose color saturation when exposed to sunlight, and they are not cheap.

Whatever kitchen flooring you choose, pay attention to the quality of the materials from which it is made. Carefully evaluate the conditions in your kitchen, consider its size and the type of building in which it is located.

Expert advice

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To Oil paint does not dry out during storage and so that a film does not form on it, place a circle of thick paper and “fill it with a thin layer of drying oil.

"The polyethylene film covering the balcony or greenhouse is protected from being torn off by the wind by a string stretched on both sides at intervals of 10-15 cm."

"To work with concrete mixture it was easier, clay is usually added to it, but clay reduces the strength of the mixture. Add a spoon to it washing powder based on a bucket of water. "

"To prevent the screw, the head of which is hidden behind the obstacle, from rotating along with the tightened nut, you need to throw several turns of thread or thin wire over it and lightly tighten the ends. Due to friction, the screw is held well in place. The ends of the thread can be cut off after tightening."

"You can cut out a birdhouse entrance without a brace. It is enough to split the front side of the board in the center and cut out the half-holes with a chisel or hatchet required size, and then reconnect the halves. "

Wooden screw plugs crumble and fall out of the wall. Take your time to cut out the new plug. Fill the hole in the wall tightly with nylon from an old stocking. Using a nail of a suitable diameter heated red hot, melt a hole for the screw. The fused nylon will turn into a strong cork.

"It is not difficult to turn a carpenter's level into a theodolite by equipping it with an aiming device from a slot and a front sight."

"In order for two strips of linoleum to lie end to end, it is convenient to use a self-adhesive decorative film, placing it under the base of the noleum."

"To ensure that the nail goes in the right direction and does not bend when driven into a deep hole or groove, it should be placed inside the tube, secured with crumpled paper or plasticine."

Before drilling a hole in concrete wall, secure a piece of paper just below. Dust and concrete fragments will not fly around the room.

"To cut a pipe exactly at a right angle, we recommend doing this. Take an even strip of paper and screw it onto the pipe along the sawing line. The plane passing through the edge of the paper will be strictly perpendicular to the axis of the pipe."

"Roll over logs or wooden beams A simple device will help - a piece of motorcycle or bicycle chain, supplemented with a hook on one side and secured to a crowbar on the other side. "

"In order for one person to be able to work with a two-handed saw, we recommend using a simple technique: move the saw handle from the top to the bottom position."

You can cut a piece of slate of the required size with a saw, but it is better and easier to punch holes along the line of the intended cut with a nail at a frequency of 2-3 cm, and then break off the slate on the support.

" The best way glue the tile to the wall: take bitumen, melt it and drop just four drops on the corners of the tile. Stuck on dead. "

When making shaped window casings, it is most convenient to cut shaped holes with a hacksaw with a sharpened blade.

"Making stained glass is a long and difficult task. You can make a quick imitation of stained glass. To do this, take thin slats or rods of vines, glue them to a sheet of glass, and then paint the glass and cover it with varnish."

"If you don't have a dowel at hand, you can make one from a piece plastic tube. The body of a ballpoint pen may also be suitable for this purpose. Having sawed off a piece of the required length, make a longitudinal cut, about halfway, and the dowel is ready. "

"It is known how difficult it is to hang a door when working alone. But just shorten the bottom pin by 2-3 mm and the work will become much easier."

"A very durable, non-shrinking and fairly waterproof putty is made from bustylate mixed with any powder - chalk, gypsum, cement!, sawdust, etc."

"If you need to screw a screw into the end of a particle board, drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw, fill the hole with Moment glue (not epoxy!), screw the screw in a day later. The board does not delaminate. However, the resulting connection can only be placed under load through day. "

"It is more convenient to secure portraits, photographs, paintings in wooden frames with glass not with nails, but with the help of pushpins bent at right angles. The pins are gently pressed with a screwdriver. Compared with nails, the danger of splitting thin frames is reduced to a minimum."

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When starting a kitchen renovation, many are faced with the problem of choosing flooring. The performance characteristics of a particular material are often in doubt. Therefore, the risk of putting the wrong covering on the floor can result in the creation of an inaccurate picture of the design or simply rapid damage to the material.

