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.
In this case, the thicker the plank/tile, or sheet, the sturdier it is. The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.
1. Look for a stain resistant or waterproof floor. First of all, your kitchen flooring needs to be waterproof. Over the years, we've seen many different kinds of flooring for the kitchen, from linoleum (which is not totally impervious to water) to sheet vinyl to ceramic tile and more.
One of the biggest draws of vinyl flooring is the durability – specifically its resistance to water. Most vinyl flooring is 100% moisture-resistant. This element alone makes it ideal for use in kitchens, as well as bathrooms and even basements.
In recent years, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) has established itself as one of the toughest surfaces in the flooring world. Major manufacturers, including Armstrong (with their Diamond 10 Technology), Shaw, Mannington and Congoleum have embraced its durability, stability and wide range of design options.
CERAMIC AND PORCELAIN TILE
Tile made from ceramic or porcelain is the most scratch-resistant flooring. Ceramic tile is made of fired clay, and it's a hard and durable substance. Porcelain tile is a type of ceramic, but they make it from a more cultivated clay and bake it at higher temperatures.
While LVP is extremely durable, it isn't totally indestructible. Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it.
Since the kitchen is a high-traffic area, you need a durable flooring material that can withstand wear and tear. Consider materials like ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, or hardwood floors that are strong enough to handle foot traffic and heavy furniture.
Most vinyl floors don't need an underlay. If the surface you're laying on is level and smooth, a well-cushioned vinyl floor should be fine on its own.
Vinyl flooring outperforms laminate flooring in the area of water resistance, making it a go-to flooring material for areas that are prone to water and moisture exposure.
As long as you choose a reputable company and pay for a professional installation, expect your kitchen door wrapping to last up to 10 years.
The short answer is no. No underlay is required for a vinyl floor is you are installing your new floor on a smooth surface. Similar to laminate flooring, the most modern vinyl floors are laid using a click technique, giving a new form to the term; 'a floating floor'.
One of the primary reasons homeowners choose luxury vinyl plank flooring for their kitchens is because of its durability. It's fully moisture-proof and more impervious to wear and tear. It's completely resistant to water damage and most stains.
Vinyl flooring does not always need to be glued down. Floating vinyl floors and interlocking floors are very popular and don't require glue. However, there are glue-down vinyl floors that have specific benefits. The key is to determine the type of vinyl floors you need and then work to install them correctly.
Wear Layer Thickness
The thicker the wear layer, the better the overall quality and the longer the flooring will last. Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for the wear layer. As a rule of thumb, 8 mil is a good choice for a residential area with moderate traffic.
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin. When the vinyl flooring is thin, it becomes a lot easier to flex and bend.
Choosing the Right Underlayment for Your Flooring
Pre-attached: Some vinyl plank flooring has a layer of underlayment already attached. In this case, the only type of extra underlayment required is a moisture barrier, if installing in wet areas or over concrete.
This is because appliances are free-standing, allowing the plank underneath to contract and expand freely with temperature changes. Also, the vinyl plank flooring can accommodate the weight of most appliances, and there will be no buckling when the temperature changes. Vinyl planks are also plastic, hence waterproof.
One of the most durable floors to use in a kitchen is ceramic or porcelain tile. Although cold underfoot, these tiles are incredibly durable and easy to clean having been handmade and baked. They are also available in a range of shapes, styles, and colours, making them perfect for any kitchen aesthetic.
Go with Light Colors
Light colors are more reflective than dark colors and they will make your kitchen appear bigger as well as more open and airy. Light blues, greens, or pale yellows are other great colors to make your space look larger than life.
A traditional tile floor can create a timeless foundation for the rest of your kitchen that won't go out of style and can fall back and let other elements like kitchen backsplash tiles to shine. Decorative floor tile can give a small kitchen presence or add personality to a minimalist space.
Luxury vinyl is made more durable by its thicker wear layer is higher quality vinyl. On the off chance a a plank does get damaged, it can be replaced rather than replacing the entire floor. Standard vinyl flooring is expected to last about 10 years with higher quality brands lasting as long as 15 years.
Vinyl flooring clearly is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent choice in bathrooms. But for whole-house installations, laminate flooring often makes sense because it offers a wide range of choices.
While luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way from its creation and has increased in durability and visual appeal, unfortunately vinyl may decrease your resale value in the long run. It's important to recognize that while you may spend less on vinyl vs. hardwood, the ROI may be less.