That you can lay the floor of the kitchen. What is the best floor for the kitchen? PVC floor tiles in the kitchen - a floor covering that is easy to install and use

When choosing a floor for the kitchen, it is important to consider many nuances. An ideal kitchen floor should not be afraid of grease, moisture, or accidental scratches. It is easy to wash and stains do not linger on it. Today we will try to figure out how to choose the right flooring for the kitchen and what to look for Special attention.

What will be the floor in your kitchen depends not only on the style of the interior. It is very important to make sure that there is a suitable base for the coating you choose. What surface will the new flooring be placed on? You might be able to make do with what you have. Or maybe you have to make the floor from scratch and perfectly level the surface.

The quality of surface preparation will determine the life of the kitchen floor, so it is better to consult with a specialist before choosing a floor covering. Do you want to install underfloor heating in your kitchen? Then you will have to use only those types of coatings that are specifically designed for underfloor heating and have a high thermal conductivity.

What will the new kitchen floor look like? Laconic, which serves only as a background for kitchen set, finishes and accessories, or spectacular, pretending to become the main element of the decor itself? Often, designers offer such a solution for the kitchen: combine two floor coverings, depending on the functional area.

For example, in the working area, the kitchen floor is lined with practical ceramics - tiles or porcelain stoneware, and in the dining room, natural wood, parquet or laminate is laid on the floor. This option is very good for a kitchen combined with a living room. For a small kitchen, you should choose a uniform and uniform floor covering. Such a floor will help visually increase small space and make it more harmonious.

Let's take a look at which flooring is right for your kitchen and what you need to know before making your choice.

Linoleum floor in the kitchen

artificial and natural linoleum- very practical option flooring for the kitchen. He has a lot of advantages. Firstly, attractive price. At the same time, it is strikingly different from its Soviet predecessors, which were remembered for their dull colors and poor quality.

Modern synthetic linoleum lasts 8-10 years, is highly wear resistant and creates good heat and sound insulation. For the floor in the kitchen, you should choose linoleum with a thicker protective layer.

Linoleum is very unpretentious in care. It is easy to clean, and this is an important plus for the kitchen floor. The great advantage of linoleum is that it is easy to put it on your own. In addition, linoleum provides great opportunities for design experiments.

Manufacturers today offer the most linoleum different colors, patterns and textures. For example, it can imitate parquet, wood, stone and even metal. An interesting option- linoleum in the form of tiles, from which you can collect various patterns and ornaments.

Of course, synthetic linoleum is not the most eco-friendly option floor covering. Experts advise: do not buy cheap linoleum especially in the markets. Pay attention to the smell - the stronger the linoleum smells, the lower its environmental safety.

Read the label carefully - some types of linoleum can only be used in non-residential premises, for example, on a loggia. More expensive options - artoliums and mormoliums - are safer from an environmental point of view, but also cost more than ordinary linoleum.

You will find a very detailed and useful post about the types of linoleum for the home and the features of choosing this flooring.

Cork kitchen floor

Cork floors will appeal to lovers of natural eco-friendly materials. Cork flooring is made from the bark of a cork oak, which is removed from a growing tree every few years. Cork floors are very comfortable for the feet and help reduce stress on the joints and spine.

Elastic cork pleasantly "springs", creates a feeling of a warm floor and has excellent soundproofing. On such a floor, it is almost impossible to slip. Since cork is a natural antistatic agent, it hardly attracts dust. Therefore, cork floors - perfect option for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

It is believed that the cork is unique and its bioenergetic properties and has a very beneficial effect on the human body. Cork flooring in the kitchen is easy to clean and stain resistant. A cork floor will fit perfectly into almost any interior. Fortunately, cork coatings have a very different texture and come in a variety of shades.

The cork floor, covered with a special varnish, can be used in the kitchen without fear. A properly laid floor is not afraid of moisture and is quite capable of surviving small spills of liquid.

Liquid linoleum in the kitchen

Liquid linoleum is often called a polymer self-leveling floor. . Outwardly, this coating resembles linoleum, to the touch - tiles. The self-leveling floor is very unpretentious in operation and is not afraid of mechanical damage. The beauty of this coating is that the surface of the floor in the kitchen will be smooth and seamless.

The self-leveling floor can be made in any color and supplemented with a variety of patterns, inserts and other decorative elements. However, if you decide to change the flooring after a while, it will be quite difficult to remove the liquid linoleum.