We’ll look at what kind of coatings are ideal for arranging a kitchen floor and advice on which interior is best to install this or that material in this article.

Ceramic tiles

The most familiar and proven material for floor finishing since the times Soviet Union. Tile tiles have high strength and hardness. Therefore, such a floor covering is absolutely not afraid of mechanical influences, impacts, abrasions, and UV rays. In addition, ceramic tiles are inert even to large amounts of water on the floor, not to mention accidental drops that fall on the floor. Tile also reacts better than others to spilled food on the floor. Wine, fat, ketchup, etc. are washed off with a warm soapy solution without forming unsightly stains on its surface.

The disadvantages of such a practical floor covering are:

• Moderately high price (especially if the tiles are purchased from well-known European manufacturers);
• Some dirtiness of the work when laying the material;
• Coldness of the tiles. If you make a tiled floor, then walking on such a floor with bare feet is uncomfortable. The situation can be corrected using indoor slippers or a “warm floor” system installed during the renovation phase.

Important: ceramic tiles look best on the floor of a kitchen made in classic, Provence or country styles.

Porcelain tiles

Coating identical tiles, but having higher strength and higher wear rates. Porcelain stoneware slabs are quite massive and have larger parameters, unlike tiles.

This type of kitchen flooring can be made in a wide variety of designs, from a single color to an intricate pattern applied to each slab.

Porcelain tiles, like ceramic tiles, are not afraid of moisture, temperature changes, mechanical stress and sunlight. The material is not subject to deformation and interacts well with any aggressive detergents.

It is better to lay porcelain tiles in kitchens in modern or classic style. Solid slabs look ideal in spacious and bright kitchens with large furniture, which allows you to... unusual interior in room.

The disadvantages of field coverage are:

• Price;
• Coldness of the stone (but this can be corrected either by underfloor heating or by wearing slippers on your feet).

Important: it is best to choose porcelain stoneware slabs with a corrugated or rough surface. This will avoid possible injury in the kitchen on a wet floor.

Cork floor

This type of coating is an ideal option for finishing a kitchen floor. Moderately elastic cork slabs have excellent thermal insulation properties and are very pleasant to use, which allows you to make the kitchen cozy. Walking on cork floors is a pleasure.

Cork slabs resemble laminate (if laid using the interlocking method) or PVC tiles (if laid using the adhesive method). Both types of cork coverings are good and unpretentious.

Cork flooring for the kitchen responds well to temperature changes, mechanical loads and UV rays. The only disadvantage of this coating is its fear of water. As a result of a large amount of moisture getting on the floor, the cork swells and turns into crumbs. To prevent this from happening, after installation the cork floor is covered with two or three layers of special acrylic or water-dispersion varnish. The product protects the floor from wear and the negative effects of water.

Important: for the kitchen it is still better to choose a cork with adhesive fastening. The glue additionally protects the grooves between the plates from accidental moisture.

Linoleum

Ideal for kitchen flooring. The coating is practical, durable, resistant to moisture and temperature changes. In addition, the cost of linoleum is modern market the most affordable compared to all other floor coverings.

Modern technologies make it possible to produce linoleum, the durability of which is designed for 15 years or more. Especially it concerns natural material, made from linseed oil, jute fibers and wood flour.

Designers offer the modern buyer flooring with imitation parquet, laminate, marble, natural stone or ceramic tiles. Which of the above is better should be determined based on the intended interior.

Important: when buying linoleum, you can smell it. Natural coating the floor will smell like oil and natural ingredients. PVC linoleum will have a specific synthetic aroma.

Laminate

Moderately good coverage, but for very neat housewives. Laminate has long and firmly gained a position in the market finishing materials and is one of the most sought after. Its durable structure allows it to withstand fairly high mechanical loads. Especially if corundum was added to the structure of the protective top layer during manufacturing.

In addition, laminate is a warm and comfortable coating. It creates coziness and warmth in the kitchen.

The weak point of laminate is its fear of water. Spilled liquid that gets into the joints between the boards can significantly damage the wood-fiber material from which the laminate is made.

