Soft floor tiles for the kitchen. Which floor is better to do in the kitchen: analysis of the characteristics of each coating. Should I put carpet on the floor in the kitchen

Any repair raises acute questions of the choice of building materials. Each case is individual, but the approach for all consumers is the same - the material must meet the needs. If we talk about the floors in the kitchen, modern design ideas allow you to solve practical issues and leave the most demanding owner satisfied.

Requirements

Kitchen flooring must meet the following requirements:

Ease of cleaning and care. The working area of ​​​​the kitchen involves daily washing using chemicals.

Moisture resistance. The kitchen is a place with high humidity and the possibility of frequent wetting of the floor. Moisture also promotes the growth of bacteria and the appearance of mold.

Wear resistance. The kitchen space is visited by all family members every day.

Heat resistance. In the event that heated elements are installed.

Modern floors in the kitchen meet all the necessary criteria.

You can heed the advice of some interior designers who offer the separation of the working and dining areas with different types of coverage.

The area where more aggressive wear occurs should be equipped with a floor that will not fail in the near future and does not deform. A detailed examination of the qualities of each type will help you make the right choice.

Linoleum

Modern floors in the kitchen do not ignore the most popular option - linoleum. Compliance with all requirements and good combination practicality and quality allow us to consider this material as the most acceptable.

His color solution allows even the most demanding taste to find the right combination. For the kitchen, a linoleum coating with a thickness of at least 0.3 mm is suitable. This floor is simple and easy to care for, which won the sympathy of many housewives. Another plus is its low cost. You can install and with my own hands, having necessary knowledge and tools. Linoleum can be both synthetic and natural. Moreover, the latter indicators of wear resistance are no worse. It is advisable to entrust the selection to professionals in order to avoid the wrong purchase.

Laminate

Modern floors in the kitchen provide for such an option as a laminate board.

Although the panel may be manufactured using the latest technology and have good performance However, the use of such a coating in the working area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen is not recommended. Laminate can not boast of high moisture resistance. Spots on it from colored liquid are very difficult to remove. For the dining area, laying a laminate is possible.

Its panel can imitate any surface. Laying of boards is carried out on a prepared base. Some types of laminate are suitable for underfloor heating. This must be clarified with the seller. Wide selection products pleases with its variety.

The disadvantages of the laminate include its low resistance to deformation from furniture. If you accidentally scratch or wipe the surface of the panel, then it cannot be restored.

Varieties of laminate have specific characteristics that are suitable for use in a particular type of premises. They should also be checked with the seller or familiarized with the marking in advance.

ceramic

Properly laid PVC tiles will last a long time. Such a floor is not afraid of scratches from kitchen furniture, spilled oil or other types of stains. Many consumers ask this question when choosing a floor in the kitchen: which is better - tile or laminate?

The first coating is chosen not only because of its high reliability, but also because of a number of other advantages. She has more high rates wear resistance than linoleum. The tile is made of environmentally friendly materials, therefore it is non-toxic and does not emit hazardous compounds.

If you want to make the floors in the kitchen modern, tile is perfect for this. It has a large selection of color options and textures - a pleasure. Tiles can imitate any surface. Therefore create unique design very easy with this material. Its main positive qualities are strength and moisture resistance, endurance to temperature extremes and ease of cleaning.

Cons are also present. Laying is possible only on a perfectly prepared surface. The seams between the tiles (this is a serious place) requires special attention. Dismantling will require a lot of effort.

Cork floors in the kitchen

Modern interior solutions allow you to choose the most suitable option for your home. Even as exotic as it has found its use. This is a natural material that can bring environmental friendliness and originality to the design. But is it a good choice? Cork is warm and very comfortable in terms of sensations. It is pleasant to walk on it, so in the bedroom or nursery this coating will be ideal. Its advantages are that it is not afraid of moisture, has soundproofing properties and has a very reasonable cost.

The disadvantages of cork are softness, which gives it low strength under load from. It is impossible to restore a sagging floor of this type. You need to lay the cork only on an ideal base.

Parquet

This board has many benefits. These noble wooden floors have been valued at all times.

Today, choosing modern floors in the kitchen, do not forget about parquet. Its boards are wear-resistant, certain types of wood are impregnated with special oils to give high resistance to moisture.

They are produced in various colors and sizes. So find suitable solution for your interior will not be great work. Important note: a light shade must be checked for the presence of additional protective layers. Otherwise, any colored stain can be deeply absorbed, and it will be very difficult to remove it. It is possible to replace individual boards, but it is difficult to do it on your own without practice and certain skills. Therefore, you will have to resort to the help of professionals. Given that the parquet floor is a very expensive pleasure, then its repair will also be expensive.

Porcelain stoneware

One of the most common options after PVC tiles is porcelain stoneware. This artificial material has high strength and wear resistance. It is so durable that it is not affected by temperature, moisture.

He is not afraid of hot oil and grease stains. In a home kitchen, it is almost impossible to spoil and deform it. Therefore, many people think that best floors in the kitchen, these are those made of porcelain stoneware.

But such a floor is very cold, so you need to immediately provide for its heating. He is also very solid. The dishes that fall on it will definitely break, but the floor will withstand and not even be scratched.

