What laminate to choose for the kitchen. Which laminate is better to choose for the kitchen, focusing on consumer qualities Is there a laminate for the kitchen

Carrying out floor repairs in the kitchen, the question arises of which flooring to choose. Among the many materials, laminate is a popular flooring with many benefits. But, is it possible to lay laminate flooring in the kitchen? If you listen to the opinion of experts, you can conclude that laminate flooring for the kitchen is quite suitable. The correct selection of this material is also important. To understand which laminate to choose for the kitchen, you need to consider its pros, cons, properties and types.

Advantages and disadvantages of kitchen products

Laminate has many advantages that allow it to be used for kitchen floors. Among them, the main advantages can be distinguished:

Simple and quick installation;
Wear resistance;
Ease of maintenance;
Resistance to temperature extremes and exposure to sunlight;
Large selection of colors and designs;
Beautiful appearance;

In addition, you can choose a coating that imitates various natural materials - wood, stone. It is very difficult to distinguish it from parquet. And some laminate options can be installed on the underfloor heating system.

You also need to consider the cons of this material:

Some types of laminated panels swell when exposed to water;
Laminate without a backing can make a ringing sound when walking and moving objects on the floor;
Poor quality materials can be harmful to health.

Having considered the disadvantages of the coating, we can conclude: in order to avoid the manifestation of the disadvantages of the laminate, it must be correctly selected and pay attention to the quality when buying.

Difference between moisture resistant and waterproof laminate

In the kitchen, the floor can be exposed to moisture quite often. This can be spilled liquids or drops from dishwashing. In addition, maintenance and cleaning of the kitchen floor is carried out very often. Therefore, in this case, it is best to choose a laminate that is minimally exposed to moisture. There are two types of such laminated coating:

Moisture resistant;
Waterproof.

Laminate Classes Suitable for Kitchen

For laying in the kitchen, laminate is suitable, according to the strength class: 31, 32, 33. Each of them has distinctive characteristics, therefore it is necessary to choose the coating that best meets the requirements for use.

Has a service life of no more than 12 years;
Suitable for installation in residential and commercial premises with medium traffic.

Service life - 12-15 years;
Scratch resistant;
Can be laid in rooms with above average traffic;
It has a cost higher than class 31, but justifies it with its quality.

Recommended for use in rooms with high traffic;
The service life is about 20 years;
cracks and does not split during operation;
With prolonged contact with water, it does not lose its properties and does not swell.

Summing up, we can say that the laminate for the kitchen must meet the following characteristics:

Be moisture resistant;
Compliant with a high strength class;
Have a backing so as not to make unpleasant sounds.

Laying laminate

When laying laminate, it is necessary to take into account some features and recommendations of specialists. For instance:

It is necessary to buy panels with a margin of about 10%. This is necessary to avoid material shortages due to fit. Especially if the room has a complex configuration;
Carefully read the instructions supplied with the coating. Manufacturers always indicate the features of laying this type of laminate;
It is best to lay the laminate in the kitchen in the direction of the light coming from the window. This will allow you to mask the joints between the panels as much as possible;
Laying the coating diagonally across the room is the most difficult, therefore, laying along the window opening or across the room would be a simpler option;
Before carrying out work, it is necessary to carefully prepare the base of the floor, namely, to make it as flat as possible and supplemented with high-quality waterproofing;
In a small kitchen, it is best to lay panels of the same color. The combination of laminate in different colors visually reduces the area of \u200b\u200bthe room.

Outcome

In conclusion, we can say that before choosing a laminate for the kitchen, it is very important to study all the recommendations and advice of experts, as well as manufacturers. This will help you make the right choice and purchase a coating that will last quite a long time, and at the same time retain all its characteristics and good appearance.

If the decision is made to use a laminate as a floor covering, then the question arises which coating will be the most durable and durable. After all, the kitchen is the place where the most household pollution is. How to choose a laminate for the kitchen so that it withstands all the loads and will serve faithfully for many years?

In order to make the right choice, consider what the laminate flooring is made of and what components are used in the production process.

The structure of the laminate and the materials used in its production

Laminate boards, as seen in the photo, have several layers, tightly pressed under pressure at a high temperature.