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 prone to high humidity and additional water activities like 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 in the construction market there are a lot of floor coverings, such as linoleum, laminate, parquet board, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, 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 help modern technologies, parquet 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 better preference give to hardwoods, as they are harder in nature and have high wear resistance. Mainly parquet board and block parquet, are processed special composition prolonging their life. But as additional protection from 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 water-resistant 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 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.

Almost every person has to deal with the choice of floors for the kitchen at some time. On the modern market there are many different materials that can be used to equip the kitchen floor. The main thing is that this material normally tolerates exposure to moisture, various kinds of pollutants and is not afraid of accidental scratches and other minor damage. The ideal flooring should be easy and quick to clean.

When choosing a specific material, you need to pay attention to a number of important points, without knowing which you can simply waste money.

The kitchen floor should, of course, fit well into the interior of this room.. However, this is not the most important point. First of all, you need to make sure that there is a suitable basis for the material you like. Consider whether you can make do with what is already in your kitchen, or whether you will have to deal with a radical redo of the floor. At this stage, you need to decide for yourself whether you are ready for this kind of cost.

The quality of the base directly affects the service life finish coat, so to this issue should be treated with the utmost responsibility.

If you plan to deal with the arrangement of a warm floor, keep in mind that with existing systems not every coating can interact normally. In such situations, a material is needed, first of all, characterized high rate thermal conductivity.

Consider the design of the future kitchen floor. The coating can be concise and serve as a background for all interior elements, or it can be bright and independently set the main accents. Quite often, a technique is used, according to which two different coatings are combined taking into account the characteristics of a particular functional area.

For example, in the working part of the room for cladding, you can use simple and practical ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware, and at the installation site dining table finish the floor using natural wood or other materials based on it. This option is perfect for kitchens combined with living rooms and having a spacious area. In a small room, it is best to use a monophonic and homogeneous material, because. the combined coating will visually reduce the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room even more.

Having dealt with the fundamental points, you can proceed to study the features of each of the most popular materials used as floor coverings in kitchens.

Linoleum can be made from natural and artificial materials. It is a very practical and convenient option for the kitchen with many significant advantages, among which one of the main ones is affordable price. Modern linoleum serves perfectly for 10 years or more, is characterized by high resistance to various damages, excellent noise and thermal insulation properties. In kitchens, material with a thickened protective layer is usually laid.

Another weighty argument in favor of linoleum is its unpretentiousness in care. The material is very easy to clean, which is especially important for kitchens. Linoleum is easy to install with your own hands. This does not require any special tools and knowledge.

If linoleum is laid on a wooden floor, read detailed instructions.

If you need to understand the intricacies of laying linoleum on a concrete floor, read the publication

There are many different textures and colors available on the modern market, so you can easily choose linoleum that fits perfectly into the interior of your particular kitchen.

Be sure to read the labeling of linoleum before buying it and additionally consult with the seller, because. some types of this material are suitable exclusively for non-residential premises. There are more modern improved versions of linoleum - this is marmoleums and artoleums. They win in terms of environmental friendliness, but lose in terms of cost.

Connoisseurs natural finish you should pay attention to cork flooring. For its manufacture, cork oak bark is used. Such material is pleasant and even useful for human feet. The material is absolutely safe for health, it is incredibly difficult to slip on the “cork”, even with a strong desire. Due to the fact that the cork almost does not attract dust and other small debris, such a floor is ideal for apartments and houses where asthmatics and people prone to allergies live.

The cork floor is unpretentious in leaving. Such a coating fits perfectly into the vast majority of interiors. Cork can have a wide variety of shades and textures. In the case of use in the kitchen, the material must be treated with a special protective varnish. This will make it as resistant to liquid as possible, but experts recommend avoiding even small “floods” if possible.

Features of the use of wood for arranging the floor in the kitchen

Natural wood is a wonderful material that can make the interior of any kitchen more respectable, refined and rich. Natural wood looks especially good in kitchens decorated in classical style and country style. The best addition to such a floor will be wood furniture and related accessories.

One of the main disadvantages, due to which many people refuse to use natural wood, is its high cost. In addition, such material does not tolerate temperature and humidity changes very well, therefore it is recommended to use it in the kitchen only for arranging the dining area, and cover the rest of the floor with porcelain stoneware or practical ceramic tiles.

Wood must be treated with a protective varnish or oil. Such processing will reduce the porosity of the material, help increase its strength and protect it from the harmful effects of moisture and various pollutants.

When choosing natural wood to arrange the floor in the kitchen you need to be prepared for regular care and processing. Wood does not tolerate almost any stain.