The weak point of both tiles and porcelain stoneware are the seams between the elements. They should be of very high quality, but over time they still come into poor condition. Keeping them perfect is very difficult.

Bulk

Another coating option is to arrange modern self-leveling floors in the kitchen. This solution attracts with the complete absence of seams and a variety of patterns. It is the self-leveling floor that will allow any bold fantasy to come true. As a basis, you can use natural materials, for example, stones or shells, decorate it with dried flowers or leaves. After laying the elements, a special varnish is poured on top.

And you can use any 3D picture that will give the whole room a unique look. Similar floors in the kitchen are modern, photos of which adorn many special editions, and will fit into any design solution. The bulk version is very durable and reliable. The disadvantage is only its dismantling, which is impossible without destroying the entire surface.

Marmoleum

Modern kitchen flooring - marmoleum. This name means 100% natural coverage. It can be in the form of a roll or individual tiles. The technology of its laying resembles the installation of ordinary linoleum. But marmoleum is attached to a layer of special glue.

This coating has a high level of wear resistance, which allows you to increase the service life even up to 50 years. Reestablish natural linoleum simply. This cover impresses with a wealth of choice. rich colors, from them you can make a unique design pattern.

Marmoleum is very easy to care for, any stains are easily cleaned from its surface. In addition, the coating itself has an antibacterial effect. Installation must be carried out only on a flat surface.

Do-it-yourself floor laying

When the choice of material is left behind, you can think about installation. It is possible to lay the floors in the kitchen with your own hands. You should start by dismantling the old floor and cleaning the base. Next, check it with a building level for evenness.

Even a slight deviation is better to align. Cement strainer suitable for leveling the floor, the curvature of which is more than 3 cm. It will also allow you to soundproof the surface. Its thickness is also great importance. It must be at least 3 cm, otherwise the cement will simply peel off from the base.

After the screed is completed, you need to wait a month before mounting the final coating. But modern formulations allow to reduce this period to 5 days. The substance is applied to the surface of the screed and binds the water in it.

We talked about the preliminary preparation for work. How to lay the floor in the kitchen with your own hands? There is a photo of the installation in our article.

Installation of linoleum flooring

The device of such a floor is not the most difficult task if the surface is already prepared. This will require tools:

Sharp knife for cutting edges;

Knife for cutting, which has interchangeable nozzles and a curved shape;

A ruler, better if not one, but several pieces of different lengths;

Two spatulas, one for applying mastic should have teeth, and the second should be normal.

Starting the markup, you need to leave allowances at the edges of 5 cm. In the future, this will compensate for errors. After you can start cutting. To do this, use prepared knives. The procedure must be carried out carefully so as not to get hurt.

Gluing and spreading

The second method is suitable for a kitchen area of ​​\u200b\u200bno more than 20 m 2. To do this, an array of linoleum is laid in the way it will be fixed in the future and left for a day to straighten. After that, they are cut in such a way as to leave a gap between the material and the wall, which will then be hidden by the baseboard.

The advantage of this installation is precisely the free space, which is not deformed for a long time.

Gluing is done in the case when the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room is more than 20 m 2. The first step is to apply a primer on the inner surface of the linoleum and on the base, this will provide better adhesion. Only one day after priming, glue can be applied with a spatula with teeth. The linoleum sheet is laid on glue and leveled with a roller.

Having started a renovation in the kitchen, many are faced with the problem of choosing a floor covering. Often doubts are caused by the operational characteristics of a particular material. And therefore, the risk of putting the wrong coating on the floor can result in the creation of an inaccurate picture of the design or simply an early deterioration of the material.

About what kind of coatings are ideal for arranging the floor of the kitchen and advice on which interior is better to put this or that material, we analyze in this article.

Ceramic tiles

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

The disadvantages of such a practical flooring are:

• Moderately high price (especially if the tile is bought from well-known European manufacturers);
• Some dirty work when laying the material;
• Cold tiles. If the floor is tiled, then bare feet walking on this floor is uncomfortable. The situation can be corrected with the help of indoor slippers or a “warm floor” system installed at the stage of the repair.

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

Porcelain stoneware

A coating that is identical to tile, but with higher strength and higher wear rates. Porcelain stoneware slabs are quite massive and have large parameters, unlike tiles.

Such flooring for the kitchen can be made in the most various designs from monophonic execution to drawing an intricate pattern on each plate.

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

Porcelain tile is better to lay in kitchens in modern or classic style. Massive stoves look perfect in spacious and bright kitchens with large-sized furniture, which allows you to unusual interior in room.

The disadvantages of covering the field are:

• Price;
• The coldness of the stone (but this can be corrected either by floor heating or slippers worn on the 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 coverage is ideal option for finishing the kitchen floor. Moderately elastic cork boards have excellent thermal insulation properties and are very pleasant to use, which allows you to make the kitchen cozy. Walk on cork floor- pure pleasure.

Cork slabs resemble laminate (if laid in a locking way) or PVC tiles (if laid adhesive method). Both types of cork coating are good and unpretentious.