Main bearing layer - MDF or chipboard plate;
Decorative layerwhich provides the color of the coating, consisting of a dense paper material;
Protective top layer, consisting of impregnation with melamine (an insoluble strong chemical compound) or other safe compounds (at the discretion of the manufacturer);
Bottom reinforcing layer - thick kraft paper.

The basis for the laminate is particle board (HDF) of varying degrees of rigidity and strength. These indicators depend on the amount of wood in the board. The denser the material, the less voids there are, and the moisture resistance of the laminate increases. The choice of laminate for the kitchen assumes the strength of the coating and its resistance to impact, i.e. ... After all, quite often it is in the kitchen that something heavy falls to the floor, unfortunately.

Some manufacturers add various reinforcing fillers to the protective layer to increase the strength of the laminate:

finely dispersed silicon dioxide;
fine cellulose fibers;
finely ground alpha alumina - corundum.

The amount of fillers and plasticizers in the material is the know-how of the manufacturer.

The variety of colors and textures of the laminate is provided by the pattern tightly attached to the chipboard. There are no difficulties in the question of which laminate to choose for the kitchen in terms of design and pattern. It all depends on the overall style and design of the kitchen.

The most important thing in the question is how to choose a laminate for the kitchen, a protective laminate covering. Until recently, manufacturers offered only moisture resistant versions of such coatings. But now on the building materials market, you can see samples of laminate, positioned as waterproof,.

Council. When purchasing a laminated flooring for the kitchen floor, it is better to focus on materials that are resistant to moisture - waterproof. Although the price for such a laminate is higher, the buyer is guaranteed the material's resistance to high humidity.

What is the Difference Between Moisture Resistant and Waterproof Laminate

Knowing how to choose the right laminate for the kitchen, the buyer will not be disappointed in his decision. It is in the kitchen that the floor gets wet. Therefore, it is recommended to use moisture resistant or, even better, for kitchens. What is the fundamental difference between the two coatings?

A feature of this floor covering is that the ends of the lamellas are additionally treated with water-repellent compounds. As well as the outer, protective layer of the material, it additionally has a coating that protects against moisture. Installation instructions for moisture-resistant laminate provide for the use of water-repellent adhesives for lamella joints.

Since the weakest point of any laminate is the joints between the panels, their additional water-repellent treatment guarantees a long service life of the coating.

On the Internet, you can find a lot of video materials on both the locking method and on the substrate using adhesives.

Council. For the kitchen, it is better to dwell on the installation of the laminate joint-to-joint, without a clutch. This will allow you to additionally process the seams of the lamellas with water-repellent glue. The only drawback of this installation method is that if one lamella is damaged during operation, then it cannot be replaced. We'll have to dismantle the cover.

If you decide to install a laminate floor in the kitchen with your own hands, then carefully additionally seal the joints of the lamellas with a special sealant.

Waterproof laminate

Production technologies are constantly being improved and in stores you can find a laminate that is one hundred percent resistant to water. Manufacturers guarantee that this material can stay in water for more than twenty-four hours and retain all its technical characteristics.

Which laminate to choose for the kitchen - moisture resistant or water resistant. After all, the price of these materials differs almost twice.

A waterproof laminate for the kitchen is still preferable. Especially if the owners are often away from home for a long time, and the neighbors from above forget to turn off the water in the bathroom.
Features of the finish and texture of the material

There are several options for finishing the laminate to give it a natural wood grain:

Embossing;
Embossing in register;
Brushing;
Chrome zone.

Each of these textures has its own distinctive characteristics of production and operating conditions.

Embossing

With this method, a thicker protective layer is applied to the lamella, which is pressed or cut along the length of the bar. The photo shows that a complete illusion of using natural wood is created.

Such a coating can be washed much less often, and dirt is not too visible on it. In addition, the material gains additional strength.

Embossing in register

The grooves cut into the backing layer match the wood grain pattern. It looks very impressive and stylish. The choice of laminate for the kitchen can be stopped at this option. Especially if such a laminate is moisture resistant.

Brushing

The treatment combines embossing and dyeing of the grooves with re-coating with a protective layer. This gives the material strength and abrasion resistance.