However, despite the high cost and whimsical wood is the best option on presentability and safety for human health.

The use of laminate as a kitchen flooring

A good alternative to natural wood is quality laminate. It is not as environmentally friendly as cork and wood, but it also has a number of significant advantages, including higher resistance to various adverse external influences.

On the modern market there is a laminate that imitates all existing types of wood, even the most exotic and expensive ones. Some types of coatings very successfully imitate materials such as marble, granite, etc. Also, among the important advantages of the laminate, it is necessary to include the possibility of its joint use with the underfloor heating system. At the same time, the price of the material is quite affordable for almost everyone.

Among the shortcomings of this floor should be attributed not the most better stability to moisture, so when using it in the kitchen, special attention should be paid to waterproofing the base. In the future, you will have to constantly monitor so that the coating does not get excess moisture. If you wish, you can spend a little more money and buy special moisture-resistant laminate panels.

When choosing a laminate, it is recommended to pay attention to the products of well-known and proven manufacturing companies. Be sure to ask the seller for a hygiene certificate. Do not forget to pay attention to what load each specific type of material is designed for.

The most popular coating, most commonly used for finishing kitchen floors, is ceramic tile. The tiles are very easy to use. It's practical and inexpensive material, presented in the widest variety of colors and design solutions. Ceramic flooring can be laid on the floor parallel way or diagonally. The second option, if implemented correctly, looks more advantageous, but contributes to an increase in material consumption.

The indisputable advantages of modern ceramic tiles include its ability to imitate almost all existing materials. The tile is completely safe for human health. He is not afraid of direct solar radiation, household chemicals and even electricity.

However, with all its many advantages, tiles also have a number of important disadvantages, the most significant of which is its "coldness". Tiled floors are unlikely to appeal to people who are used to walking around the house without shoes. Therefore, many owners decide to install the underfloor heating system before laying the tiles.

It is best to use unglazed matte tiles to cover the kitchen floor, because. it is not as slippery as compared to its glossy counterpart. In terms of hardness for the kitchen, an indicator of 4-5 will be quite enough, in terms of wear resistance - 3-4.

If, as a finishing material for the floor in the kitchen, the choice was tiles about how to properly install this species coverage, read the publication

Porcelain stoneware is beautiful in its own way. performance characteristics material. It normally tolerates temperature changes and is not afraid of moisture. It is very hard, especially when compared with tiles, material and is excellent for lining the kitchen floor.

Porcelain stoneware quite often imitates various natural materials, which allows you to create the most original and successful interiors. It can have a matte and polished surface. In kitchens, it is preferable to use a matte version.

Useful information about self-leveling floors for the kitchen

Self-leveling floors are often called liquid linoleum. Outwardly, this material is similar to linoleum, but to the touch it is more like a tile. Among the main advantages of this material, high mechanical resistance and unpretentiousness in use should be noted.

When arranging liquid linoleum, you do not need to create seams, which makes the floor more beautiful and presentable.

Available for sale big choice colors and design options for liquid linoleum, which allows you to beautifully decorate the kitchen floor and fit it into the existing interior as organically as possible.

Before buying a material, keep in mind the fact that it is quite difficult to get rid of liquid linoleum, so if in the future you want to use a different floor covering, this may cause all sorts of difficulties.

Thus, in the kitchen, you can make a floor using almost any material. Focus on the features of the operation of your particular kitchen, affordable budget and personal preferences, remember the features, benefits and weaknesses each material considered and you will be able to make the right choice.

Olga Nikitina

Reading time: 16 minutes

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When choosing flooring for the kitchen, you need to take into account a lot of nuances - ease of cleaning, resistance to abrasion and moisture, and much more. How to choose the right coverage, and what you need to remember?

• What exactly do you want?
• How much coverage will the budget cover?
• What coverage will be optimal in relation to the existing or proposed interior?
• Does the selected option meet the requirements that are put forward for kitchen flooring?
• Are the floors meant to be warm, or will you get by with the usual ones?
• Will one material be used as a coating, or will a combination of materials be considered?
• Do you need visual magnification space, or is your kitchen ample size to allow you to choose the color of the flooring without restrictions?

Practical floors in the kitchen - properties that a kitchen floor covering should have

Of course, not every coating meets all these requirements. But you also need to remember the availability of a suitable base, as well as the aesthetics and compliance of the coating with the general appearance of the kitchen. Therefore, it is better to understand in advance the types of flooring and their properties.

