The kitchen floor is always subjected to serious tests: it gets dirty and scratched, food and dishes are dropped on it, and water is spilled on it. What coating will withstand such tests? Laminate can decorate your kitchen and cope with all the hardships, but for this it must meet a number of requirements. Is it possible to put laminate flooring on the kitchen floor? Let's consider the pros and evaluate the possible cons.
Features of laminate flooring for the kitchen
Laminate is an unnatural material; it is made from wood raw materials. But this is enough for it to absorb moisture and swell, although not as much as a solid board, for example. Therefore, not just any type of it can be put into the kitchen.
Laminate board consists of several layers that perform specific functions:
- The base is a particle-wood panel responsible for mechanical strength.
- The bottom and top layers provide resistance to damage and protection from moisture.
- The paper underneath the top layer of melamine resin provides visual appeal.
Most often, laminate is preferred for its decorative properties. In addition, it is warmer and more pleasant to the touch than porcelain stoneware or.
When choosing coatings for rooms such as the kitchen, you need to pay attention not only to aesthetics, but also to functionality. First of all, such a coating must be moisture resistant. This means that the panel itself must contain resin, and not just a special coating on top and bottom.
There are several degrees of moisture resistance for laminate boards:
- Standard.
The laminate has a density of 900 kg/cub.m. This means that it can withstand exposure to water for 3 hours without swelling and does not deform after drying.
This type is suitable for those who spend a lot of time at home and can immediately notice a leak. But if you are away from home most of the day, then it is better not to risk it.
- Moisture resistant.
This laminate contains more resin than wood raw materials. The plus is that. that he is able to survive under the pressure of water for 6 hours. Moisture-resistant laminate is chosen mainly for kitchen areas. - Water resistant.
This laminate consists of plastic. It can easily withstand floods and high loads. Its coating can imitate stone, wood, tile or any other pattern.
This type of plastic-based laminated board is suitable even for the bathroom.
This laminate has the highest strength class 34, but is thinner than usual, warmer to the touch, is not susceptible to mold and has excellent sound insulation.
Laminate and warm floor
But if you want not only a beautiful, but also a warm coating, another question will arise: is it possible to lay laminate flooring on a warm floor?
Yes, you can. This is a definite advantage, but the laminate must be specifically designed for this.
Such material is checked and marked with special marks, which means that it is recommended for installation in conjunction with underfloor heating systems.
What to look for when buying laminate
We have already dealt with the question of whether it is possible to lay.
Now let’s decide what properties a laminated board should have so that it can be laid in the kitchen:
- Density. It must be indicated in the instructions. The density must be at least 900 kg/cub.m.
- Strength class. As mentioned above - from 32 to 34 grades.
- Lock connections. They must be treated with paraffin or wax. Otherwise, if water gets in, the panel seams will be damaged.
This parameter will not be relevant if the laminate is laid with glue.
- No cracks. The fewer gaps there are on the kitchen surface, the better.
- Moisture-resistant bottom layer. The panels are covered on the reverse side with waterproof material.
Before purchasing, it is better to check the laminate for moisture resistance: to do this, put a piece of the board in water and after 10 minutes evaluate what will happen to it after drying. High-quality material should not swell, and after drying it should retain its shape.
If we talk about strength class 34, then after 5 hours in water nothing should happen to it, and after drying it has the same appearance as initially.
Let's look at the specifics of installation and operation of this floor:
- If you do it yourself, then strictly follow the instructions that come with the laminate.
- The backing for kitchen laminate should be polyethylene foam or a composite underlay. They additionally protect against moisture.
- The seams must be treated with sealant.
- Laminate floors should be washed with a damp cloth, wrung out well beforehand.
To avoid damage to the coating and shorten its service life if liquid gets on the floor, collect it as soon as possible and dry the surface.
How else can you use laminate in the kitchen?
Laminate boards of the same strength as for the floor can be used for wall cladding. The load on the material will be less, and the interior will be more original. In addition, this is a fairly practical solution, as it will cost less than tiles or tiles.
And if you are not going to make a protective apron from the laminate near the work surface, then you can use a laminated board of less strength.
If installed correctly, laminate flooring and walls will last you a long time. You will be able to evaluate all the advantages of using such a coating in the kitchen, and exclude possible disadvantages.