Cork flooring for the kitchen responds well to temperature changes, mechanical stress and UV rays. The only disadvantage of such a coating is its fear of water. As a result of being hit a large number moisture 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. Glue additionally protect the grooves between the plates from accidentally getting moisture.

Linoleum

Perfect coverage for the floor in the kitchen. The coating is practical, durable, resistant to moisture and temperature extremes. In addition, the cost of linoleum on modern market the most affordable compared to all other floor coverings.

Modern technologies make it possible to produce linoleum, the strength of which is designed for 15 years or more. This is especially true of natural material made on the basis of linseed oil, jute fibers and wood flour.

Designers offer the modern buyer a floor covering with imitation of 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 flooring will smell of oil and natural ingredients. PVC linoleum will have a specific synthetic fragrance.

Laminate

In moderation good coverage, but for very careful housewives. Laminate has long and firmly won its position in the market of finishing materials and is one of the most popular. Its robust structure allows it to withstand fairly high mechanical loads. Especially if corundum was added to the structure of the protective top layer during manufacture.

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

The weak point of the laminate is its fear of water. Spilled liquid that has fallen into the joints between the plates can seriously damage the wood-fiber material from which the laminate is made.

Tip: if you really want to lay a laminate in the kitchen, then it is better to make the floor combined. That is, lay porcelain stoneware, tiles or linoleum in the working area, and dining area kitchens to cover with a laminate that matches the color of the tile. This solution looks original in any of the interiors. The main thing is to choose the right pattern on the tile and the shade of the laminate.

PVC tiles

This floor covering is akin to linoleum. The only difference is that the material for the floor is made in the form of modules. Sometimes such a coating is called " modular pvc floor".

PAX tiles are highly durable and inert to water, temperature changes or any pollution. When laying PAH tiles form a monolithic coating. The floor of modular tiles is easy to clean and can be installed on the "warm floor" system. Tip: Depending on the color and pattern of the tiles, pvc is better lay in the interiors of modern, high-tech, art deco.

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 tool 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 stress. The service life of such a floor is 40 years or more. At the same time, it is quite difficult to dismantle the coating.

Important: self-leveling floor can also be done on top of the "warm floor" system.

Parquet

Worst choice for the kitchen. Although the parquet board is an environmentally friendly and attractive material, it is better not to use it for the kitchen. Such a coating is afraid of water and fire. And any debris falling on the kitchen floor will eventually clog into the joints and cracks between the parquet planks. Not even lacquer will help here. After a few years, you will have to carefully clean and renew the coating.

Floor covering for the kitchen what to choose - this question arises for all homeowners who decide to spend repair work in this room. It must be said that the task of choosing is by no means an easy one, since today there are construction stores there is such an abundance of various materials that, without having information about them, one can easily get lost. Therefore, it makes sense to further consider the most popular floor coverings for the kitchen and take a closer look at their characteristics.

Well, first you need to decide on the requirements that must be met

Criteria for choosing kitchen flooring

Since the kitchen is one of the most visited rooms in an apartment or house, it can be considered a zone of increased movement of people. In addition, when choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account such factors as temperature changes, high humidity and the presence of a large amount of fumes. various origins, which, one way or another, will be reflected in all the finishing materials of this room. Therefore, the floor covering should have the following qualities:

• Moisture resistance of the material . In the kitchen, the floor covering will not be able to avoid exposure to moisture - this is not only evaporation and splashes during cooking and washing dishes, but also frequent mopping.

In addition, plumbing and sewer pipes, from which moisture also emanates, and this fact also cannot be ignored when choosing a floor covering.

• Low hygroscopicity . Not only will the material be inert to moisture, it is necessary that it does not absorb it into itself, otherwise a favorable environment will be created under the coating for the appearance of colonies of microflora - mold and fungus. They will negatively affect not only the coating itself, but also the screed or wood laid under it.
• impact resistance . The kitchen is a room that contains a large number of various heavy items of utensils and other kitchen utensils, so there is always a risk of accidentally dropping one of them on the floor. With this in mind, you need to choose a material that can withstand the impact of a fallen from a height of one meter cast iron pan or cauldron.
• Hygiene. The floor covering must be easy to clean from dirt and greasy raids and spots.
• slipperiness of the material. For the above reasons, such as the ingress of grease and water onto the surface of the coating, it must be taken into account that these compounds should not easily spread over the floor and slide underfoot. Otherwise, this factor can lead to domestic injuries. The coating does not have to be perfectly smooth - a slightly rough surface is more suitable.
• Wear resistance. Since the cooking process takes place daily in the kitchen, on the floor, especially near the gas or electric stove, a fatty coating may form, which is not so easy to remove. Therefore, often enough to bring the floor in order, you have to use brushes and abrasive powders. With this in mind, it is necessary to choose a coating that can withstand such cleaning, or one that does not absorb or accumulate greasy deposits.
• Abrasion resistance. The kitchen is a room frequently visited by all family members, but most of all, the hostess is in constant motion during cooking. That's why surface layer coatings, as well as its decorative layer, must be resistant to abrasion.
• Foundation requirement. When choosing a coating, you need to take into account the factor that some of the materials must be laid or laid on a base carefully prepared in a special way.