Types of flooring for the kitchen:

Parquet and parquet board in the kitchen - in the practice of the hostess

What should be remembered?
moisture resistant wooden parquet, which is produced using new unique technologies, is not afraid of moisture. Neither a parquet board, nor even a two-layer parquet, will suffer even from a sudden flood in the kitchen (unless, of course, the consequences of the flood are immediately eliminated).
When choosing parquet, pay attention to hardwood flooring - they are highly wear-resistant and durable.
The parquet board must be treated with a composition that prolongs the durability of the material. Also, a thick layer of high-quality varnish will protect the tree from various negative influences.
Advantages of parquet, parquet board

• The wooden floor is the natural warmth in the kitchen.
• A wide range of wood species, colors and plank laying options.
• Additional comfort in the house.
• Ecological purity.

Disadvantages of parquet, parquet board

• Despite the moisture resistance of modern parquet boards, it is desirable to protect the coating from excessive exposure to moisture.
• Heavy or sharp objects falling on the parquet leave marks, and the coating has to be restored.
• High price.

Cork flooring for the kitchen - natural flooring

Coating Benefits:

Disadvantages of cork flooring for the kitchen

• Despite the mass positive properties, the cork floor can be damaged by sharp objects, hot grease and flooding. You can avoid this if you purchase a cork cloth protected by a varnish (wax) coating.
• Lacquer or wax coating, in turn, spoils the natural feeling of the cork floor.
• A cork floor based on MDF serves a multiple less than a pure cork floor.
• High price.

Ceramic and stone floor tiles - is it worth laying tiles in the kitchen?

Advantages of ceramic and stone tiles

Disadvantages of ceramic coating

• Ceramic tiles are afraid of hitting heavy objects. She will not survive the fall of a hammer or a cauldron.
• Dishes that fall on the tiles will break in 99% of cases.
• stone tile- more impact resistant, but here the downside is its high cost.
• on stone and ceramic floor cold feet. If you are used to walking barefoot, then for this coverage you should buy yourself slippers, a moisture-resistant rug or a warm floor system.

What should be remembered when choosing ceramic and stone coating?

• When choosing tiles for your kitchen, look for options with a surface finish that won't turn your floor into a skating rink when you cook.
• If you have children in your home, or you're just worried that you might accidentally drop something, then buy tiles with a margin. In order to replace the chipped element with liquid nails in case of damage.

Laminate in the kitchen - cheap or cheerful?

Advantages of laminate for the kitchen

Disadvantages of laminate kitchen flooring

• Synthetic coating (not natural).
• Swelling at high volumes of moisture.
• Easily damaged by falling heavy objects or moving furniture.
• Afraid of exposure to aggressive chemicals.
• It is difficult to wash off grease and dyes.
• Picks up dust quickly.

Linoleum for the kitchen floor - an economical and sustainable coating

Advantages of linoleum for the kitchen floor

Disadvantages of linoleum for the floor in the kitchen

• Afraid of hot objects and high temperatures.
• Easily deformed in places where moisture accumulates.
• Does not like aggressive cleaning with chemicals (spoils appearance).
• Tears from heavy furniture, refrigerator, etc.
• Collects dust very well.
• Fades over time with exposure to the sun.
• Inconvenient fit.

Of course, all these shortcomings apply more to vinyl coatings. Natural linoleum (marmoleum) very durable and environmentally friendly. It has antistatic properties, does not rot, and leaves no traces on it after furniture has been moved. But it also costs significantly more than its synthetic "copy".

PVC floor tiles in the kitchen - a floor covering that is easy to install and use

In fact, this is the same linoleum, but cut into strips or tiles. Accordingly, the main advantages and disadvantages are similar to the properties of linoleum.
Benefits of PVC Kitchen Floor Tiles

Disadvantages of PVC tiles

• A large number of seams after laying, into which moisture enters after. As a result, the tiles peel off, and the floor covering loses its aesthetic appearance. To avoid this, all seams should be treated with a moisture-proof compound.
• Over time, swelling around the edges is possible.
• Damaged by falling sharp objects.
• Blooms in the sun.
• Short service life.

Cement is a durable kitchen flooring

Benefits of cement coating

Disadvantages of cement coating

• Cold floor. You can't walk barefoot.
• Complex styling. You can't do without professionals.
• Porosity. And, accordingly, the need to create a special coating to protect against stains.

Bamboo floor in the kitchen - convenient or just fashionable?

Benefits of bamboo flooring

Disadvantages of bamboo flooring

• Small assortment of flowers.
• Less high resistance to moisture, in comparison with other materials.
• Risk of deformation under conditions of high humidity.