Thanks to the efforts of flooring developers and manufacturers, modern installation of laminate flooring in the kitchen does not present any particular difficulties even for novice tilers. You just need to follow the recommendations for preparing the base and strictly follow the sequence of assembly of the lamellas. You will also need a good tool, time and great patience, since assembling laminate flooring in a kitchen is still different from working in residential premises.
Ways to install laminate flooring in the kitchen
There is one peculiarity of laying laminate flooring in the kitchen with your own hands. The kitchen area differs from living rooms in its humidity and regular sanitary cleaning of the floor covering. The most important thing that frightens and stops apartment owners from installing laminate flooring in the kitchen is the possibility of a flood due to a water spill from a washing machine or a break in the water main. Water flows into the joints, and the expensive flooring in the kitchen turns into unusable trash.
Therefore, laying laminate flooring indoors is done in two ways:
- Adhesive installation. In this case, a moisture-resistant type of laminate coating is used. When laying slats on the kitchen floor, the ends are coated in the locking joints with sealant or a special elastic adhesive. The result is a coating in the kitchen that can withstand small and short-term water spills;
- Use of waterproof laminate. All preparatory procedures and the installation of the flooring itself are no different from installing laminate flooring in living rooms. The tightness of the coating is ensured due to the characteristics of waterproof lamellas and a special locking device.
For your information! Waterproof laminate brands are much more expensive than moisture resistant ones; when choosing a coating, pay attention to the class of the material. Waterproof coatings start from class 32.
According to experts, this laminate flooring in the kitchen can withstand for 20-30 minutes. a layer of water up to 5 cm, provided there is no mechanical load. If at this moment you do not walk on the waterproof laminate, then there will be no leaks, and half an hour will be enough to collect water from the laminate in the kitchen.
How to choose the right material for installation in the kitchen
The difference in cost between the two different types of laminate is quite significant, and if you use branded brands for installation, it is quite possible that for the price paid for waterproof laminate for the kitchen, you can install two or three rooms.
It is quite possible to choose moisture-resistant laminate brands for installation in the kitchen if the following conditions are met:
- There is no washing machine in the kitchen;
- There are new water and sewer pipes, high-quality taps and mixers;
- It is planned to lay a strip of tiled floor tiles along the future façade of the kitchen unit.
A small amount of water spilled on glued laminate flooring will not affect its quality and will not lead to repairs or installation of new material. But if at least one point is not met, it’s not worth the risk. In addition, waterproof laminate flooring has significantly higher abrasion resistance, so its repair or new installation, even under heavy load conditions in the kitchen, is done half as often as for moisture-resistant laminate flooring.
Sequence of the process of laying laminate flooring in the kitchen
First of all, you need to inspect the door frame. This needs to be done for two reasons:
- Firstly, before laying laminate flooring in the kitchen, you will need to decide on the method of joining the level of the kitchen laminate flooring to the threshold of the door frame or to the parquet if the door opening is made according to a threshold-free scheme;
- Secondly, it will be necessary to level the piece in front of the kitchen entrance in the same plane with the rest of the subfloor. Most often, a rise and fall of the concrete base is formed along the threshold.
For your information! It is known from practice that most defects in concrete floor screed are concentrated at the entrance to the room.
Hence the creaking of the new laminate immediately after installation, the subsidence of the coating, and even the edge of the lamella coming out from under the threshold. Such defects are most often found in private homes, but can sometimes be found in old apartment kitchens.
Preliminary calculation and selection of tools
The process of laying laminate flooring in the kitchen has one remarkable feature: if the calculation of the number of lamellas is made with an error, then the covering can be laid with one missing board, which will have to be hidden under the kitchen unit. It is clear that such a scheme significantly reduces the value and strength of a laminate floor. Most often, they resort to it if expensive imported material for installation was brought to order, and one strip was missing. Considering the enormous weight of the furniture cabinets in the kitchen, nothing will happen to the floor.
To calculate the number of slats, you will need to know the dimensions of the kitchen and the size of one strip. The calculation sequence is as follows:
- We divide the longitudinal size of the kitchen by the length of one strip of laminate, we get the number of pieces, for example, 6.2;
- We divide the width of the room by the transverse dimension of the lamella, we get the number of rows, for example, 17.7;
- We round and multiply 7x18 = 126, with 8 pieces in a package we get 17 packs.
It is best to buy kitchen material in advance and store it in a cool, dry place. You can begin laying laminate flooring only after completing all renovation work in the kitchen.
