For the room that is the “heart of the home” the choice of flooring can be especially important. Your choice will depend on many things, from ease of maintenance and cleaning to the way the floor looks; from how environmentally-friendly you wish to be, to how easy it is to install; and from hypo-allergenic properties to longevity…plus, of course, budget and cost.
Practical floorcoverings such as vinyl, wood and laminates are most popular in the kitchen. A hard-wearing and stain resistant carpet such as polypropylene is warmer than other floorcoverings and can reduce breakages, and a patterned carpet is a good way to minimise possible stains.
Whichever type of flooring you choose, make sure you faithfully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and maintenance, to ensure maximum longevity of your product.
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Despite its reputation as a dated choice from the 1960s, vinyl remains a popular flooring for the kitchen, as it is low maintenance, tough, hard-wearing and generally resilient. It also feels comfortable to walk on and suits a large variety of sites, as well as being available in an enormous variety of colours and patterns. It is inexpensive as well as having a good product life expectancy – for example, modern versions often have inlaid patterns which endure longer than old versions where patterns were only printed onto the surface. As it is water-repellent, it is easy to keep clean with a simple sweep and damp mop regularly to keep it in good condition. However, it can be scratched by grit and pebbles (or become embedded) and the colours and patterns can fade with time. Nevertheless, it remains a top choice for kitchen floors. |
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Although largely replaced by vinyl flooring in the 1960s because of the hassle of having to wax it, this type of flooring is enjoying a revival today as new versions come pre-sealed and do not need to be waxed. Because linoleum is made of natural resources such as ground limestone, wood flour and linseed oil, which are renewable, it is therefore more environmentally-friendly. Even its maintenance is eco-friendly as it only requires a pH-neutral cleaner. Its components also have anti-bacterial and anti-static properties and is anti-allergenic. Like vinyl, it is also comfortable to walk on, hard-wearing and comes in a large variety of colours. |
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Especially for older homes, it is hard to beat the beauty of hardwood flooring. Oak is a popular choice, although other types of wood used include beech, walnut, maple and ash – and pine is often used to create a vintage look. The planks interlock securely and usually only require regular sweeping and vacuuming. Aside from their beauty, engineered wood floors are warm, comfortable, long-lasting and more suitable for areas with slight dampness and humidity than solid wood floors. |
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This type of flooring looks like solid wood but is actually made up of multiple layers of processed wood, such as M.D.F. (medium density fibre board), topped by a photographic image of wood and then all covered by a clear layer of melamine which is hard-wearing and water-resistant. Because it is installed over a flat “sub floor” (e.g. a layer of plywood or pre-existing vinyl or tile), laminate is often called the “floating wood floor”. While older versions of laminate may have required glue for installations, new models have tongue-and-groove mechanisms similar to traditional wood planking. Laminate is an extremely popular choice nowadays due to its ease and speed of installation and the low cost, compared to traditional hardwood floors. It will not fade or yellow, like vinyl, and yet is also scratch- and water-resistant. It is also comfortable and requires only simple maintenance. |
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Another type of flooring that is gradually gaining in popularity is cork which is an environmentally friendly, natural product and is warm, comfortable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain. It is also hypoallergenic and relatively affordable. However, it can still fade and dent and you will need to take care of the finishing. Due to its strong ability to absorb water finishing carefully with a recommended sealer. Cork also gives off a distinct odour which some people may find offensive. |
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We have a choice of carpets that are suitable for Kitchens. Carpet has the advantage of being warm in the winter, soft underfoot and lessens the impact of anything dropped. You may want to consider a large rug to divide the space in your room, especially if there is a seating area. |
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