Should I put carpet on the floor in the kitchen?

Benefits of carpeting

• Pleasant to the touch.

Coating Disadvantages

• Difficulty in cleaning. Washing grease or spilled soup from carpet is very difficult.
• When wet, the carpet dries for a very long time and even begins to rot.
• Collects dust very well.
• Harmful for asthmatics.

In short, carpet is the worst flooring you can choose for your kitchen. If the desire to walk barefoot on the “soft” even in the kitchen is irresistible, then there is always such an option as carpet or a separate piece of carpet. It, in case of contamination, can be washed and dried on the balcony.

Combination of floor coverings in the kitchen

If you cannot decide on the choice of material, then think about the option of combining coatings. It will not only allow you to lay both coatings you like, but also visually zone the kitchen. For example, cover the working area with tiles that are not afraid of moisture and grease, and the dining area - cork coating. What you need to know when combining flooring in the kitchen?

• Materials suitable for the work area: linoleum, pvc tiles, ceramic tiles, natural stone.
• Materials for the dining area: carpet, cork, parquet, parquet board.
• Do not forget about the thickness of the materials - they must be equivalent. Or you will have to level the floor in one of the zones in accordance with the thickness of the materials.
• Transitions and joints should not only be aesthetically pleasingly hidden, but also protected from injury. The hostess should not stumble when moving from one zone to another.

A special room in each apartment is the kitchen. Its comfort and landscaping largely depend on the right choice of finishing materials. The main loads fall on the kitchen floor, it must withstand numerous emergencies, as well as be resistant to them, not lose its original form and wash well.

What floor to do in the kitchen, everyone decides for himself based on the situation in this room, his preferences and Money. You should carefully choose it, based on the recommendations of experts together with your experience.

What should be the kitchen floor?

Kitchen flooring exposed negative impact high temperatures, high humidity, grease and chemically aggressive materials. This adversely affects the condition of the floor, entails its rapid wear. Therefore, when choosing a material, it is necessary to take into account the main criteria:

• moisture resistance;
• high hygiene (the floor should be easy to clean);
• mechanical strength (with various random impacts);
• resistance to aggressive detergents;
• durability;
• perfectly flat surface;
• aesthetic appearance;
• practicality;
• wear resistance.

Many modern coatings meet these requirements, but all of them, without exception, have positive and negative sides. Let's consider each of the materials in more detail.

Varieties of floor coverings for the kitchen Many of the above requirements are met Decoration Materials: widely used tiles, wear-resistant linoleum, beautiful laminate, eco-friendly cork floor, perfectly flat bulk coating and even ordinary boards, if they are treated with special protective equipment, which will give them the desired properties.

Wooden floor (parquet, parquet board)

For the kitchen, you should choose a moisture-resistant option with a triple lacquer application, pre-treated with special protective coatings for durability. Its replacement can be a parquet board. It has a multi-layer texture, consisting of environmentally friendly clean materials. The strength of the board depends on the thickness of the top layer. Both of these coatings can demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses in operation.

pros

• made from natural materials;
• provide warmth to the floor;
• a wide selection of wood species;
• eco-friendly coating;
• a variety of styling ("herringbone", "braid", etc.);
• when repairing failed sections, it will not be necessary to dismantle the entire
• surface, it is enough just to replace the damaged part;
• the parquet board is easy to install, as it has special locks along the edges, which
• provide high density fit of individual canvases;
• do not require special care (well cleaned).

Minuses

• a large amount of moisture can significantly affect the parquet and warp it;
• high price;
• falling heavy or sharp objects leave marks on such a surface.

Laminate

The peculiarity of this type is that it looks harmonious with parquet, and also perfectly imitates the structure of any tree. Preference should be given to waterproof products above class 32. Upper layer, which does not absorb and does not pass moisture, but for more than three hours it can not be left on their surface. This will lead to liquid seepage into the depth where the pressed material is located, which, when interacting with water, tends to swell quickly.

pros

• ease of installation (has grooves for connecting boards to each other);
• affordable price;
• beautiful appearance;
• rich assortment of colors;
• easy to replace damaged parts.

Minuses

• made of artificial materials;
• allows moisture to pass through, therefore it tends to swell;
• gets dirty quickly
• difficult to wash off oily and coloring stains;
• its surface withstands only light detergents;
• unstable to mechanical influences.

cork floor

It is light, natural and breathable facing material. This is a kind of magical coating that will protect young children from colds, because it tends to be constantly warm. It is comfortable not only to walk on it, but also to crawl. And for adults, it will help relieve tension from the spine. He will give odds to any of his counterparts.

pros

• natural warmth;
• softness;
• moisture resistance;
• does not require special care, and when dirty, it is easy to clean;
• environmental friendliness;
• cork is antistatic;
• has a variety of structures.