To work, you will need a jigsaw, a tape measure, a construction square, a construction knife, a hammer, a set of dowels with plugs, tape and lining material.
Preparing the floor for laying laminate
In theory, laminate flooring can be laid not only on a concrete base, but also on a wooden floor, an old floor covered with plywood, and even tiles. The main thing is that the base is as level as possible with the horizon and does not have defects on the surface exceeding 1-3 mm, depending on the substrate used.
The only exception is waterproof laminate class 34 or even class 43. The material is very expensive, but in terms of wear resistance we can say that it is eternal, so for a good coating it is best to remove the old floor and level the concrete base.
The simplest leveling option is to use a self-leveling mixture. If you have no experience in such work, then you can invite a specialist; the filling will take no more than an hour, and the procedure is inexpensive.
The pre-cleaned floor is primed with a potting mixture with double the amount of water, then a damper strip is glued along the perimeter of the kitchen and a self-leveling compound is poured. The filler is rolled with a needle roller, and after a day you can begin laying the laminate.
Laying lining material
To arrange the floor in the kitchen, two types of linings are used - coniferous mats and cork cloth. The material is laid on concrete in rows with mandatory bandaging of the seams. The joints must be glued with tape so that under load the lining material does not spread to the walls of the room.
The standard thickness of the lining is only 8 mm, therefore, if the work is carried out with the dismantling of the subfloor, sometimes you have to lay out two layers in order to guess the height of the rise of the laminate relative to the level of the threshold.
Laying laminate flooring in the classic way with locks
In the traditional version, laying the laminate begins from the far wall of the kitchen, moving towards the front door. Soft spacers are first laid around the perimeter, pressing and limiting the laid laminate flooring. There should be a gap of 5-10 mm between the kitchen walls and the ends, which will later be closed by installing skirting boards.
The first lamella is sometimes laid with a clamp on the glue, the next board is installed from the narrow part, joined into a lock and leveled on the substrate. The next row starts with half a board, this ensures that the joints are offset by half the length. The slats can be laid offset by a third or a quarter of the size, but it is worth considering that the beginning or ending piece should not be less than 20 cm.
If the installation is carried out with sizing, then the end and longitudinal tenons are initially glued, then the lamella is inserted into engagement with the end of the previous board, laid on the substrate and clicked into the lock of the previous row. Everything is done by hand, no hammer blows.
The last lamellas have to be cut so that part of the canvas extends at least 15-20 mm under the base of the future kitchen threshold.
Laying laminate flooring with glue
The technology of installing lamellas on an adhesive base is used mainly for waterproof coatings of class 33-34. The thickness of the PVC laminate board is only 5 mm, so the base must be perfectly level.
Laminate can be glued directly onto concrete, but it is best to prime the base first. This way ensures good penetration of the adhesive mass into the very dense structure of the self-leveling base. As a result, class 34 laminate does not peel off even under impact loads or uneven distribution of furniture, which any kitchen cannot do without.
A good primer makes it possible to save on glue consumption, although it is better not to think about saving when laying laminate flooring on a concrete kitchen floor. The glue is applied with a comb spatula along the entire length of the canvas; after laying the board, you need to check its position using a building level.
Installation of skirting boards
The installation of flooring in the kitchen is completed by sealing the walls with baseboards. Wooden baseboards are secured using dowels and plugs punched into the floor. Plastic plinth slats, depending on the design, are either glued to the walls or fixed with self-tapping screws. Good quality skirting slats ensure reliable pressure on the laminate flooring throughout the entire service life of the material.
Conclusion
Laying laminate flooring in the kitchen using the locking method is completed in 4-5 hours; installing the sheet with glue will require 10-12 hours. The total time required to dismantle the old layer, level or fill in the self-leveling mixture, install skirting boards is at least 4-5 hours In general, it takes two working days to repair the floors.
Quite often, laminate is called laminated parquet. It is an alternative to solid or parquet boards. Today, this coating reliably copies tiles and other materials. Many consumers are wondering whether it is possible to lay laminate flooring in the kitchen.
If you still haven’t decided for yourself how practical this will be, then you should take a closer look at this topcoat, which can be made in the form of an imitation of natural wood, worthy of replacing it in terms of performance characteristics. The basic rule of choice is to choose lamellas of the appropriate wear resistance class. This will allow you to get a non-staining and beautiful coating design that you can lay on your own.
Is it possible to install laminate flooring in the kitchen?