Chrome zone

The chromium alloy used to decorate the grooves on the lamellas not only strengthens the material, but also makes it extremely effective.

So, which laminate to choose for the kitchen:

Resistant to moisture;
With a solid base - not lower than the abrasion index 33;

Council. No matter what the sellers of laminate flooring in Russia say, there is no specification of the abrasion class 34.

With anti-static surface treatment;
Environmentally friendly.

Whatever choice of laminate for the kitchen is made, the main thing is that the material is of high quality. And it depends only on the tastes and preferences of the owners of the house.

The kitchen is the soul of the house. This is the place where food smells delicious and the whole family often gathers. But it is here that various foods most often fall on the floor, dishes break, water, oil, juices and other liquids are spilled. Therefore, much more stringent requirements are imposed on the flooring than on the material for other rooms.

Kitchen flooring can be wood, ceramic, vinyl or even laminate. Any material selected must meet the following criteria:

Wear resistance

The floor must withstand constant pedestrian and abrasive loads, as well as the weight of furniture, household appliances and interior items. It will be useful to be resistant to point impacts, for example, to falling porcelain or glassware, knives and other sharp products. Typically, this parameter corresponds to floor finishing materials from class 23 and above. For kitchens in residential apartments and houses, 31-32 are recommended, for commercial objects (restaurants, cafes, hotels), it is advisable to choose products from 34 categories of wear resistance and more.

Moisture resistance

The kitchen floor very often needs wet cleaning. In addition, splashes of water constantly fall on it, various liquids are spilled, including coloring or forming stains. Accordingly, the surface of the finishing material (especially in the area of \u200b\u200bjoints between lamellas or coating elements) must be moisture resistant, and even better - water resistant.

Easy to operate

Housewives appreciate qualities such as resistance to stains, fading, ease of removing dust and various contaminants. In addition, users are particularly attracted to such coatings that do not require frequent restoration of the protective layer (varnish, wax), the need for additional maintenance, etc.

Wide range of decors

It's no secret that floor design plays an important role in the kitchen interior. Therefore, preference is given to those flooring materials that fit perfectly into any style, perfectly combined with other finishing products. And if necessary, create a background for bright furniture or serve as a kind of dominant in the design of the room.

High-quality laminated parquet of well-known brands fully meets the above requirements. Let's take a look at the basic characteristics of a laminate.

Types and features of laminate

The laminated coating is classified as thin, but rather tough. The main distinguishing feature is a glueless or tongue-and-groove connection system. The special shape of the lock allows the planks to be mounted into a single, smooth, monolithic "floating" type coating (that is, independent of the base).

Several types of laminate are available:

Classic HDF coating

This is the first and most common modification of flooring products, which was positioned as a budget analogue of parquet and solid boards. It is a multi-layer finishing material for the floor, consisting of:

Overlay is a protective transparent film made of durable thermosetting polymers. Thanks to it, the surface is resistant to abrasion, water and even frequent point loads.
Decorative paper with a pattern corresponding to the collection - for wood, stone, ceramics, textiles, leather and much more. The image is applied using high-precision laser printing, so an almost perfect imitation of natural material is obtained.
Carrier HDF base 6-14 mm thick. It is a finely dispersed wood flour mixed with thermosetting polymer resins and pressed into a slab with a density of 700 to 1100 kg / m³. A lock connection is cut along the perimeter, through which the strips are assembled without glue and fasteners into a single, monolithic canvas.
A stabilizing layer, which is paper impregnated with thermosetting resins. Purpose - to protect the laminate from residual moisture in the base and prevent deformation of the lamellas.

Some manufacturers (Tarkett, Classen, etc.) additionally wax the locks to increase the resistance of the coating to water. When snapped in, the paraffin seals the joints and prevents the boards from swelling in direct contact with moisture. This floor is a great solution for kitchens, balconies, hallways.

Wax protection at the ends of the laminate.

Available in all wear resistance classes (see table below).

With proper installation, a quality coating differs from well-known manufacturers:

A high level of resistance to abrasion, temperature and humidity changes;
A tight connection of locks, which even a drop of water cannot overcome;
Maintainability: minor scratches, minor abrasions, chips and other defects using repair waxes or valve markers;
Practicality and ease of care;
Durability. The average service life of a laminated floor is 10-20 years, depending on the thickness and load class.

