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Are you planning a kitchen renovation project in the near future? Or have you recently moved to a new home where the kitchen is a bit worse for wear? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you’ll probably be considering replacing your kitchen flooring.
The kitchen is arguably the most functional area within any home, so it stands to reason that you need to choose the correct type of flooring from a practical point of view. But your kitchen floor needs to perform when it comes to looks too.
Knowing what to look for when it comes to kitchen flooring can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never undertaken such a project in the past. The good news is that a host of modern materials can provide you with a truly stunning interior ambience, while standing up to a significant amount of wear and tear.
Two of the most popular kitchen flooring materials are laminate and vinyl. To help you make an informed choice while sticking to your budget, we’re going to take a look at their primary differences and the advantages associated with each option.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl floor solutions have been around for decades, and there’s a reason why they’ve remained a popular choice. Vinyl is a plastic-like material that is easy to manufacture, so it will often represent the most cost-effective option. However, vinyl is also really versatile. It’s available in pretty much any colour imaginable, and thanks to modern manufacturing techniques it can be embedded with patterns to mimic natural substances such as wood or stone.
Another benefit of vinyl flooring is that it’s simple to install, requiring little (if any) prior experience. Vinyl is normally available in either tiles or sheets. The format you go for will depend upon the size of the room, the style you are hoping to achieve, and the supplier.
While it is most commonly seen in the kitchen, vinyl is just as suitable for other functional areas of your home such as entrances, hallways and bathrooms.
Laminate flooring
Laminate floors are slightly different to vinyl. As their name suggests, they are comprised of a series of layers which are “sandwiched together” during the production process. As a result, laminate materials are thicker than traditional vinyl. Laminate also tends to be seen as the more luxurious option, as the finish is extremely detailed. You’d probably struggle to tell the difference between laminate flooring and the real thing.
Furthermore, the thickness of laminate normally results in a longer lifespan. This is important if you are dealing with a busy kitchen and would like to avoid replacing the floor every few years. Due to the increased durability of laminate as well as the highly precise designs, expect to pay slightly more when choosing this option for your kitchen.
The installation process for laminate is quite straightforward. While some laminates may employ glue, the majority use a lateral locking mechanism that will enable them to remain firmly in place (similar to tongue-and-groove floors). Unless you’re a bit of a DIY pro, you’ll probably need to use a professional to fit laminate flooring.
Hopefully this quick guide to vinyl and laminate flooring has helped you with the process of deciding on the right flooring for your kitchen. When making your final decision on colour and pattern, remember to take into account the overall style of the room. Co-ordinating your flooring with existing features such as kitchen units, woodwork and the room’s colour scheme will ensure you achieve a really coherent finished look.
What are your top tips for choosing kitchen flooring?
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