If there is no possibility or desire to carry out such work, a coating is purchased that can be laid on the previously laid material, of course, if it is in good condition and securely fixed to the floor surface.

• Resistance to temperature changes. If it is planned to install a “warm floor” system in the kitchen, then you need to choose a coating that can withstand temperature changes not only from the outside, but also from below. In addition, the material must have high thermal conductivity.

• Design solution. If you plan to divide the kitchen into zones, designating them different materials flooring or different colors, then you need to think carefully about their connecting line, as well as compliance with all the requirements listed above. It should be noted that a material correctly selected in terms of texture and color is capable of visually small space standard kitchen of a city apartment.

Main characteristics of popular flooring

Now, knowing all the qualities that a floor covering should have for kitchen area, you can consider the merits of the most popular of them.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is by far one of the most popular floor coverings for areas such as bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. If this material is laid in the kitchen of a private house or over an unheated room, then the “warm floor” system is most often laid under it, since this material itself is cold, but has a high thermal conductivity.

If you decide to use ceramic tiles for the floor in the kitchen, you should familiarize yourself with some of its basic characteristics. They will help you decide on the right choice of this material.

• wear resistance

The wear resistance of ceramic tiles is determined by five categories, and depends on the degree of its electability. This indicator has the abbreviation PEI:

- PEI I - tiles with this marking are intended exclusively for wall decoration.

- PEI III - material of this category can be laid in any of the rooms, except for the hallway, as it does not have sufficient resistance to abrasive wear.

- PEI IV - tiles with this marking are used for flooring in rooms public buildings because it has a high level of wear resistance. Therefore, this version of the material is well suited for the floor of kitchens and hallways.

- PEI V - this category has the highest degree of wear resistance, and is usually purchased for laying in areas of high traffic density, for example, for shops. Therefore, this option is also suitable for the hallway and kitchen. True, the expediency looks doubtful: the strength characteristics of such a coating are excessive for residential conditions, and the price is much higher.

Based on the above arguments, we can conclude that the best option for the kitchen floor would be one that has a PEI IV wear resistance category, in extreme cases - PEI III.

• Chemical resistance

The resistance of ceramic tiles to chemical attack is indicated by the letter symbols: AA, A, B, C and D. The material indicated by the letters A and AA has the maximum resistance to aggressive chemicals. It is these categories, as well as tiles B, that are well suited for laying in kitchens.

• moisture resistance

The level of moisture resistance depends on the method of manufacturing tiles - this is pressing (B) and extrusion (A). The tile made by pressing method has a high density and strength, while the material produced by extrusion technology has a more porous structure.

Ceramic finishing material divided into three categories, each of which has an additional letter designation, and is characterized by its moisture absorption parameters, in % by weight:

- AI and BI - the most moisture resistant ceramic tiles. The moisture absorption of its surface is only 3%.

- AIII and BIII - this is the least moisture resistant tile, since its moisture absorption exceeds 10%.

Tiles with the number I in the designation of the category are intended for lining bathrooms and swimming pools. It can also be used in the kitchen if desired.

The level of moisture resistance directly affects the cost of a tile - the higher the category, the higher the price set for it.

• Tile surface

The surface of the tile can be glossy, matte, embossed, rough and polished. The best option for the kitchen there will be embossed, rough, and, in extreme cases, matte tiles - these options are practically not slippery and safe for walking even a little wet surface. However, you should not choose a tile with a too deep relief, as dirty deposits will clog in its recesses, which will be difficult to clean.

The slipperiness of ceramic tiles is indicated by the coefficient of friction and this parameter must be paid attention to. Special attention, since the safety of being in the kitchen depends on it. The coefficient of friction is divided into 4 categories:

- The maximum safe tile has a digital designation of 0.75.

— Conditionally safe material is designated 0.39÷0.74.

- Dangerous, that is, rather slippery, has a coefficient of friction from 0.22 to 0.39.

- Very slippery, its coefficient is not less than 0.19. Such tiles cannot be laid on the floor.

From these parameters, we can conclude that rough or embossed tiles have the safest coefficient of friction, while smooth and glazed tiles have a lower value, and are unsuitable for flooring.

• Grade of ceramic tiles

In addition to the above characteristics, you should pay attention to the type of tile - this parameter indicates the amount of possible marriage in each of the packages - a mismatch in size, material linearity, etc. There are three types of ceramic, each of them is usually marked with its own color:

- I grade (red) - has no more than 5% conditionally defective products;

- II grade (blue) - has up to 20% of defective material;

— Grade III (green) is the lowest quality and cheapest product.

There are other characteristics, and there are quite a lot of them, but the above are the main ones that you need to pay special attention to. In order not to get confused in the parameters, when going to the store, it is worth writing out the necessary data, and, based on them, select the desired sample.

• decorative

Little needs to be said about the decorative qualities of ceramic tiles, since this will depend on general form kitchen interior.

Nowadays, the trade assortment includes very big variety finishing floor tiles of various colors and patterns that can imitate natural materials, or simply be decorated with interesting patterns and ornaments.

Tiles can be embossed to give the floor a richer "carpeted" look. When choosing a finishing material according to this criterion, it is necessary to take into account its harmony in color, texture and relief with the design of the rest of the interior.