For laminate floors of the middle and lower price level, the so-called masses or sealants for sealing joints are produced. The product is applied to the lock before the lamella is installed, and after snapping in, forms a waterproof joint protection.

Among the disadvantages of HDF laminate, we note swelling upon prolonged contact with water, the accumulation of static electricity over time, the need for sound insulation and high requirements for the base.

PVC covering

For almost 40 years of sales, laminated flooring has become so popular that manufacturers decided to modify it a little and released a truly waterproof analogue of ceramic tiles and stone - vinyl laminate. It is made of durable composite plastic lamellas up to 10 mm thick. They produce hollow (with multiple vertical stiffening ribs) and solid slabs, the surface of which imitates a wood or stone texture. A complex-shaped tongue-and-groove lock is formed along the perimeter, allowing you to assemble the product into a solid, even floor.

Vinyl laminated flooring is produced in 23, 31-32 wear resistance classes, that is, it is suitable exclusively for the residential and office sector. It is characterized by absolute inertness to water, household chemicals (with the exception of abrasive). It is not recommended for laying in areas of high traffic, as pins and claws of animals can leave irreparable scratches on the surface.

Modular coverage

The practicality of the glueless joining system was appreciated by the manufacturers of cork and linoleum coatings. Therefore, now on sale you can find:

For kitchens and dining areas, choose lacquered cork or wood veneer. This protective coating forms a hard, wear-resistant and water-resistant film that is easy to maintain and restore.

To summarize: any kind of laminate flooring can be placed on the floor in the kitchen. The main thing is that the products are good, of high quality and correspond to the 31-32 load class. Give preference to materials on HDF-board with moisture-resistant impregnation of locks.

Laminate for the kitchen where you want to cook

Modern trends are such that the decor, color and texture of the floor in the kitchen and dining rooms can be absolutely any. It is not the pattern or shade that is important, but the functionality and combinatoriality with the rest of the interior.

Studying the collections of well-known manufacturers, you can see that the overwhelming part of the produced laminate has a characteristic design of a single-strip board of radial, tangential and mixed sawing.

Less commonly, two- and three-strip decor is used.

An original mix of two- and three-strip boards. Under the deck parquet. Three-lane beech look. Two-lane oak parquet flooring. Merbau board in two-lane design. Parquet flooring in a sunny kitchen. Textured three-strip floor in a modern kitchen.

In this case, the pattern can be uniformly calm, or vice versa, with pronounced annual rings, knots, scuffs, contrasting transitions from a light shade to a dark one.

Strong contrast in shades. With imitation of knots. Halftone play. Rustical. Under the cherry. With imitation of rotten areas. Exotic wood species. Under the aged floor Simulated multiple cracks

Special visual effects are created using various surface embossing techniques, V or U chamfering on 2 or 4 sides.

Embossing in register. Embossing. Four-sided chamfer. Rustic embossing combined with V-bevel Embossed with a vintage floor. Double-sided chamfer. Under an authentic board. The charm of chamfering when laying diagonally.

A mirrored, smooth kitchen floor is considered hazardous due to its low slip resistance. But not with laminate flooring. The glossy and semi-glossy surface of this coating looks impressive, while being safe to use.

Another thing is complementarity with glossy facades of kitchen furniture. There are a lot of combination options here.

Paradoxical as it may seem, the classic woody shades look harmoniously with furniture in pastel and bright colors. With the right approach, the laminate floor will perfectly complement the kitchen environment, giving the room the necessary charm and integrity.

One of the most successful design effects is considered to be a change in the decor of the lamellas with an interval of 1: 4, 1: 6, 1: 8. If you spread the planks of such a collection, you can see that the pattern is repeated every 4-8 plates.