When choosing a material for a kitchen floor, many consumers think that laminate is not the most suitable for this room. But the modern building materials market offers such varieties of laminate, including those that are ideal for the kitchen.
When choosing a covering, you should opt for a moisture-resistant or waterproof laminate. In the kitchen, they will be ready to serve for quite a long time, despite the fact that the described room is characterized by an increase in humidity and temperature. A moisture-resistant coating will be exposed to water on the surface, which applies to the products themselves, but not to the joints. If water gets into this coating area, the sheets may swell and their internal structure may become deformed.
Even after complete drying, the laminate cannot be restored to its original appearance. In order to avoid such consequences of flooding or exposure to water, during installation it is necessary to treat the joints with mastic, which will protect the products from moisture penetration.
Having familiarized yourself with the intricacies of choosing a laminate for the kitchen, you will be able to understand that this coating can be waterproof; it perfectly withstands the ingress of water onto the joints and surface. The main difference between such products is that the basis of the moisture-resistant material is wood board with increased density and fibrous structure.
As for waterproof laminate for the kitchen, reviews say that it consists of a plastic board that does not absorb moisture and does not swell even with constant contact with moisture. The top layer is quite durable and is an adhesive mixture that is used to apply a decorative coating based on a water-repellent polymer. It protects the material from moisture and mechanical damage.
Selecting a laminate according to wear resistance class. Consumer Reviews
If you are deciding for yourself which laminate is best for the kitchen, customer reviews about this are worth reading. In their opinion, the described coating is sometimes quite difficult to distinguish from a floor made of cork, solid wood or parquet. Kitchen laminate flooring can even be chosen to imitate tiles.
For the kitchen, experts advise using laminate of 31st and 32nd classes. With such a coating, according to home craftsmen, you don’t have to worry about troubles such as fallen things, spilled hot oil or juice splashed on the floor. Such lamellas will be ready to last about 10 years.
On sale you can find coatings that correspond to a strength class, indicated by a two-digit number starting with two. This indicates a domestic floor covering that can be used in the home. However, it should not be subjected to heavy loads. Products of the 23rd class can be installed in the living room or dining room. According to consumers, class 32 collections in some cases can even be used in enterprises. This finishing material, like the one belonging to class 33, is five-layer and consists of:
- acrylic resin;
- paper;
- moisture-resistant film;
- decorative layer;
- the base is made of HDF, which is a high-density wood board.
According to buyers, the board of 21-23 classes has three layers, because of this it is not so durable, which means it is intended for rooms where there is little foot traffic. This coating will be ready to last about 7 years.
What is better to choose - laminate or tile?
When choosing a kitchen floor, you can consider laminate or tile. Quite often these coatings are compared with each other. It is important to take into account that there will be an abundance of water vapor in the room, as well as negative impacts due to the type of water. When choosing a coating, you need to consider how much splashes fall on the floor when washing dishes. For this reason, many consumers choose tiles over laminate. However, there is also a second side to the coin.
Tiles are more practical, easier to care for, and are not afraid of moisture. But it should be borne in mind that the ceramics will remain cold after installation, creating discomfort. If you like to walk barefoot, but the kitchen does not have a heated floor system, then it is better to choose laminate.
Selection by damage resistance
After reading the reviews about laminate flooring in the kitchen, you will be able to understand that if heavy objects like a knife with a metal handle or a cup are dropped, the surface can be damaged, as can ceramic products (the latter can develop dents and chips). The tile may simply crack. And on the smooth base of the tiles it is easy to slip, which increases the risk of injury.
The building materials market offers ceramics that have a matte surface, which reduces the likelihood of falling. When choosing between laminate and tile, you should choose the material with which it is most convenient for you to work, since it is quite difficult to identify a leader based on other criteria.
Reviews of cork laminate
Cork laminate is a product with a tongue-and-groove locking joint at the joints. This is what makes this coating similar to traditional laminate, and installation is carried out using the same technology. Lock panels vary in size, their thickness can be 10 mm, while the length is 900 mm and the width is 300 mm.
The bottom layer is a backing made of crushed cork, its thickness is 2 mm. Next comes HDF or MDF board. The material is made from wood fibers by pressing under high temperature. The front layer is a cork made of crumbs with veneer glued on top. It is made from cork or valuable wood.