It is important to choose the right tile in shape and size, since this criterion will determine whether the kitchen space will visually expand, or whether it will look smaller than it actually is. Today, on sale you can find material of various configurations and sizes - tiles can have geometrically regular and patterned shapes, so if you wish, you can realize any ideas and ideas. design ideas. In addition to the tile itself, it is always possible to purchase embossed borders or “carpet” elements in the kit.

Linoleum for the kitchen

Despite the abundance of new materials, linoleum can still be called the most popular flooring not only for the kitchen, but also for any of the rooms in the apartment. The main thing is to choose the one that is ideal for a particular room.

Varieties of linoleum

In flooring stores, you can find two main types of linoleum - it is natural and made from synthetic raw materials. Each one is suitable for different rooms, and has its advantages and disadvantages.

liquid linoleum

Synthetic linoleum

The most popular is linoleum, made on the basis of synthetic raw materials, as it is affordable even for a family with an average income. It is quite durable - high-quality artificial linoleum, subject to the rules of operation and care, will last 12-15 years.

Artificial linoleum is made from various materials, but for use in residential buildings most often, polyvinyl chloride material is purchased, which, according to experts, is the safest for humans, with the exception of some cases of individual intolerance.

Designed for residential premises, it is a multilayer structure:

• The bottom layer is the basis of the material.

• Elastic backing pad made of polyvinyl chloride foam.
• Reinforcing fiberglass layer, giving the material strength.
• Another layer of polyvinyl chloride, having a smaller thickness.
• layer consisting of decorative film, with a pattern applied to it.
• A transparent layer that increases the wear resistance of the material.
• Top protective film.

Multilayer linoleum is referred to as heterogeneous.

If the material consists of one layer (not counting the top protective film), then it is called homogeneous. Such material can be either very thin or have a thickness of 10 ÷ 15 mm. Homogeneous linoleum is a high-quality material, but it does not differ in a variety of decorative textures - usually it is a monochrome design, sometimes “decorated” with color splashes.

The most common PVC linoleum has almost all of the above requirements for kitchen flooring:

• The material is waterproof.
• Easy to clean.
• Resistant to abrasion and mechanical stress.
• Durable enough - its service life averages 12÷15 years.
• Affordable.
• It is easy to lay on your own, as it is quite simple to install.
• This flooring is very a wide range design solutions. Linoleum can imitate parquet, ceramic tiles, cork or plank flooring, as well as many other ornamental or clear geometric patterns.
• Some relief drawings are not only a decorative, but also an anti-slip element of the linoleum coating.

Artificial linoleum can be of three classes - it is commercial, semi-commercial and household. For flooring in the premises of the apartment, it is necessary to choose only the household version of the material, which is classified as class 21, 22 and 23 and has a thickness of 3 ÷ 5 mm.

The number "2" in front indicates that the material is intended for living quarters, and the second figure shows the resistance of linoleum to stress. For example, "1" is the lowest resistance and "3" is the highest abrasion resistance for a residential flooring.

Household linoleum classification table.

Linoleum class	Class symbols placed on the packaging	Permissible load level	Load intensity	Optimal places for material application
21		short	Rooms with low traffic or low-traffic areas.	Pantry and bedroom.
22		average	Premises with an average degree of intensity of movement of people.	Living room, dining room, office and kitchen.
23		high	Premises with a traditionally high intensity of movement of people	Kitchen and hallway.

From this table it can be seen that for the kitchen, in principle, 22 is suitable, but it will be even better - class 23 flooring.

Semi-commercial and commercial grades are more resistant, but they have a higher content of components that are not harmless to humans, and their use in domestic conditions is not welcome.

Linoleum PVC Tile

Linoleum is produced not only in rolls familiar to all, but also in other forms that are easier to install.

laminate for kitchen

You can buy PVC linoleum in square or rectangular tiles - these materials can imitate ceramic coating, parquet or laminate. Mounting such a tile is quite simple, as it usually has an adhesive layer on its back side, covered with a protective substrate. However, in order for the laying process to be easy, and as a result, the coating turned out to be of high quality, the base under it must be almost perfectly flat and smooth.

Linoleum of this form of release has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you also need to know about before choosing it.

The positive qualities of PVC tiles include both the ease of laying the material and the possibility of replacing areas damaged during operation. There is no need to remove the entire coating or cut out a separate area of ​​it and look for a suitable replacement. To dismantle the area requiring replacement, you just need to remove the damaged tiles and fix new ones in their place. Based on this circumstance, it is recommended when buying a coating to purchase it with a margin, that is, take 5 ÷ 10 tiles more than is actually required for the kitchen floor area. They are inexpensive, and such a reserve will not "hit the pocket."

The positive qualities include the fact that pvc tiles various colors all kinds of drawings and compositions are created, so the interior of the kitchen can be made absolutely exclusive. A wide range of colors of monophonic material, as well as having ornamental patterns, allows you to choose the right decorative option for a specific interior.

A clear disadvantage of tiled linoleum can be called too many seams, which is not very good for covering the kitchen floor, since humidity is increased in this room due to fumes of various origins - this can lead to a gradual delamination of the material from the base. If, nevertheless, there is a desire to use tiled linoleum in the kitchen to cover the floor, then you need to prepare the base very well for it. It should be perfectly smooth and well primed.