The most actively visited area of \u200b\u200bthe apartment is the kitchen. Life boils here with all its manifestations - moisture, steam, temperature difference, pollution. The flooring reacts to everyone, therefore, it must remain inert to the negative. Laminate, when chosen correctly, is capable of durability even under extreme conditions. Which laminate is suitable for the kitchen - in detail in this article

Kitchen features

Traditionally, kitchen floors are covered with ceramic tiles or linoleum.
This is justified, since the coatings are distinguished by the simplest care for them. But what is better for a kitchen with laminate or linoleum with tiles? Judge for yourself:

Neither tile nor linoleum are durable. The first will crack if something heavy is dropped on the floor, the second will swell if moisture gets under the covering. The service life of the two floor coverings is short.
Tiling involves dirt and repair stretching indefinitely. For linoleum, it is required to free up almost all the space from furniture, similarly level the floor surface.

So what is better tile or laminate in the kitchen? As a conclusion - a laminate for the kitchen will be the right solution if it is decided to lay a durable coating that is inert to the realities of the kitchen.

Laminate in the kitchen - pros and cons

A multi-layer board, which is a laminate, is strong enough to withstand moisture, shock, climatic changes. Abrasion resistance depends on the class - for the kitchen it is at least 31.
Hygiene is due to the smooth surface on which dirt does not linger. In kitchens, a warm floor is often mounted - the laminate with it in tandem gets along well. There are also disadvantages:

Low classes of budget coverage - unstable to moisture. For kitchens, a special option is chosen that can withstand not only condensation in the joints, but also stagnant water for several hours. The cost is appropriate.
Not environmentally friendly. Kitchen - the room is hot. If the laminate is purchased from unknown vendors, this guarantees an increase in the percentage of formaldehyde in its composition that can be released into the atmosphere. All certifications must be provided for the cover.

Despite the shortcomings, laminate flooring is in demand, since, in addition to strength qualities, it has a decent appearance and will create any style in the kitchen.

Laminate in the interior of the kitchen

Photos of the kitchen interior with laminate help the owners to make their choice:

Wear resistance class of laminate

Given the throughput activity of the kitchen and the corridor, a laminate class of at least 31 is required. Consider the features:

All these qualities speak for the advantage of high-end laminate flooring for kitchen use. The corridor has no less aggressive conditions - therefore, it is clear which laminate to choose for the kitchen and hallway.

Waterproof or moisture resistant?

In terms of humidity, a kitchen is comparable to a bathroom. Recently, the labeling of the laminate began to contain the word Aqua - resistance to contact with water. The nature of the laminate has come to be classified as waterproof and moisture resistant. Is there a difference? Let's consider:

Features of moisture resistant laminate

Boards with MDF body - fibreboard have a high glue content. There is also between the layers. This protection is good enough to keep out condensation or steam. However, in more severe conditions - for example, a flood from neighbors - obstacles will not withstand the amount of moisture. Drying such a laminate is useless. Remaining water will deform the board and ruin its appearance.
In the kitchen, such a laminate is suitable in the dining area or dining room - where there is guaranteed not a lot of moisture.

Features of waterproof laminate

The difference between this species is in the absence, in general, of a hint of wood. The body is a polymer board that is inert to moisture in principle.
Such a laminate will not swell or deform. It is successfully put in saunas. The cast structure withstands increased loads, the appearance is not inferior to traditional laminate. The price is high. The kitchen often does not require such radical requirements for the floor covering, so it is enough to purchase a board with a high class of wear resistance for it.

Choosing a locking system

For resistance to moisture - an indispensable phenomenon in the kitchen - it is important to interface the laminate lamellas.
This is the traditional tongue and groove and glued method of joining boards. The advantage of the former:

Fast styling. If the base is even, then the work ends in a few hours without removing the furniture.
Possible replacement of a damaged board.

The disadvantage is leakage. In the event of a leak, moisture will penetrate under the floating floor, thereby damaging the area of \u200b\u200bthe laminate flooring.

The plus of the second is in tightness. All joints of the board are coated with glue. This, however, does not iron out the disadvantages:

Replacements cannot be made without dismantling the entire coating.
Adding formaldehyde to the total mass.
Perfect alignment is required, otherwise, under pressure, the joints will disperse or the lamella will crack in places of voids.

As a result, the laminate in the kitchen, the photo of which is below, is better with thorn-groove or Click connections.

Cleaning the kitchen laminate

Caring for a floor covering depends on its fear of moisture.

