Kitchen floors work hard.
Not only do they need to be easy to clean, but stain-resistant, stylish and comfortable to walk on.
Some need to work with different surfaces or floor constructions, while others need to be compatible with underfloor heating (UFH), too. All need to last for many years, as replacing a floor is never cheap or fun.
What types of kitchen flooring can you buy?
Kitchen flooring comes in a wide range of different materials and surfaces from an even wider range of brands and sub-brands, but you can break your options down into seven main types:
Natural stone, which includes limestone, travertine, granite and slate, is a popular choice thanks to its unique veining and available colours.
Finishes can be tumbled, for a more aged, antique look, honed, for a modern matt surface or polished for a light-reflecting shine.
Some stones will be more hardwearing than others. Limestone, for example, can be etched by acids, such as fizzy drinks and descaled, so it’s a good idea to seal it initially then reseal it regularly to protect the surface.
On the plus side, it’s durable, easy to clean and is UFH-compatible.
However, if you’re standing for any length of time, it can make your legs ache. It’ll be cold in the winter without UFH, while softer stones may scratch and textured surfaces harbour dirt.
Tiles – ceramic, porcelain or terracotta – are another popular option.
Porcelain is a harder version of ceramic, meaning that it’s low maintenance, hygienic, easy to clean and incredibly durable.
It’s also UFH-compatible and is often available in covetable marble or reclaimed timber effects.
Porcelain tiles are usually more expensive than ceramic.
They’re cold without heating and can be uncomfortable for long periods of standing.
More affordable ceramic and terracotta tiles have many of the same qualities but can crack and chip more than porcelain.
This is worse for ceramic tiles, as any chips will reveal the white base – terracotta is, at least, solid-bodied.
Choose Laminate For A Cost Effective Kitchen Floor
Laminate flooring has been a firm favourite for kitchens for a long time.
Its main edge over tile and wood flooring is its cost effectiveness, although high-quality and pricier options are available. Stain- and scratch-resistant, it’s a great option for busy kitchens, but check yours copes with the room’s steamy conditions before buying.
Choose: Higher-end laminate, which can have a very convincing wood or tile effect, complete with grain finishes, embossing, bevelled edges and stone looks.
Avoid: The cheapest laminate, which tends to stain, warp, and peel. With laminate flooring, you get what you pay for, with cheaper options often having an overly shiny and unrealistic effect.
Design know-how: Go for a low-sheen finish, and look for the details mentioned above, such as bevelled edges, to get a truly convincing lookalike. Protect your laminate flooring from damage by heavy kitchen appliances with an underlay.
Fitting laminate flooring: It is possible to lay most laminate flooring yourself, as most manufacturers have updated their laminate with easy-to-fit locking systems but we would recommend you get a laminate flooring professional installer to fit this for you.
Cleaning laminate flooring: To clean your laminate floor, use a damp cloth, but never a soaking wet mop, which can get water under the laminate flooring and ruin it.
Explore Other Cost Effect Kitchen Floor Materials
Vinyl is affordable, comes in a variety of textures and styles and is one of the most water-resistant kitchen flooring options.
While tiles are easy to install, sheet vinyl requires professional installation.
Tips: Check out the latest wood-look vinyl flooring planks. Easy to install, water resistant enough to be used in a shower, kitchen or wet area and textured to mimic wood grain, it takes a careful look to see if the wood plank vinyl flooring is actually wood or not.
Pros: Easy to install, water resistant, certain styles look just like wood.
Cons: Off-gasses potentially harmful chemicals in your home, requires a flawless subfloor to install on, can gouge easily.
Best Kitchen Flooring Installers Fife
If you are looking for kitchen flooring to be installed in your property or office space – get in touch with us to fit your kitchen flooring today.