Advice: if you really want to lay laminate flooring in the kitchen, then it is better to make a combined floor. That is, in work area lay porcelain tiles, tiles or linoleum, and dining area Cover the kitchen with a laminate that matches the color of the tiles. This solution looks original in any interior. The main thing is to choose the right pattern on the tiles and the shade of the laminate.

PVC tiles

This floor covering is similar to linoleum. The only difference is that the flooring material is made in the form of modules. Sometimes such a covering is called “modular PVC flooring”.

PAH tiles are highly wear-resistant and inert to water, temperature changes or any contaminants. When laying PAH tiles, they form a monolithic coating. Paul from modular tiles easy to clean and can be installed on a “warm floor” system. Tip: depending on the color and pattern of the tiles from PVC is better lay in modern, high-tech, art deco interiors.

Self-leveling floor

3D floor installation technology allows you to create truly original solutions in the kitchen. The self-leveling floor system involves laying a three-dimensional image on the base and pouring it special means based on polyurethane or epoxy resin. Making such a floor is quite simple, but expensive. For example, a kitchen with an area of ​​2 to 5 m2 will require you to spend $600 or more.

Self-leveling floors are a monolithic coating that is not afraid of water, temperature changes and mechanical loads. The service life of this floor is 40 years or more. At the same time, dismantling the coating is quite difficult.

Important: a self-leveling floor can also be installed on top of a “warm floor” system.

Parquet

The worst solution for the kitchen. Although parquet board is an environmentally friendly and attractive material, it is still better not to use it for the kitchen. This coating is resistant to water and fire. And any debris falling on the kitchen floor will eventually clog into the joints and cracks between the parquet planks. Even varnish won't save you here. After a few years, you will have to thoroughly clean and renew the coating.

When choosing a floor covering in the kitchen, you should take into account many nuances. An ideal kitchen floor should not be afraid of moisture and grease, but must be resistant to accidental damage. It will be good if it is easy to wash, and at the same time stains will not form on it. We will tell you what you should pay attention to when choosing flooring for the kitchen.

The floor in a modern kitchen interior plays two equal roles: a comfortable and practical covering and decorative element situation

How to design a kitchen floor: the dilemma of aesthetics and utilitarianism

Many people think that the choice depends only on the style of the interior. This is not entirely true. Make sure there is a suitable base for the cover you choose. After all different coatings fall on different surfaces. Are you ready to make a floor from scratch, or want to put a coating on what you already have?

The service life of the kitchen floor depends on the preparation of the surface. Before installing the coating, be sure to consult with a specialist. If you want to install a heated floor, you need to use only those types of floor coverings that are designed for heated floors (they have high thermal conductivity).

The floor in the kitchen can be laconic and serve only as a background for kitchen furniture, decor and finishing of walls or ceilings. Or maybe it itself will become an element of decor and the pride of the apartment owners. Mosaic or stone floors look very beautiful and unusual.

Many designers recommend combined flooring for the kitchen. Two or three floor coverings are used depending on the functional area. For example, in the working part of the kitchen the floor can be tiled with ceramic tiles, and in the dining area you can make a natural floor made of wood, parquet or laminate. This option is well suited for the living room kitchen.

Linoleum on the kitchen floor firmly holds its leading position due to its high decorative characteristics, strength and low cost

Basic requirements for kitchen flooring

Considering that the kitchen is the room in the house that is used most often, its floors must meet certain requirements.

• Water resistance

The kitchen is the second room (after the bathroom) where the floors are often exposed to moisture. These are fumes during cooking, splashes when washing dishes and food, and, of course, frequent washing the floor itself. Therefore, it is highly desirable that the floor is waterproof.

Since heavy utensils are often used in the kitchen, the floors must be shock-resistant. After all, these dishes can fall. An ideal floor should withstand the impact of a cast iron frying pan or cauldron.

