Ceramic, porcelain and stone tile are all common choices for kitchen flooring options. Tile comes in many sizes and colors and can be laid out in a variety of patterns to suit just about any design theme. Tile is incredibly long-lasting but in some instances, the grout needs to be resealed to keep it stain-resistant.
Slate is one of the best kitchen flooring choices for a number of reasons, but namely, because it's slip-resistant and very durable. It comes available in blue, gray, red, and orange tones, with attractive veining in the same colors. Granite tile is very hard, making it a good choice for high traffic areas.
For durability and good looks, porcelain kitchen tile flooring is the champ. It's an upgrade version of regular ceramic tile because of a manufacturing process that makes it harder and less porous — a good choice for kitchens where spills are likely. Porcelain tile comes either glazed or unglazed.
For kitchen flooring, durability and ease of cleaning are top criteria. Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile--both very common--and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better.
Vinyl flooring is probably the easiest to clean out of all the options listed here and also one of the easiest to maintain. Also known as Cushion Floor, vinyl flooring is available at a good price and can take plenty of wear over the years, which is why many will come with a 15 year warrantee.
Hardwood Makes It Look Easy
Not only are hardwood floors timeless and versatile, but they are also easy to clean. Most hardwood floors are sealed with a finish, meaning a good dusting or vacuuming, followed by dry mopping, is all you need to clear away residue and leave your hardwood floors gleaming.
It is not necessary for your kitchen floor to be darker than the base cabinets or wall cabinets. The color of your kitchen floor can actually be a little lighter or darker than the cabinets. This creates a proper balance in the room.
Unlike some materials that are perfect for kitchens, laminate flooring walks a fine line. Detractors claim that laminate is not appropriate for kitchens because moisture—a fact in kitchens—can harm it. Advocates argue that laminate is one of the better floor coverings for kitchens because moisture can be controlled.
A rainbow of colors and a bevy of design options make linoleum a good choice for a kitchen floor. Often compared to vinyl, the durable surface is great for busy spaces. It stands up to foot traffic, water, heat, and scratching. Linoleum is inherently antibacterial and antistatic, making it hygienic and easy to clean.
Vinyl in the kitchen
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and vinyl roll (also known as sheet vinyl), are both suitable for kitchen floors. They're durable, moisture-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain. Kitchen spills and splashes from cooking and washing up are no problem for vinyl's durable and water-resistant surface.
Most vinyl flooring is 100% moisture-resistant. This element alone makes it ideal for use in kitchens, as well as bathrooms and even basements. Compared to other flooring options, vinyl is much better at sealing against water damage than laminate and hardwood.
Laminate flooring is a great choice if you want a high end hardwood look but need something more durable for pets and kids. Laminate is a much better choice against scratches and dents. It is also much more affordable than hardwood.
The design versatility of luxury vinyl is endless, while linoleum is limited. Similar costs, but vinyl offers a much higher value when factoring in maintenance costs. Both are durable and stable, however vinyl is more suited for high moisture areas, and requires little maintenance in comparison to linoleum.
Linoleum is soft which makes it prone to scratches and getting torn. Walking with high heels shoes and pulling or dragging furniture will definitely damage the sheet linoleum rolls. The ingredients of linoleum make it prone to moisture damage. Excessive humidity will damage your floor and make it curl as it expands.
Although it is water-resistant, linoleum is not impervious to damage from moisture and it needs to be sealed periodically to protect it against liquid penetration. If flooding occurs, a linoleum installation can be ruined, and excessive humidity can sometimes cause individual tiles or the corners of sheets to curl.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
Where Not to Install Laminate Flooring. Many experts will tell you to avoid laminate flooring installations in areas prone to moisture like bathrooms, laundry rooms, saunas, enclosed porches, and anywhere that may require wet mopping.
Do (carefully) mop your laminate floor every two months.
To keep your laminate floors fresh, mop them every two months. Damp mops (a.k.a. microfiber mops) are gentle enough to use on laminate floors. If you're going to use a regular mop, just wring it out until it's almost completely dry.
Choose a floor color based on your countertops to balance your kitchen. You can also match your flooring to your countertops instead of the cabinets. This way, the surfaces will be similar and create balance in your kitchen. Take a note of the shade of your countertops, and select a flooring option in a similar color.
Light-colored floors work well in a space that has dark cabinets or counters, because it offers a contrast that makes the cabinetry stand out. Lighter colors are often interpreted as calmer and more peaceful in a space. Believe it or not, lighter floors in the kitchen also hide scratches better than darker floors.
If you make the classic choice of wood for its durability, warmth, comfort on your feet and easy repairability, a light colored option such as pine or ash, or an even lighter peach-hued maple, will do a great job of hiding dust.
Tile Flooring
Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Hardwood or carpet are the best flooring choices for the living room. They offer comfort and style without compromising durability.
Hello, lino (vinyl) doesn't need an underlay. The underlayment for this is either screed to level the floor if concrete subfloor. Or in your case the underlayment would be to plyboard the whole floor with a 6mm ply.