The floor in the kitchen is the surface in the apartment that is subjected to the most wear and tear. But finding the right floor covering for your kitchen is not an easy task. There are already many variants of materials that represent alternatives to the most commonly used tiles. In this article we summarize some options for kitchen flooring and present some nice ideas.
The most popular floor covering for kitchens – floor tiles
The kitchen covering can be functional and at the same timea nice designhave. The classic here are definitely the floor tiles. There is a wide selection of tiles that are plain, colorful or patterned and available in different sizes. This allows you to adapt to the style of the kitchen and ensures a beautiful overall appearance.
Floor tiles are connected to each other by joints, have a significant longevity and are easy to care for. Tile flooring is resistant to heat, water and most household chemicals used in cleaning. Because of these features and the numerous design possibilities, they are usually preferred for the kitchen.
The PVC kitchen floor
PVC or vinyl flooring for the kitchen has recently become a popular alternative to floor tiles. PVC is a plastic that is easy and quick to lay as a floor covering. Another advantage is the low price, which in no way takes away from the properties. The PVC kitchen flooring is very easy to care for thanks to its tight joints, which allows for quick but good cleaning.
It is not made from any chemicals, but primarily from materials such as rock salt and petroleum. Natural materials are even used for the filling, mostly chalk and limestone. In addition, the PVC floor does not contain any dangerous plasticizers or heavy metals.
PVC or vinyl flooring works well for the kitchen
The kitchen is the room in the apartment where you don't sit on a sofa or chair, but stand and walk around. Therefore, the floor should be hygienic and easy to clean. Vinyl floors are extremely robust and much warmer compared to stone or ceramic floor tiles. With a floor covering like this you can go into the kitchen barefoot even without underfloor heating.
PVC flooring is perfect for an apartment in the city as it provides impact sound insulation. Your neighbors and roommates will certainly be grateful for your decision to have such flooring in the kitchen.
Some people associate the idea of PVC flooring with a boring design that is not suitable for a modern apartment. Actually, this is not the case at all because the range of colors and structures is really wide. However, there are also techniques that can give the vinyl floor a perfect wood or tile look.
Laminate instead of parquet
Real wood flooring is not recommended for the kitchen because the parquet shows uneven wear. After some time, the used surfaces become visible and the entire kitchen loses its charm. An alternative is a moisture-resistant laminate. It offers many variants for designs as the material is digitally printed.
The laminate is just as cheap, but has some disadvantages. Firstly, food residue can be deposited in the joints, which means poorer hygiene and more difficult cleaning. Falling dishes or pots can leave unsightly marks on the surface that are difficult to repair. Of course, this risk also exists with floor tiles, but individual tiles can be replaced much more quickly and easily.
Screed in the apartment is trendy
Another durable kitchen flooring isscreed. Recently, the material has not only been installed as a subfloor, but has also been increasingly used as a floor covering in living areas. Such floors are completely on trend and are perfect for minimalist-style homes.
With the right coating, the screed floor is a suitable, stylish floor covering for the kitchen. It is laid seamlessly, which means it is easy to maintain. However, if you find the gray surface a little colder, carpets in all sorts of colors can be placed on it.
Screed floors are perfect for underfloor heating. Whether in the kitchen or in another room, a warm floor in winter creates additional coziness in the home, especially in the cold winter months.
In order for the screed to be suitable for living spaces, the material definitely needs a seal. It is first sanded, then polished and finally you have to choose a final coating to apply that will give the finishing touch. The options are different – epoxy resin, special oils or even leather are just some of them. The finished screed floor can be treated quickly and easily with standard cleaning products.
Cork for the floor
Cork is a material with high energy efficiency. Cork floors provide significant thermal insulation and are energy efficient. Such kitchen flooring is mainly found in Scandinavian countries, where the weather is usually colder.
Cork is a renewable raw material that, as a floor covering, also provides impact sound insulation. Such a floor is hard-wearing and its look is suitable for kitchens in different styles.
Linoleum flooring
One variant is linoleum. The material is made from natural raw materials, which allows it to be easily cleaned and creates a non-slip and anti-static surface. If allergy sufferers live in the apartment, linoleum is ideal for them.
Linoleum requires professional sealing to protect the material against moisture penetration. If the linoleum flooring is installed flawlessly by a professional, the kitchen floor will last a long time.
Since consumers value the opportunity to individually design their own home, the variety of designs is of great importance. Linoleum also comes in many different colors and interesting models, from which you can choose the best one for your kitchen.
Combination of materials
Open kitchens are communicative and combine functionality with beautiful interior design. They are often separated from the rest of the living area by another floor covering. This means you can clearly see the separation between the kitchen and living room without putting a door in between.