Why choose a cork
Consumers emphasize that you can purchase a budget version of unvarnished cork laminate, which is varnished after installation work is completed. Reviews of cork laminate for the kitchen say that this coating is pleasant to the touch. Even in winter you can walk on it barefoot. The products have noise-insulating characteristics. Consumers also like the fact that cork is a hypoallergenic material that is safe for health. The coating is not electrified and does not collect dust. It has dirt-repellent properties.
Traditional laminate laying technology
The unevenness of the floor when installing laminate should not exceed 2 mm per 2 m2. The old concrete flooring needs to be repaired and the wood flooring needs to be inspected to replace any worn out boards. The cement screed is covered with primer, and the board or plywood covering is sanded to eliminate minor irregularities.
After reading reviews about laminate flooring in the kitchen, you will be able to identify the need for laying a backing and an insulating layer. This will prevent the material from coming into contact with a surface that releases moisture. The deformation gap around the perimeter of the room when laying the laminate should be 10 mm.
Installation of slats and installation of skirting boards
It is necessary to start laying the panels in the direction from the window. After installing the first row, trim the short panel. The boards of the second row are applied to adjacent products at an angle of 45 °. The last lamella is installed using a clamp, which will allow it to remain motionless.
Laminate flooring is often called "laminated flooring" and is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood or solid wood flooring. This is exactly how it was intended by the manufacturers, and today it can reliably copy tiles. If you want the whole apartment to have the same floor, then you most likely wondered whether it is possible to lay laminate flooring in the kitchen and how practical it will be. Rest assured, modern laminate can not only copy ceramics and wood, but also adequately replace them in terms of its performance characteristics. The main thing is to choose the right wear resistance class, type of coating, beautiful and non-marking design, and, of course, install it with high quality with your own hands.
Laminate is a material consisting of medium density fiberboard (HDF) and paper impregnated with melamine resins, onto which a design is applied.
- The top acrylic or melamine layer of overlay, no more than 1 mm thick, protects against wear.
- The decorative layer is several or one patterned paper impregnated with melamine resins.
- Damper – intermediate protective and decorative, sound-absorbing layers that increase impact strength. Most often made from impregnated kraft cardboard.
- HDF board is a base wood-fiber layer 6-8 mm thick.
- Stabilizer is a layer of paper impregnated with paraffin or resin that protects against warping. Prevents the fiberboard from reacting to changes in temperature and humidity.
Pros - cons
The main advantage of laminate is that it replicates expensive materials well, not being much inferior to them in terms of wear resistance and practicality, while being cheaper.
An affordable price does not deprive the coating of its functionality - a high-quality laminated floor can be laid in the kitchen, since the coating is easy to clean, does not lose color under ultraviolet rays, and is not afraid of stains, impacts, cracks or scratches. Really high-quality material will be resistant to abrasion.
Why is it better than other floor coverings - tiles, linoleum, self-leveling flooring, parquet and solid boards?
- It is warmer than tiles and less noisy;
- Unlike parquet and solid wood, marks from stiletto heels do not remain on laminate;
- There are no dents left on the laminate from heavy kitchen furniture, which is typical for linoleum;
- You can easily lay it with your own hands and without a partner - unlike a self-leveling floor, for example;
- Laminate is practically the most affordable type of floor finishing.
However, if in the bedroom and living room laminate can be called an ideal coating in all respects, then in the specific conditions of the kitchen it still has some disadvantages.
- Some types of laminate really cannot (or can, but with caution) be placed in the kitchen, since they cannot withstand high humidity, temperature fluctuations, or spilled coloring liquids such as wine or beet juice, and they can become deformed when dropped by heavy and sharp objects. We will tell you how to choose laminate for the kitchen below;
- The disadvantages of laminate flooring include a rather loud sound, which forms a coating when steps are taken or objects fall. However, this drawback is more a consequence of incorrect installation than a problem with the material itself. The “defect” is eliminated using a special sound-absorbing substrate;
- There is an opinion that laminated coating is not environmentally friendly enough. But manufacturers with a well-deserved reputation in the market refute this misconception by conducting serious tests for the toxic safety of their products. Such tests are confirmed by a hygienic certificate that accompanies each batch of material;
- Artificiality - no matter how reliably it imitates original materials, it still remains a copy and, to one degree or another, is inferior to them in aesthetic and performance qualities.
How to choose a coating by strength class
How to choose laminate for the kitchen? First of all, you need to focus on the strength class.