Natural linoleum (marmoleum)

Natural linoleum, also known as marmoleum, is made from cork and lime powder, linseed oil and wood flour with the addition of coloring agents to the general mixture. natural pigments. The basis for this type of material is linen or jute fibers or non-woven materials.

The technological principles of the production of this natural flooring have not changed for many decades - only the patterns have been modernized in accordance with new interior styles. Marmoleum has a large number of positive qualities that meet the requirements for kitchen flooring. These include:

• Durability - the coating lasts from 20 to 45 years.
• Eco-friendly coating.
• Resistant to ultraviolet, as well as chemical aggressive and detergent compositions.
• High wear resistance.
• Additional sound and heat insulation of the floor.
• Linseed oil, which is part of marmoleum, gives the material antiseptic properties.
• Natural material is non-hygroscopic, does not absorb grease and dirt.

Marmoleum is most often produced in soothing pastel colors, and this gives the interior coziness and stability.

The main disadvantage of the material is its high cost, so synthetic linoleum is often preferred to it. In addition, the material is demanding on the base, and it is better to entrust its installation to a specialist, since it is laid only on glue, applying it over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe kitchen.

"Liquid linoleum"

Although this material is placed in the linoleum section, by and large, it is not.

« Liquid linoleum» is sometimes called a self-leveling polymer floor. Despite enough high price and the complexity of self-execution, such a coating is becoming more and more popular, as it has a considerable number of advantages that fully comply with the criteria described above.

• "Liquid linoleum" has the longest service life of all types synthetic materials for floors.
• Such a coating can be created based on your own sketches. The variety of possible patterns cannot be compared with any of the existing floor coverings.
• The surface of the floor is characterized by excellent water resistance and non-hygroscopicity. Moreover, filled polymer layer becomes at the same time an excellent waterproofing.
• In the future, if it is decided to make repairs in the kitchen and change its design, the self-leveling floor will not have to be dismantled, since it itself creates a perfectly even and smooth base that is suitable for laying any other coating.
• This type of coating is made of polyurethane or epoxy resin, therefore it is an environmentally friendly, harmless, biologically resistant material.
• "Liquid linoleum" tends to visually expand the space, as it has the effect of a 3D pattern.

The disadvantage of the self-leveling floor is not only its rather high cost, but also the fact that it will have to invite a specialist to install it. The pouring process is quite complicated, and in order for the coating to turn out to be of high quality, it is necessary to have the appropriate work experience.

How to choose the right quality linoleum?

When choosing linoleum for the kitchen, you need to pay attention to following options talking about the quality of the material:

• A conscientious manufacturer always leaves the contact details of his company on the packaging. This factor indicates that he is confident in the quality of his products.
• At the request of the buyer, the seller-consultant is obliged to provide a quality certificate for the goods.
• The material should not have an unpleasant pungent odor.
• Both on the front and the inner surface there should be no damage or manufacturing defects.

• The drawing on the coating must be clear, and its step must also be observed.
• The surface of the linoleum should be uniform - embossed or smooth, depending on the type chosen. If the relief or, conversely, smoothness is violated in places, then the material is considered defective.
• If narrow linoleum is purchased, and it is supposed to be in two sheets that will be joined together, then it is very important to ensure that both rolls are from the same batch, otherwise they may differ in shade. The production batch number must be found on the packaging.

What drawings of linoleum are better to choose for the kitchen?

As mentioned above, in the process of cooking it is very difficult to avoid fumes and contamination of the floor covering. Therefore, it is better not to choose plain light-colored linoleum for this room, on which even small spots that have fallen on it will immediately give a sloppy look to the entire room. It is recommended to purchase a coating of such a color that it can hide minor dirt, or you will have to clean after each cooking.

Well suited for the kitchen room linoleum, which has a watercolor painting, which is found on the texture of the cut of wood and stone different breeds. Such drawings imitate relief forms. natural materials, and may well hide small contaminants, the removal of which can be postponed for a while until the kitchen is overhauled.

Using the pattern and color of linoleum, you can visually expand or narrow the room, lengthen it or shorten it.

kitchen tiles

For example, if linoleum imitates massive board or rectangular laminate slats and lay them across a narrow kitchen, the room will appear visually wider. If you want to create an elongation effect, then you should mount such material along the room.

Visually increase the space squares of contrasting colors applied to the linoleum in a checkerboard pattern. This effect can be achieved independently by using linoleum tiles to cover the floor.

Laminate for the kitchen

- a relatively new floor covering, but has already become quite popular due to the ease of installation, affordable price and aesthetic appearance. However, it should be noted that this material is still not the best option for a kitchen room, since if the lamellas are poorly joined and moisture gets between them, then the laminate can deform and delaminate. Of course, there are coatings of different quality and grade, but even if on moisture resistant laminate water is spilled, it must be removed quickly.

Such a floor covering is given a varied design - it can be an imitation solid wood, stone cut, leather texture. In addition, the laminate can also be decorated with a geometric ornament of varying degrees of complexity.