• Hygiene

The floor should be easy to clean from adhering dirt and grease. If you cook frequently in the kitchen (at least once a day) and do not wash the floors daily, a sticky greasy film will form on the floor (especially near the stove). It's easy to remove. You need to use abrasive powders, brushes or scrapers. Not every floor can withstand such washing, so it is better to choose floors made from materials that do not contribute to the formation of such a film. For example, more often a fatty film forms on linoleum than on ceramic tiles. But if you are used to wiping the floor daily or several times a day (after each cooking), this aspect should not worry you.

• Wear resistance

The floor should be able to withstand scraping if necessary. In addition, during the cooking process, the housewife moves around the kitchen, covering kilometers. Therefore, floors must be abrasion-resistant, durable and reliable.

Which floor is best for the kitchen: deciding on the type of coating

• Wooden floor

Many people choose parquet or parquet boards as kitchen flooring. Of course, natural wood is noble and reliable, beautiful and respectable. If financial possibilities allow, give preference to these materials.

Moisture-resistant parquet made of natural wood is an achievement of modern industry. It is practically not afraid of moisture and always has an attractive appearance. Parquet made from artificial materials, and parquet board. Two-layer parquet does not react to humidity at all. It will remain safe and sound even after a flood in the kitchen (of course, provided that the consequences of this trouble are quickly eliminated).

Be prepared to choose one of the wood species. It's better that they are hardwoods. They are harder and more wear-resistant. If it is piece parquet or parquet boards, they must be treated with a special compound that extends the life of the flooring in the kitchen. A thick layer of varnish is also a barrier, which also protects the wood from negative impacts. If you prefer parquet or parquet board As a floor covering, mop your kitchen floors regularly with a barely damp mop. Then the new floor will last you a long time.

• Cork floor for kitchen

Despite the fact that cork coverings have not been considered a new product for a long time, they have become popular in our country relatively recently. Perhaps this is due to the rather high price and consumer distrust of the new product. But people who ordered cork kitchen floors have already appreciated the benefits of this coating. The cork is pleasant to the touch, it is very warm, and even a little soft. The coating is as environmentally friendly as parquet. It is even believed that walking on cork floors good for the spine.

Natural cork is not afraid of moisture, does not swell and does not rot. It is easy to clean off stubborn dirt. Cork floors have antistatic properties, so dust does not accumulate on them. If on cork covering will fall very hot and quite heavy object(for example, a frying pan), a trace may remain. But it will be almost invisible due to the special texture of the coating. And over time, it will probably disappear altogether.

But cork floors also have negative properties: where food is prepared (near the stove), grease constantly splashes and falls sharp objects, water spills, the cork floor may be damaged. Therefore, many refuse to use it in the kitchen or choose floors with a special varnish or wax coating, which gives the floor additional protective properties. But this floor doesn’t look so attractive anymore.

For the kitchen, it is best to choose a covering that consists only of cork and is glued to the floor. If a cork floor has an MDF base, it is not durable, especially when used in the kitchen.

Most likely, this is the most practical material for such a multifunctional room. Tiles are best suited to the kitchen microclimate. It is not afraid of moisture, does not deform, there will be no dents on it, and it is very easy to wash. But if we are talking about ceramic tiles, they may not survive a heavy object falling on them. And if dishes fall on such a floor, they have almost no chance of surviving. Stone tiles will survive the fall of heavy objects, but their price is quite high.

The only drawback of tiles on the kitchen floor is that they are cold. People who are used to walking barefoot on the floor will constantly experience discomfort. But there is a way out of this situation. You can lay a moisture-resistant rug on the floor or install a “warm floor” system. But you can do without this if you simply recess the heating pipes into the screed under the tiles. If the room is small, the floors will be quite warm.

If you decide on ceramic tiles, choose one that is not very slippery. If moisture or grease gets on glossy tiles, it simply turns into ice rink, which is fraught with injury for those people who are in the kitchen.

• Laminate in the kitchen

Laminate fits well into interiors using color range natural wood

Laminate is a synthetic covering. Some varieties look like wooden parquet, there is a laminate that looks like ceramic tiles. Special moisture resistant laminate usually resistant not only to moisture, but also to abrasion. This material provides great possibilities for combination. In the work area you can put a laminate that imitates ceramic tiles, in the dining area - a laminate that imitates parquet. The floor will be equally warm everywhere.

