Flooring for your kitchen
Top tips
- Lay new flooring once old kitchen is stripped out
- Choose material to suit your lifestyle
- Eco options available
If you are planning new flooring the best time to lay
it is immediately after the old kitchen has been stripped
out and all plumbing and electrical work is completed.
Kitchen floors need to withstand substantial wear and
tear as well as spills so whatever material you choose
will have to be tough. And the more wear it is likely to
get, the tougher it needs to be.
If you have small children you might feel it important
to choose a warm flooring material (or have under floor
heating). You may seek an environmentally friendly covering.
Whatever surface you choose it makes sense to lay the whole
area as the additional cost of material used under units
is insignificant compared to the time it takes to cut around
them.
There is a wide choice of materials including:
Wood
Hardwood floors, although relatively expensive, are warm
underfoot, look smart and are highly durable. Wood
is available in plank, strip or parquet options and in
differing
widths and thickness. Solid or engineered wood options
are available – prices will depend on the grade
of the wood, which is determined by how clear or variegated
its appearance. Whichever type of wood you choose always
check that it has come from a sustainable source. Laminate
Wood-effect laminate flooring is an interlocking
system that uses the tongue and groove method to join
individual planks. This can be done either by glueing
the planks or
clipping them together using one of a number of dry joint
methods. A melamine resin finish gives laminate great
durability, plus wear, stain and UV light resistance.
Marmoleum
An environmentally-friendly choice, Marmoleum is a natural
product made from linseed oil, woodflour, pine rosin,
jute and limestone. Hygienic and anti-static, easy to clean
and hardwearing, Marmoleum comes in a wide range of colours
and designs. It lasts for many years but – good news
for the consumer with a conscience – when it is eventually
discarded it is completely biodegradable. Lino tiles
The composition of linoleum is similar to Marmoleum
but lino tiles have a backing made of polyester and
glass. Vinyl
Although many people use the terms vinyl and linoleum
interchangeably, vinyl is actually a synthetic product.
It provides a
very hard-wearing surface and is available in a wider
range of styles, colours and textures than any other
floor covering. Cork
Another eco option – cork is a natural and renewable
material harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree without
damaging or felling the tree. Cork flooring can be stained
in a variety of colours and can be supplied with a natural,
acrylic, hard wax or PVC finish. The latter is the most
durable. It is a sound and thermal insulator, retains its
shape, is warm to the touch, and comfortable to walk on. Concrete
This is a cold and hard material but it provides
an industrial look that is in keeping with some ultra-modern
kitchens.
It is non-porous, easy to maintain and can be stained. Ceramic
Ceramic, slate, marble, terracotta, stone, mosaic
and porcelain – all these natural materials with
their unique markings make a definite style statement.
They are clean, hygienic and durable enough to last a lifetime.
Maintenance is as straightforward as an occasional wipe-over.
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