Installing laminate in kitchen

Installing laminate in kitchen- with a wide variety of types of flooring offered by the modern construction market, in recent years many people prefer to lay laminate flooring not only in the living area, but also in utility rooms. With all its advantages, laminated floors have one drawback that limits the use of laminate – the lamellas can swell and collapse when exposed to moisture. And if in the bathroom rarely anyone decides to lay laminate flooring, then is it possible to lay laminate in the kitchen, where, after all, the contact of the flooring with water is not so close? We will answer this question in the article.

Installing laminate in kitchen- important factors

If a designer is in charge of your interior, he will not recommend laying laminate in wet areas when there is porcelain stoneware or, in extreme cases, linoleum. Also, it is unlikely that anyone will advise you to lay parquet boards in the kitchen. However, laminate still belongs to the gray area. And although designers are often categorically against this type of flooring in utility rooms, laminate in the kitchen, according to reviews, feels great even for several decades and does not swell, unless, of course, you arrange a pool on the kitchen floor.

Installing laminate in kitchen- advantages

• aesthetic and natural look of the floor;
• relatively low cost;
• ease of installation and dismantling;
• low thermal conductivity;
• strength and wear resistance.

Many housewives appreciate another significant advantage of laying laminate in the kitchen area during operation. The risk that dropped dishes will break on the laminate is much lower than on ceramic tiles.

With all the advantages, there is only one drawback: the kitchen is a space with high humidity. And if you leave large puddles on the floor after washing dishes, then liquid will seep into the joints, causing the panel to swell. But don’t be afraid that every drop on the floor threatens to deform the coating.

The panels themselves are covered with a protective layer on top. And you can safely wash the floors with a damp cloth, wipe off stains without fear that you will damage the board and the coating will wear off. It is only important that moisture does not get through the seams into the lower layers of the laminate. Always remove any liquid that gets on the floor immediately with a napkin. By the way, it is not recommended to leave water on porcelain stoneware, which becomes slippery from moisture. And someone can get injured by slipping on a wet floor.

Choosing a laminate for the kitchen

Now that we know that, contrary to popular belief, you can still lay laminate in the kitchen, let’s figure out which type of laminate flooring is more suitable for the kitchen area. Although laminate is only afraid of liquid that gets into the joints, you should still remember that you are choosing a floor covering for a room with high humidity. Therefore, the best option would be laminate with a water-repellent coating or with moisture-resistant properties.

Also pay attention to the wear resistance class. After all, there is more movement in the kitchen than, for example, in the bedroom. In addition, you have to wash the floors more often and even use additional chemicals to remove grease and organic stains. Give preference to laminate with a wear resistance class of 33 and above.

You should choose the right laminate for the kitchen design, be sure to consider the interior style when choosing floors. For a modern finish or Scandinavian style, it is better to choose a laminate flooring in light shades with a minimalist pattern. If the kitchen area is designed in a classic style, make a laminate in the kitchen with imitation of natural wood. From the color range, it is better to give preference to light shades, on which dirt will be less visible.

Also note that some types of laminate can be with a U or V-shaped chamfer. Such flooring looks more interesting and more similar to floors made of natural wood or parquet boards. Don’t worry about water stagnating in the chamfer, which will cause the panels to deform. The chamfers are covered with the same protective coating as the surface of the slats, so moisture penetration will not increase due to their presence.

Laminate with a V-shaped chamfer gives the surface a natural and organic look, imitating the structure of wood. This option creates elegant transitions between the planks. At the same time, the chamfer with sharp edges is small and eliminates the risk of water getting in, which is preferable for the kitchen.

The U-shaped chamfer emphasizes each plank and makes the joints more noticeable. This option can be chosen to create an expressive design. But it should be taken into account that caring for laminate with a U-shaped chamfer may require more attention.

What is better in the kitchen: laminate or linoleum

The choice between laminate and linoleum for the kitchen depends on your preferences, design, budget and the specific requirements of your home. We have already found out the pros and cons of laminate for the kitchen. Now let’s figure out linoleum. This type of flooring was especially popular at the end of the last century. Linoleum was used to coverly throughout the apartment, from the nursery to the toilet and balcony. Some kitchens even still have linoleum from years past.

This is a truly durable, moisture-resistant material that is not afraid of even leaks. It is more pleasant to walk barefoot on linoleum than on tiles, since it has a lower thermal conductivity than ceramics. However, linoleum has remained in our minds as a budget material that visually cheapens the room and looks less aesthetically pleasing.

Although manufacturers try to create many different textures, linoleum is still inferior to laminate in terms of design variety. And if you want to create a harmonious kitchen interior, it can be difficult to choose the right option. But for a crowded kitchen area where a lot of food is prepared, when choosing which floor for the kitchen – laminate or linoleum, it is better to give preference to the latter.

A good alternative between linoleum and laminate is vinyl flooring. Externally, vinyl tile floors are similar to laminated ones. However, vinyl panels are made of plastic polymer materials and fiberglass, due to which they are more moisture resistant, and they do not deform due to moisture getting inside. In addition, vinyl flooring is stain-resistant and does not require special care, which is important in the kitchen, where there is a need for frequent cleaning.

After we have considered all the pros and cons, and also learned which laminate flooring is most suitable for the kitchen, we can confidently say that laminated floors with proper care in the kitchen area will serve you for many years. But if you still have doubts, consider other types of flooring that are designed for wet rooms.