But this coverage has significant shortcomings. It cannot be restored and is unlikely to survive flooding, since the base (MDF or chipboard) will simply swell. Laminate flooring will cost you little, and you can replace it quite often, but you are unlikely to want to renovate your kitchen and replace a worn-out floor after a few years.

• Linoleum

This material has long been trusted. It is abrasion-resistant, moisture-resistant, and there will be no marks left on it if any heavy object falls. Linoleum is quite soft and warm, even warmer than laminate. This coating is easy to clean and is not afraid of household chemicals, grease, abrasive powders and scrapers. Linoleum, like laminate, can imitate tiles or wooden parquet.

But linoleum also has its drawbacks. Firstly, hot marks may remain on it. In places where moisture frequently accumulates, linoleum can become deformed, and too aggressive cleaning of the floor can cause deterioration in the appearance of the floor covering. If there is no antistatic coating on the linoleum, it will attract all the dust.

Many people, making a choice between practicality and comfort, choose the latter. And they lay carpet in the kitchen, despite the fact that this solution is the most impractical. First of all, it's unhygienic. Grease and stuck-on food particles can sometimes be difficult to clean off. Secondly, carpet is afraid of moisture: if it gets wet, it will be uncomfortable, because you can’t wipe the water off carpeting very problematic. You can lay this material in the dining area and not in the work area, but it is not recommended to do it there either if there are small children in the house.

The advantage of carpet is its low price. The carpet does not have to be glued to the floor; most often it is supported only by the baseboards, so material that has become unusable can be easily replaced.

The optimal solution is a combination of floors

If you can't decide on just one coating, consider combining them. This will allow for zoning of space, dividing the dining and working areas. In addition, combining floor coverings is the optimal combination of convenience and comfort. For example, tiles in the work area are easy to clean, and parquet or laminate in the dining room will be pleasant on the feet and will not complicate cleaning either. Many ways of combining will allow you to show your creativity. You can choose materials of the same color or, conversely, combine contrasting shades. If you decide to combine different coatings, take into account their thickness, because there will be transitions and joints on the floor.

Combining different floor coverings makes sense both from a practical and decorative point of view

The choice of flooring for the kitchen, in contrast to living rooms, influence not only your taste and design preferences, but also practical requirements. Good coverage for the floor in the kitchen it must be strong enough to withstand any exposure to moisture, grease and other aggressive environments, and also be easy to clean. On the other hand, today's abundance of materials in construction stores allows you to easily select a coating suitable for any design. Thus, you can make almost any floors in the kitchen - photo designer premises

Only one question arises - how do the materials differ, what are the main pros and cons of each of them? You will find the answer to this in our article.

The most practical floor covering can be called linoleum, the installation of which we wrote about.

• Firstly, it is quite inexpensive and durable (the service life of the coating is on average about 8-10 years).
• Secondly, it is easy to install and does not require special care.
• Thirdly, linoleum has excellent heat and sound insulation.
• Fourth and finally, there is now an extremely wide selection of linoleum designs.

Linoleum is divided into three types - household, semi-commercial and commercial. Each type corresponds to its own wear resistance class:

Household linoleum

• • Household linoleum has a low wear resistance class (21-23) and is used only in residential areas with low surface load. Using such linoleum in the kitchen would not be the right decision.

Semi-commercial linoleum

• • Semi-commercial linoleum has increased abrasion resistance, its wear resistance class is 31-34. This perfect option for kitchen.

Commercial linoleum

• Commercial linoleum is mainly used in industrial premises and large shopping centers with maximum surface load. The wear resistance class of commercial linoleum is 41-43. Using this type of linoleum in the kitchen is possible, but not advisable due to the price of the material.

At first glance, it seems that linoleum is a suitable floor covering for the kitchen. And yet, even he has his shortcomings. First of all, it is environmental safety - cheap options linoleum is not suitable for installation in residential areas, so when purchasing it is important to look at the labeling. In addition, each type of linoleum requires the selection of a suitable glue or mastic. Read our article about. More modern version linoleum, which is devoid of many of the disadvantages of its predecessor, is the one we wrote about recently.