Some types of laminate can be used for flooring over an underfloor heating system. The packaging of such material shall indicate that the material is suitable for such use.

How to approach the choice of laminate?

Such material also has an appropriate classification both in terms of wear resistance and coating installation technology. The details are well laid out in a special publication of our portal.

Wooden floor in the kitchen

Wooden floors can be called traditional, since wood used to be the most popular and almost the only available material for flooring. Today, wooden floors can be found in modern apartments quite rarely - materials that only imitate wood are more often used. To wooden floor He served for a long time, he needs constant care, for which, as always, there is not enough time.

If selected wood flooring, for example, for laying on, the material must be properly treated with various water-repellent impregnations, and after installation it must be covered with a special varnish. After such treatment, the floor surface will acquire all the qualities necessary for a kitchen room - this is moisture resistance, hygiene, safety, high wear resistance, decorative effect, as well as low thermal conductivity, which means that the floor will be warm even without heating.

But wood that has not received proper treatment will quickly become unusable, as it is sensitive to moisture, aggressive environment detergent chemicals.

Given that wood is relatively lightweight material, a coating from it can be made in an apartment of a multi-storey building - it will not increase the load on the interfloor ceiling.

For the floor in the kitchen, high-quality processed tongue-and-groove boards from wood species such as larch, ash or even oak are selected. The thickness of the boards depends on how high they will be raised from the concrete base, but in any case this parameter should not be less than 20 mm. The width of the boards is usually from 90 to 150 mm, and their length will depend on the planned laying pattern.

To ensure that the coating is perfectly even, after laying the boards, they are cycled with a special machine. For this purpose, most likely, you will have to call the master.

To the wooden flooring, in addition to the array, can also be attributed parquet board and parquet. If it is decided to arrange the coating in the kitchen only from wood, then it is better to give preference to parquet or parquet board made of wood. deciduous trees having high wear resistance and sufficient hardness. But when choosing this material, it should be remembered that it must also be treated with compounds that will protect it from moisture, rapid abrasion and mechanical stress.

Today on sale you can find parquet or parquet board different shades and textured patterns, so this coating can be chosen for every taste.

Is it difficult to lay a wooden floor on your own?

If suddenly it is decided to do it in the kitchen or in another room boardwalk, it is worth familiarizing yourself with technological recommendations on this account. Details are in a special publication of our portal.

Cork flooring in the kitchen

Cork not yet widely used - due to the high cost of the material and considerable complexity quality installation. However, it is absolutely undeniable that it has a lot of advantages that can even solve some problems.

Good for kitchen flooring. This material is warm and pleasant to the touch, environmentally friendly, does not emit any harmful fumes. The cork coating is waterproof, it does not rot or deform from moisture, does not attract dust, and is also a good heat and sound insulator.

Despite all of the above positive traits this coverage, it also has its "cons". So, the cork floor can suffer if hot fat or heavy or sharp objects fall on it. Therefore, for the kitchen, it is recommended to choose cork material with a special wax impregnation and an external protective varnish coating.

To cover the floor in the kitchen, it is better to purchase cork material, sold in rolls and glued to the base. Less suitable for the kitchen is cork flooring made on the basis of MDF, in the form of plates (like a laminated board), since moisture can penetrate between them.

There are other floor coverings for the kitchen, less common, but probably due to the fact that there is not enough information about them yet. An example is vinyl panels equipped with locking joints. Laying such panels is an affordable process that any owner will quickly master.

Video: Installing panel vinyl flooring

To facilitate the choice - compare the characteristics

As can be seen from the characteristics presented above, all floor coverings have specific advantages, but are not without certain disadvantages. For clarity, you can summarize by highlighting their main qualities in a table:

The choice of flooring for such a specific room as a kitchen requires a serious approach. In order not to have unnecessary trouble later, it is necessary to very meticulously estimate all the pros and cons of this or that option, taking into account not only the individual qualities of the materials, but also the possibility of daily care for them.

When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, housewives have the added responsibility of organizing and planning their kitchen space. After all, you need to choose a design in advance, think about what it should be, and what material is best to choose on the floor, so that the atmosphere in the kitchen is not only warm and cozy, but also attracts all household members and delights guests.

The kitchen is one of the rooms that has increased traffic, and first of all, when choosing a floor covering, many factors must be taken into account, and there is definitely no answer to the question of which floor is better to make in the kitchen. Firstly, it all depends on your preferences, secondly, on the thickness of the wallet, and thirdly, the floor in the kitchen must meet a number of requirements, which we want to acquaint you with below:

• Waterproof is one of important requirements, since the kitchen is the room (after the bathroom) that is subject to high humidity and additional water procedures, such as washing dishes and frequent cleaning.
• Hygienic. The floor covering should be easily cleaned of grease and dirt, even without the use of detergents and aggressive agents (scraper, brush and powder).
• Impact resistant. Any cooking is not complete without the use of dishes, and often its varieties are very fragile, and some are quite heavy. So the kitchen floor must survive any fall, this fact should be taken into account.
• Wear resistant. The surface of the floor covering must be reliable and resistant to abrasion, as the housewives, moving around the kitchen, even though imperceptibly, wind up huge kilometers.

