In selecting flooring for kitchen areas, the most important consideration when renovating or building is that the product is fit-for-purpose.
Being the hub of the home and an area of high traffic, it's important chosen kitchen floor surfaces are robust and stand up to the rigours of daily life.
For this reason designers, architects and specifiers will recommend tile, stone, concrete, or stone-composite flooring over vinyl, wood, and engineered timber for kitchen spaces. Once installed, floors are not easily repaired or replaced so it makes sense to choose the right product, first time round to save the stress and hassle in the event of food and water damage. For areas of high abrasion and foot traffic which is synonymous with kitchens, as a long-term solution, tile is always preferred. A cheeky bonus is that the flooring can also then be matched with the exact same tile in the splashback!
The Critical Criteria when selecting flooring for your Kitchen are;
Durability: To withstand frequent spills without staining, and to survive dropped pots and pans without damage, choose flooring that is tough enough to prevent damage.
Water-resistance: Your kitchen is a “semi-wet” room, so the flooring you choose should not be damaged by the occasional spilled glass of juice.
Scratch-resistant: Messes always seem to end up underfoot, so the best kitchen flooring is one that is able to be scrubbed with non-abrasive product and easy to keep clean.
Design-friendly: When all is said and done, you want your kitchen to look just as good as the rest of your home and for the flooring to complement your design choices in cabinetry, tapware and furnishings.
We take a look at recommended options for kitchen flooring;
1. Porcelain Tiles
Extremely durable, waterproof, stain-resistant, and good for high-traffic areas.
For the ultimate in durability, it’s hard to beat porcelain tile. Modern vitrified Porcelain tiles are not affected by spills or moisture and come in a variety of sizes and shapes, colourways and the increasing popularity of timber-look tile. They are virtually non-absorbent (a less than 0.5% water absorption rate) so food or spillages are easily wiped away.
Tiles are also resistant to scratches, dents, and UV damage. They are a perfect surface material for families with children or pets, those who love to entertain, or simply those of us who don’t want the hassle of damaged flooring.
Furthermore, tiles are extremely hygienic. The easy-clean and impenetrable surface means that allergy-causing dust mites and bacteria cannot reside. A home with tiled living areas not only look great, but are also safe and clean.
2. Stone-Composite Flooring
An affordable & versatile flooring providing exceptional durability, temperature stability, and impact resistance.
Overlay flooring systems are increasing in popularity and becoming the top seller over lesser quality laminates and vinyl. Stone-composite in particular is of superior quality and able to withstand typical kitchen occurrences like dropped knives and split pot contents!
ALPINE Stone-composite, available exclusively at Tile Warehouse, is an innovative click-together system made up of five distinct layers and a pre-applied acoustic layer, each working in partnership to create a floor that will stand up to the tough demands of life. These layers are bonded together in a one-step heat fusion process, not glued, so they won't delaminate. In high traffic living spaces like kitchens, ALPINE is an excellent and affordable option.
3. Stone Tiles
Adds a natural, one-of-a-kind ambiance (in that no two tiles are identical), with a tough surface.
If you prefer natural flooring, consider stone tiles. Stone provides a completely original design in that because the base product comes directly from the ground or hillside, no two tiles are ever the same. Floor tiles can also be used in splashbacks and all other home floors so a continuous flow can be created.
Natural stone tile adds beauty to any kitchen and, is by and large non-slip due to its semi-porous surface. Natural stone comes in cream, terracotta, grey, and brown earth tones, depending on the type of stone you choose.
The following types of stone are commonly available in flooring tiles:
Travertine is smooth underfoot, non-slip, and available in light-to-medium soft earth tones.
Marble is very hard and can be polished to a high sheen. Unfortunately, it can also be slippery when wet. Marble is available in a wide variety of colours, including green, brown, grey, and near-black with pink, red, gold, and burgundy veining.
Slate is one of the best kitchen flooring choices because it’s slip-resistant and very durable.
Granite tile is very hard and resists scratching making it a good choice for high traffic areas. It comes in deep greys, blacks, tans, and mottled white tones.
Underfloor Heating
Coupled with underfloor heating (UFH), create a cozy kitchen space for friends and family to congregate. Hassle-free, subtle warmth with zero 'blasts' of hot air, UFH is recommended by designers and specifiers around the world due to the ability to offer an energy-efficient, gentle and lasting warmth. They are a great option for all living and kitchen spaces. Click Here for more information on UFH >>>
To get the best advice for your home renovation or build project, see the experts. We're here to help and guide you with fit-for-purpose choices and great design ideas. Visit us at one of our 32 stores Nationwide. Click Here to locate a store near you >>>
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