Ceramic tile

In popularity, ceramic tiles compete with linoleum. Indeed, it is durable, easy to clean, lasts a long time and can easily withstand all the unpleasant influences that kitchen floors are often exposed to. Neither an accidentally dropped knife nor spilled fat will leave marks on its surface.

There are both cheap one-color tile options and expensive ones that imitate other materials - marble, granite, wood valuable species or even onyx.

Kitchen floor tiles, selected according to the following parameters:

The appearance of the tile depends on the enamel layer

• • A type of enamel - responsible for the appearance of the tile and making it hard and waterproof.

The tile is not resistant to mechanical stress

• • Mechanical properties- bending resistance, surface hardness. Bending resistance is measured in megapascals (MPa). According to international standards(N 100 and ISO 1054-4), the bending resistance of unglazed tiles must be no less than 27 MPa. As for hardness, according to the classification it is divided into five classes. For the kitchen floor, tiles of the third and fourth classes are recommended.

The tile must be resistant to active liquids

• Resistance to aggressive environments - since tiles in the kitchen are exposed to temperature, acidic and alkaline liquids, their protection must be at least class B. The class of your tiles can be found out from the accompanying certificate or from the information on the packaging.

Among the disadvantages, we can mention that many consider ceramics and tiles to be “cold” materials; however, this problem is being solved.

Laminate

Tiles and linoleum are far from the only options for answering the question asked at the beginning of the article about what kind of floor to make in the kitchen. Laminate has long and firmly gained popularity as a floor covering for living rooms.


even simpler than ceramic tiles, and a wide selection allows you to choose a material of any shade. However, laminate does not like dirt, moisture and mechanical stress, and replacing a damaged part is not an easy task. Therefore, you should think before ordering a floor made of this material for your kitchen.
Laminate, like linoleum, is divided into wear resistance classes:

• The longest service life of a laminate with a wear resistance class of 21. This type of laminate has a low price and poor specifications. It is enough to mention that such a laminate is not protected from moisture, so it is categorically not recommended for use in the kitchen.
• Laminate with wear resistance class 22-23 can be used in the kitchen, but its service life will be no more than five years.
• The most suitable option for the kitchen is class 31-32 laminate. This material has a beautiful appearance and a high degree of protection from moisture and mechanical stress.

Below you can see the laminate classification table:

Laminate class table

Wooden floor

Wooden floors in the kitchen are not very common, but original version coating, especially if it fits into overall design apartments. Wooden floors in the kitchen can be of two types:

Parquet floor in the kitchen

• • Parquet flooring can be a good addition to your kitchen interior. However, parquet has almost the same disadvantages as laminate - it is not very resistant to moisture, despite the varnish coating. Even small scratches can lead to damage protective coating, and subsequently – the entire floor.

Plank floor in the kitchen

• Wooden floor solid board Well suited for the kitchen, of course, if the boards are properly processed. Instead of a regular floorboard it will be safer.

This material is environmentally friendly and very pleasant to the touch. It will serve you for many years, and when the surface gets old, you can easily sand it and varnish it again. However, it is also one of the most expensive, especially if the price also includes expensive installation and adjustment. It is also worth saying that wooden floors are not suitable for any interior.

Cork floor

Which floor to choose for the kitchen if you want something more original? Perhaps the first thing that deserves mention is the cork floor. There are several types of cork floors:

Tiled cork floor in the kitchen

• • Adhesive tiles - with top protective layer or without it. Installation method - laying on glue.

Cork flooring in rolls

• • Rolls, plates and granules - the use of this type of cork is carried out only for the formation of an insulating and soundproofing layer under the main coating.

Cork parquet in the kitchen

• Cork parquet - the product is an MDF panel rectangular shape, covered with a layer of cork. Installation method - classic lock connections.