This class is designated by two numbers. For household use, coatings of classes 21, 22, 23 are intended - in order of increasing resistance. According to this classification, class 23 laminate can be installed in the kitchen; it is inexpensive, but it will last no more than 4 years, since it consists of only three layers.
In fact, household laminate of classes 21 and 22 is no longer sold in stores. The reason is lack of demand. In Russia, the commercial type is more popular.
Material of commercial classes is considered more durable - 31, 32, 33. But wear resistance class 31 is more suitable for bedrooms and living rooms, and for the kitchen it is better to choose classes 32, 33, 34+. This floor can last in the kitchen for about 25 years. You can read more about laminate classes on Wikipedia.
Commercial coatings consist of five layers:
- Moisture-resistant film at the base;
- High density wood board;
- Decorative layer made of durable paper;
- Acrylic resin to protect the decor;
- Moisture-resistant top film.
Moisture-resistant or water-resistant coating?
High-quality modern laminated panels are practically not afraid of water - special water-repellent wax-based compounds are applied to them as a protective layer. However, not all manufacturers process the joints between panels, and therefore these parts of the coating remain susceptible to moisture.
For the kitchen you can choose:
- Moisture-resistant coating - does not react to high humidity in the room, but the base may deform if water gets into the joints. Able to withstand drops, splashes and even small puddles, but the exposure time to the liquid should be no more than 20 minutes. In this case, sealing of the seams is required during installation.
- Waterproof laminate is more expensive, but can withstand moisture for 6 hours. Here the joints are processed at the factory, so no additional measures are required to protect them. Laminate with a plastic base is considered the most reliable, but it is also the most expensive.
Types of decor
When choosing laminate flooring for the kitchen, you can get confused - there are a lot of options for patterns, colors and textures: from copies of cork flooring to imitation snake skin. The most popular option is the “wooden” design for a solid board with a 1:9 or 1:6 format. High-quality laminate is so similar to parquet that it even has a fibrous texture on the surface.
In addition, manufacturers offer laminate with chamfers on its transverse and longitudinal sides so that it is as similar as possible to wooden parquet boards.
Also, before going to the store, keep in mind that laminate flooring may have one, two, three or many stripes in a die. Think about what you like best.
And in the next photo there is a brown laminate in the kitchen interior with predominant warm colors in the furniture and decoration.
Read more about color combinations in the kitchen interior.
Light and dark laminate are not the easiest options to maintain. Crumbs, dust, stains, light pet hair, etc. will be visible on a dark surface. On light-colored coatings, all defects such as chips and swollen joints will be visible.
In terms of practicality, the best colors are gray and traditional brown.
The tile coating also has a similar “ceramic” texture with roughness and porosity, and a shape with an aspect ratio of 1:3 or 1:4. But this option is not in great demand, since instead of a “copy of a tile” it is better to use real tiles.
The kitchen is one of the most important parts of any home. It is important for every housewife that the kitchen is cozy and functional. In addition, an important point is the floor surface of the kitchen area, which constantly requires care and cleaning. It is important that the floor surface can withstand moisture well and can be easily washed from any dirt. One of the most popular and fashionable coatings of this century is considered to be laminated boards, or laminate.
Peculiarities
Laminate has been used in construction and renovation for a relatively short time, but is one of the most popular floor coverings. This is not surprising, because a floor covered with laminate looks quite aesthetically pleasing, and the variety of shapes and colors of laminated boards allows you to choose the right option for any interior.
Laminate is considered a natural product, as it consists of 60% wood, namely pressed sawdust. This material is a good alternative to expensive parquet and can significantly save the family budget without compromising the beauty of the interior. Laminate as a floor covering is chosen by those who value environmental friendliness and naturalness at a reasonable price.
Advantages of moisture-resistant laminate
If you decide to choose laminate as a floor covering for the kitchen, then you should pay attention to those models that are resistant to water. Laminate flooring for the kitchen has many different shapes, colors and sizes, but each of them has increased strength, is not afraid of impacts and scratches, is easy to clean, and does not leave streaks or stains.
A kitchen with laminate flooring looks cozier, wood is much warmer than ceramic tiles, and it is much more pleasant to walk on. This is an important factor for families with small children. Laminate can imitate absolutely any type of wood; you can also opt for a board that follows the pattern of natural stones. In this case, laminate is very similar to tile. Special fans of laminated boards can even afford to lay a laminate apron, which will look like regular tiles.