Today, there are many floor coverings on the construction market, such as linoleum, laminate, parquet, ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, self-leveling floors, cork floors, and much more. And what types to give preference, given the advantages and disadvantages, what is better in the kitchen, let's figure it out together.

Floor covering overview: what material is better to choose?

Wooden (parquet, parquet board) . Wood products and coatings create a natural atmosphere of naturalness and nobility. The floor from the floorboards is much outdated, now it is valued from it.

With the help of modern technologies, parquet has acquired good resistance to moisture. This includes the two-layer block parquet, even, here the main thing is to eliminate the consequences in time.

If you want to make the floors in the kitchen from parquet, then it is better to give preference to hardwoods, since they are harder in nature and have high wear resistance. Basically, parquet boards and piece parquet are treated with a special compound that prolongs their life. And as an additional protection against external influences, experts recommend covering them with a layer of varnish.

Pros of a wooden floor:

• Thanks to a rich choice of colors and textures, today parquet can be matched to any kitchen furniture.
• When restoring individual parts of the floor, it is not necessary to dismantle the entire floor covering.
• The wooden floor is not concrete, and the natural heat in the kitchen is provided.
• Environmental friendliness of the material.

Flaws:

• Modern parquet, although protected from moisture, but from excess moisture worth protecting it.
• Dropped sharp and heavy objects may leave marks on the parquet.
• Relatively high cost of the material.

Cork. Cork flooring as a floor covering has been around for a long time, but has not gained its popularity. For the kitchen, cork, in fact, is perfect material, as it is warm and soft, even walking on such natural coating very useful for the spine.

Even if a heavy object falls on the floor, no rumble and noise will be heard at all, and defects will remain invisible, since the cork is an elastic material. And besides, if the surface of the cork is protected with a wax coating, then water resistance is guaranteed.

Cork is an antistatic material, that is, it does not collect dust on itself, and caring for it is very simple, just wipe it with a damp cloth, it has a long service life, you can learn more about the pros and cons of a cork floor.

What if, in the kitchen, the floors are made of tiles. Ceramic tile is quite a popular flooring material. And for the kitchen, this is one of the best options, with the exception of some drawbacks, which we will discuss below.

According to the given four criteria, the tile is one of the most waterproof materials, even if there is significant grease contamination, it is much easier to wipe it off. As for the strength impact, this is its disadvantage, however, in such cases it can be combined with other floor materials, that is, in working area, you can lay parquet, .

Another disadvantage of tiles is the constantly cold floor in the kitchen, but this disadvantage, especially in winter, can be corrected by laying.

The wear resistance of tiles depends largely on the choice of the buyer, and they are divided into classes, usually this marking is indicated on the packaging of the material, the first and second classes are laid in bathrooms, the third class is an apartment option, the fourth is well suited for a cafe, and the fifth is mainly for shopping centers.

As an option for the kitchen, ceramic tiles with a matte surface or with a small ribbed texture are better suited.

Can you make laminate flooring? Laminate is one of the most popular and affordable flooring for the home. It is also valued for its ability to imitate expensive parquet. But at least for the kitchen, it's better to choose special kind such a coating, that is, having the greatest moisture resistance and abrasion resistance. Remember, the more expensive, the stronger.

Combined floors. Combining multiple floor coverings is one of the design tricks. After all, you want to choose the material for general style interior, but also to be practical.

For example, in the kitchen in the dining area, you can lay a laminate or parquet board, and make a working one from ceramic tiles, or combine laminate with parquet. In general, it all depends on your imagination and the interior of your kitchen.

When combining different floors, consider their thickness, that is, transitions and joints.

Summing up, our good advice, when choosing flooring for the kitchen, keep in mind that if you take care of them carefully, they will last you a very, very long time.

When choosing flooring for your kitchen, there are many important things to consider. To the question: “what is better to lay on the floor in the kitchen”, perhaps, there is no unequivocal answer, here you can only give a few recommendations, and then everyone chooses the most suitable material. We will consider the advantages and disadvantages of a particular floor covering, after reading which you can make an informed decision.

Choosing what is best to put on the floor in the kitchen, you need to comparative analysis materials

Basic requirements for kitchen flooring

When determining what is best to lay on the floor in the kitchen, you should be guided by the following requirements that modern flooring must meet.

The floor in the kitchen must be moisture resistant, environmentally friendly, wear-resistant and durable.

• Water resistance. Since the kitchen is the second room after the bath to be exposed to moisture, this parameter is very important. Vapors from cooking, splashes from washing dishes, washing the floor itself - all this imposes certain requirements on the properties of the material.

Always in the kitchen elevated level humidity and this should be taken into account when choosing a coating

• impact resistance. A pot, frying pan or some other piece of kitchen utensil can fall on the floor, so the coating must be sufficiently resistant to impact. This parameter should be provided, because otherwise you may need to raise a significant part of the floor in order to change the damaged element.

In order not to be afraid to accidentally drop the pan on the floor and damage the floor, you need to choose a durable coating

An ideal floor covering can easily withstand the blow of a cauldron or a cast-iron pan. Naturally, the price of such floors is somewhat higher, but in this case, you need to pay attention primarily to the quality of the purchased materials.