Self-leveling floor

Another original material – polymer coating, otherwise called liquid linoleum. In fact, it is a fill that completely covers the subfloor. As a result, a durable monolithic surface is formed, virtually eliminating the possibility of moisture and dust penetrating into the technological seams. The color of the floor can be any.
Check out the main types of self-leveling floors:

Polyurethane self-leveling floors

• • Polyurethane self-leveling floors are characterized by high elasticity and strength. They resist temperature changes and chemical attack well.

Epoxy self-leveling floors

• • Epoxy self-leveling floors have good moisture resistance and high strength, and can withstand strong mechanical stress.

Epoxy-urethane self-leveling floors

• Epoxy-urethane self-leveling floors are a combination of epoxy and urethane coatings. They have elasticity and increased strength.

Floors with 3D patterns

Particularly interesting are floors made of transparent polymers, under which drawings can be placed. This floor is perfect for both a high-tech kitchen and oriental style. However, if you decide to fill your kitchen floor with liquid linoleum, remember that the coating that tightly adheres to the subfloor can only be removed by completely replacing the latter.

As you can see, which floor is better in the kitchen is not the most difficult question; you just need to know the main features of each material. In the photo below you can look at interesting floors in the kitchen interior.

The kitchen is one of the most demanding rooms. Not every material can withstand constant humidity, temperature changes and dirt. Therefore, the choice of cladding for the kitchen is quite difficult. We will look into which flooring is best for the kitchen in this article.

One of the most important criteria for choosing a material for a kitchen floor is ease of maintenance. The kitchen is both a dining and cooking area. What doesn't happen there? Dirt can get on the floor at any time, and who wants to clean the floor every time, spending a lot of time on it? Therefore, the surface should be cleaned easily and simply, without fear of chemicals.
Another test for kitchen floors is water. Even with great care, contact with water is inevitable. You might spill something or drop a container of water. Therefore, the material is needed to be waterproof.

Besides the fact that something is constantly being prepared in the kitchen, the whole family gathers there. The floor covering must be wear-resistant and not lose its appearance from constant contact with shoes.
Impacts are inevitable in the kitchen. At any moment, something can fall on the floor, which can ruin the fragile coating. The flooring material must withstand heavy loads and not be afraid of impacts from a dropped knife, frying pan and other household items.

In addition to the practical side, appearance also plays a role. A lot of time is spent in the kitchen, so an ugly interior can bring a lot of negative emotions.

And the last criterion is budget. The material must be affordable. High quality material It may well be inexpensive. You need to choose based on your own budget. Another saving point is installation. If the material is easy to install, then the work can be done independently, without the involvement of specialists.

Types of flooring for the kitchen

The modern market is replete with a wide range of various materials for the floor. But among this variety, not every material is suitable for the kitchen. Don’t take the first option you like, first weigh all the pros and cons and only then settle on one. What are the kitchen flooring options?

Laminate

IN modern world laminate is in wide demand. What is not surprising is that its appearance and characteristics are excellent, and it is not so expensive compared to other materials.
Previously, laminate flooring was not used in the kitchen. But now there are types of material that are not afraid of water. In terms of price, it will be the most expensive, but it is worth it. Laminate flooring is divided into classes. In the kitchen you can only use 33 and 34. These grades are waterproof, durable and wear-resistant.
Even in the kitchen, they will serve you for at least 15 years. Laminate flooring is easy to clean. It is enough to periodically wipe it with a damp cloth. Even if a stain appears on the surface, it will not be difficult to wipe it off.

In order to lay laminate flooring, you do not need to be an expert in this field. Even a beginner can handle the job, the main thing is to calculate the material correctly. Laminate flooring is easy to install; the panels are interlocked with locks. And if one of the strips becomes unusable, then it can be easily replaced without changing the remaining strips.

True, to do this you will have to dismantle the entire floor. The abundance of advantages outweighs the disadvantages, but still, there are them. Despite its water resistance, laminate will not withstand prolonged contact with water. It will last about six hours, but after that you need to urgently wipe the water dry.
Another disadvantage of laminate is the substrate. Its installation under the covering is mandatory. And the cost of the lining can reach the cost of the material itself.