Minuses

• if the cork floor has protective coatings (varnish or wax), then they exclude pleasant sensations from the natural structure of this material;
• without protective coatings it is unstable to various shocks and impacts;
  high price.

Porcelain, stone or ceramic tiles

Since Soviet times, tiles have often been used both on the walls of the kitchen and on its floor. You should choose it with a rough surface in order to protect yourself from injury in the future. After all, even a small puddle or floors that have not yet dried after washing can cause falls on a smooth surface.

pros

• hard surface;
• is not afraid of moisture and does not let it through;
• appearance;
• a wide range of colors and the possibility of combining different options;
• does not burn out;
• easy to clean;
• resistant to various chemical influences;
• does not deform.

Minuses

• always gives cold;
• can easily break from the impact of a heavy object. Stone tiles are not affected by this, but have a high price.

In some ways it is similar to linoleum, only produced in the form square tiles. Possesses multilayer structure, due to which it has a number of advantages over other types of coatings.

pros

• easy to transport;
• has higher strength characteristics than any type of linoleum;
• a huge selection of colors;
• imitates almost any structure;
• much warmer than any tile or laminate;
• not afraid of moisture;
• does not swell and does not split;
• easy to replace a single part;
• possibility different styling(checkerboard, diamonds, etc.).

Minuses

• many butt joints that require some care;
• damaged by falling sharp objects;
• fade;
• made from artificial materials.

Linoleum

Its natural appearance called marmoleum is highly durable and natural. It does not rot, is antistatic and is not subject to mechanical stress, but it costs much more than its artificial counterpart. Most often, however, the choice is made in favor of the latter, so consider its advantages and disadvantages.

pros

• moisture resistance;
• soft warm surface;
• wear resistance;
• acceptable price;
• It does not require special care;
• easy to clean and grease;
• a huge range of patterns and colors;
• not damaged by heavy objects falling on it.

Minuses

• afraid of high temperatures;
• collects dust;
• inconvenient transportation, as well as installation;
• subject to deformation in places where fluid accumulates.

self-leveling floor

It is also called liquid linoleum. Outwardly, it really looks like it, but in terms of contact sensations it is more similar to tiles. The self-leveling floor has a stunning appearance, its perfectly smooth surface can contain various inserts (wooden, metal or plastic). Different drawings can be made on it, even with a 3D effect.

pros

• unpretentious in care;
• durable;
• has a beautiful view;
• its surface has no seams;
• can be combined with various materials in the form of inserts;
• moisture resistant;
• does not respond to mechanical damage.

Minuses

• it is difficult to dismantle;
• takes a long time to dry after washing.

Not the most the best choice for kitchen. If you really want to walk barefoot on a soft surface, it's easier to buy a carpet or a piece of this material. They can be individually cleaned or replaced.

pros

• pleasant feeling for the legs;
• surface heat;
• creating comfort.

Minuses

• carpet like a sponge absorbs all the dust, therefore it is contraindicated for asthmatics;
• it is very difficult to clean;
• when moisture enters, it absorbs it, dries for a long time and can rot.

Combination of floor coverings in the kitchen

After much thought and difficulty in choosing, you can stop at the option of using several coatings at the same time. This method is very useful when zoning the kitchen and dining room or living room in a studio apartment.

You can make the working area of ​​the kitchen with linoleum, PVC tiles or its ceramic counterpart, and in the rest of the room lay more warm material: carpet, parquet or cork. The main thing is that the thickness of the selected coatings be equal. Joints of materials with different textures should be properly camouflaged, not attract visual attention and not be felt when walking.

If you have not yet decided which floors are better to make in the kitchen, then you should heed the advice of professionals. Here are the most important ones:

• for a small kitchen should be avoided large drawings and decorative elements on the floor. Small images will not look intrusive and embellish a small space;
• parquet laid with a simple and original "deck" method will visually expand the territory of the kitchen;
• to create a cozy atmosphere, you should choose a coating of warm shades;
• the glossy surface of the floor expands the space of the room, and the matte one conceals it.

Having talked about a few nuances of each type of flooring for the kitchen, we hope that we have helped you to consciously approach its choice. After all, it should serve and delight you with its appearance for more than one year.