Which floor to choose for the kitchen ?
What floor to choose for the kitchen? The kitchen is a special place in the apartment. Therefore, when choosing a material for the kitchen floor, we must take into account several important elements. The first thing, the floor should be highly resistant to abrasion and impact. When we prepare meals, something often falls to us, even heavy pots.
It would be unfortunate if a freshly laid floor had some dents or scratches right away. The second issue is related to moisture. The kitchen floor must be both moisture and heat resistant. Then a spilled hot soup will not cause great damage. Another important thing is the ease of cleanliness, effortless cleaning of dirt.
It is also extremely important that the kitchen floor is not made of slippery material. Well, and probably for many people the last significant criterion will be the cost of the chosen floor. So what choices do we have?
The cheapest and most popular solution is ceramic tiles, which are quite durable, resistant to abrasion and dents, as well as moisture. The disadvantage of tiles is undoubtedly the cold sensation, especially noticeable in large kitchens. In the case of tiles, we have a choice between cheaper but lower quality (less resistant) clinker and terracotta tiles or more expensive but definitely more durable porcelain tiles. In the case of stoneware, you need to pay close attention to the degree of slipperiness. Above all, polished porcelain stoneware, while looking impressive, can be a very dangerous solution in the kitchen.
More expensive than ceramic flooring is stone flooring. Similarly, it also gives the impression of being very cool. Also, due to its weight, it is not recommended for higher floors. Also, stone should not be polished, as it then becomes very slippery. Most often we have a choice of granite, sandstone, limestone or travertine floors. The advantage of such flooring is, undoubtedly, high resistance to damage and a very nice appearance.
Another option is PVC flooring easy to lay, does not require glue, is non-slip and fairly inexpensive. It is worth investing in PVC strips and profiles While the problem is low resistance to high temperatures. Vinyl-coated cork boards are also becoming increasingly popular, but they require careful preparation of the subfloor. The plus side of cork flooring is, first of all, the ability to dampen sound and high resistance to abrasion.
Until recently, professionals advised against wood for kitchens. However, modern impregnating and cleaning agents make it possible to use this material in the kitchen room – humid and prone to abrasion or staining. The biggest advantage of wood flooring is its beautiful, elegant and aesthetic appearance. It should be noted that not all species of wood are suitable for the kitchen room. The most recommended are egotistical species such as merbau or teak), while of the domestic ones are the hardest, such as oak or beech. Regardless of the choice of wood, you need to remember about proper impregnation and protection against moisture, as well as daily care.
For bolder people, professionals also recommend combining materials, such as wood and tiles. The use of different materials allows you to separate zones in the kitchen with different purposes and functions, and will improve aesthetics.