Tile

Tiles are used very often in apartments. It is most often used for installation in the bathroom or kitchen. This is due to its characteristics. Previously, the appearance of the tiles left much to be desired, so many did not particularly like this option. But now she decorative properties leave no doubt. You can find tiles of any quality color, shape or pattern. Wide choose allows you to choose material for any interior.
The tiles are very easy to clean. It is not afraid of any contamination, and any substances or brushes can be used for cleaning. The tile is not afraid of water, high temperatures. She absolutely does not care about any conditions; over time she will not lose her decorative properties and will last at least 30 years.
The tiles are safe and environmentally friendly materials. It is made from clay and no toxins are used in the manufacturing process. Therefore, it will not cause harm to health. It is quite difficult to damage tiles. To do this you need to drop something very heavy. It is also not susceptible to mechanical damage.

One of the disadvantages of tiles is their slipperiness. This can cause accidental injuries and bruises, especially if there are children in the house. But this is easy to avoid. You can buy unglazed tiles with a relief pattern, then its surface will not slip.

Another disadvantage of this coating is its coldness. Some people install heated floors to avoid this. But not everyone can afford it. Installing tiles yourself is possible, but still, it may seem overwhelming to beginners.

Working with tiles is not difficult, but not everyone can install them neatly and evenly.

In the price category, everyone associates tiles with something cheap. However, as its decorative properties have improved, so has its cost. High quality tiles will cost more than laminate.

Linoleum

Among other materials for the kitchen, linoleum remains the cheapest. Even the most expensive types will cost much less than other materials. As with tiles, linoleum seems like a relic of the past to some. However, its appearance today has become much better and differs significantly from the material of Soviet times. You can find material of any color with a varied selection of patterns.
Laminate will last a little less than other materials. However, his service life reaches 10 years. But over time, linoleum will lose its appearance and wear off.
Linoleum is easy to install yourself; even those who have never made repairs will have no problems with it. The material is easy to care for and is easy to clean. You can wash or vacuum it. Linoleum is not afraid of impacts, but at the same time it melts at high temperatures.

Linoleum is not environmentally friendly clean materials, it is made from various polymers. There is natural linoleum, which is made only using natural ingredients, but its cost will be much higher, and besides, it will not withstand the conditions of the kitchen.

Self-leveling floor

This method of floor covering is not yet in demand due to its novelty. This coating is ideal for the kitchen. It is durable and not afraid of mechanical stress.
Over time it will not lose its decorative qualities. But at this stage, self-leveling floors cannot be installed independently due to the complexity of the technology. In addition, the cost of the work will not be affordable for everyone.

Combination of materials

The kitchen is divided into two zones - working and dining. Therefore, dividing the kitchen into zones is widespread. So you can cover the dining area with laminate, and the work area with more practical tiles.
The zoning technique is widely used by designers. It looks beautiful, the main thing is to choose the materials according to color. Remember that there should not be more than three primary colors in the room.

Among consumers, tiles remain the most common flooring material. But usually they add heated floors to it, which can end up being quite expensive. The tiles in the kitchen are not polished, otherwise injuries cannot be avoided on a slippery surface.

Laminate flooring should be treated with caution. Although there are waterproof types, remember that it will not withstand long-term contact with water. Therefore, when going on vacation, turn off the water.
Linoleum is still in demand. But it doesn't apply to safe coatings. People often complain about him because of his unpleasant odor. Especially when it's new. In addition, before laying it out, the floors need to be leveled to perfect condition, otherwise the material will lie crookedly, which will ruin the entire appearance.
How to make a kitchen floor?

If you are planning to do renovation work yourself, then the most suitable option is laminate, due to the ease of installation. Tiles and linoleum are much more difficult to install. This is not due to the specifics of installation, but to the complexity of the process. Leveling floors and laying tiles evenly is not so easy.

In addition to the practical side, when choosing materials for repairs, you should also pay attention to the decorative component. Depends on gender general form premises, and it cannot be started.

Choose light shades for small kitchens. Glossy surfaces will also help visually expand the space. In a room with large dimensions it is difficult to fill the void, so you need to stick to a sunny range of colors and choose matte surfaces with a pattern.