Flaws
Despite the large number of advantages, laminate flooring for the kitchen also has some disadvantages. Like any wood, laminated boards do not like moisture. Modern laminate flooring models are well protected from moisture using a special coating, but water that gets into the joints between the boards still poses a danger to the floor. The most unpleasant thing is that you may not notice the spilled water and will not be able to control its penetration under the laminated sheet.
Many people argue about the safety of laminate flooring in the kitchen, since it contains formaldehyde. These substances can accumulate in the body, resulting in serious consequences. But this only applies to cheap boards, where the manufacturer does not pay enough attention to the environmental friendliness of their products.
The reason to refuse laminate flooring in the kitchen may be its sonority. If you drop something on the floor, the noise from the falling object will be very loud. That is why it is recommended to lay laminate flooring on a sound-absorbing substrate. More expensive materials are immediately equipped with a sound-absorbing effect.
All the pros and cons of laminate flooring will help you decide what to put on your kitchen floor.
Varieties
Classic wood
The name of the laminate speaks for itself. This type of laminate resembles the structure of wood and has a smooth surface. For greater naturalness, manufacturers apply small cracks and depressions to the canvas, which more closely resemble a natural wooden surface.
As a rule, laminate flooring in the color of classic wood has a matte surface that does not slip and looks quite simple, but tasteful. If you prefer rigor and conciseness in the interior, then this laminate model is ideal for your kitchen.
Aged wood
Natural wood tends to age and lose its attractive appearance and whiteness. If you are a fan of retro style, and your interior matches it, then feel free to choose laminate in the form of aged wood. This type of flooring has smoothed out abrasions and uneven color, characterized by the effect of faded paints.
Laminated fabric is made by an amateur, since few people want to lay “old” laminate in their new, fresh kitchen. But, nevertheless, there are many gourmets who are delighted with boards of this type.
Glossy surface
Laminate with a glossy surface looks incredibly attractive. The kitchen floor, covered with laminated boards with a glossy effect, immediately makes you fall in love with it. Shine is present not only on the floor, but throughout the room. Glossy laminate resembles a wooden floor that has been generously and carefully varnished. At first glance, it may seem that this type of floor is slippery, but it only seems so. You don't have to worry about you or someone in your family slipping on the floor.
Glossy laminate requires special care; it must always be perfectly polished, otherwise every stain will be very noticeable on the surface and ruin the whole good impression.
textured surface
Laminate flooring for the kitchen with a textured surface consists of boards with clearly visible lines and depressions that are inherent in natural wood. Stepping on the floor surface, you will feel a certain relief that will remind you of natural wood. This laminate is considered quite useful and has a positive effect on the human nervous system. Surprisingly, such a part of the room as the floor can restore emotional balance when you walk on it barefoot.
Relief
Laminate with a relief surface is somewhat reminiscent of textured models, but in this case, manufacturers do not set themselves the goal of reproducing the wood pattern. The laminate only has a slight roughness along the entire length of the chamfered board. This texture is quite pleasant to the touch; you want to step on the floor and walk on it barefoot.
Shea tree
Laminate flooring for the kitchen with an oil wood effect has an even and smooth texture. When you step on such a floor, you will not feel any protrusions or roughness. Externally, this floor has a matte surface that has been carefully treated with drying oil. It may also seem to some that instead of laminate, linoleum is laid on the floor, so not a single hole or pore is visible on it.
Waxed surface
This type of laminate resembles boards rubbed with wax. This floor radiates incredible internal warmth, and the kitchen becomes unusually cozy and comfortable. Waxed laminate flooring most often looks like solid solid boards, spread from the beginning to the end of the room.
Country
Laminated boards of this type are perfect for kitchens in country houses, where everything natural and close to nature is valued. And gender should be no exception here. Country-style laminate resembles wooden boards that have been lightly processed with a plane. The floor has a slightly textured surface. The pattern of such a laminate is a tree on which traces of knots and cracks are visible.
How to style
Laying laminate flooring can be done with your own hands without the help of specialists. Your main task is to follow all the recommendations specified in the instructions. To lay laminate flooring, it is necessary to level the surface well so that no depressions subsequently form. To do this, you can use a concrete screed, the thickness of which depends on the angle of difference on the floor.
After the concrete surface is completely dry, it is worth covering it with a special underlay that will absorb noise and serve as additional insulation for the floor. After this, the process of directly laying the laminate begins. It is best to start laying from the far corner of the kitchen, moving towards the exit.