If linoleum or tiles are inert to it, then the laminate, given the above, is not. Therefore, specific cleaning is required:

Without a lot of moisture.
Washing vacuum cleaners are excluded.
Stains are removed with special means.
Cleaning is done daily.

These requirements are easy to meet. In homes with small children - it will be frequent.

Conclusion

So, how to choose a laminate for the kitchen and corridor is described in detail. To summarize, a moisture-resistant coating is required, not less than 31 class of wear resistance. Choosing a color and imitation for a specific style is not difficult.

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One of the most popular coatings is currently considered to be laminated. But many are wondering: is it possible to lay laminate flooring in the kitchen? What is the best laminate to choose for the kitchen so that it meets all the requirements for the surface of the kitchen floor and suits us in design?

The kitchen is one of the most visited places in the house. Every housewife wants the kitchen to be comfortable and look beautiful. It is important to choose the design of the floor in the kitchen, taking into account all the features of this zone: high attendance, fluctuations in temperature and humidity values \u200b\u200bin a wide range, the possibility of water getting on the floor, falling of kitchen utensils is also most likely here.

For these reasons, there are many requirements for the floor surface:

the most important requirement is moisture resistance;
strength and durability;
easy care;
design, color scheme matters.

Sure. The type and class of the product should be chosen correctly, having carefully prepared the base beforehand.
For the kitchen, do not use conventional laminated boards. It is worth choosing a moisture-tolerant material - moisture-resistant or water-resistant laminate.

The moisture-resistant panel is based on a dense and moisture-resistant HDF board.

Choosing a laminate for the kitchen

Strength and wear resistance class.Laminate strength classes have values: 31-34. For the floor of the kitchen and hallway, 32, 33 classes are recommended, 33 is better. With proper operation, it can last at least 20 years. The 34 class coating is more durable, but it is too expensive and is intended for use in very high traffic areas: offices, salons, etc. It is not worth paying extra money for using it in domestic premises.
Moisture resistance.Kitchen flooring must be resistant to moisture. The product must be marked with a picture of either a tap with a water droplet or an umbrella.
Locks.Laminated boards are equipped with locks: Click (corner connection) or Lock (direct connection, non-separable). More practical is Click: if necessary, it is possible to make a local repair, i.e. selective replacement of lamellas. Products with Lock-locks are non-separable, more difficult to install.
Manufacturer and quality.Don't buy low-cost, low-quality laminate from questionable manufacturers. Better to wait, dig in and choose a quality flooring.
Lamella thickness.The larger it is, the more durable the board, but also more expensive. A coating with a thickness of 9-12 mm is suitable for a kitchen or hallway.
Formaldehyde emission level.To ensure safety for health, we choose a material marked: E0 or E1.
Non-slip surface.To avoid injury on a smooth floor, pick up a rough, non-slip material in the kitchen, not a glossy smooth one.

Laminate in the kitchen: pros and cons

ease and speed of laying;
affordable price;
high-quality material is not afraid of moisture, temperature fluctuations. It is easy to care for, it can be washed often, it does not lose color and gloss;
the laminate floor is warmer than the ceramic tile - it is comfortable to walk on the laminate barefoot. No additional heating required;
no punching from furniture is formed;
aesthetic appearance of the coating, a variety of designs and a wide range of colors.

Disadvantages:

moisture resistant laminate does not withstand prolonged exposure to liquid. In the event of a water pipe break, especially with hot water, the material may deteriorate.

Decision. The use of waterproof laminate will avoid this situation, since it is absolutely not afraid of water.

Advice: when liquid is spilled on the laminated flooring, do not check the moisture resistance of the material, but wipe it off within a short time.

The clatter of heels. Footsteps can be heard, especially with heels.

Decision. If a cork or styrofoam backing with sound absorption is used, this will not be a problem. The underlay reduces the volume of footsteps and smoothes out small errors in the base.

Scratches and chips. The durable laminate is resistant to damage, but in certain situations, scratches and chips may form.

Decision. To eliminate small defects, use wax crayons matched to the color of the coating, painting over the damaged area.

Moisture and water resistant laminate for the kitchen

These are two different coatings. They have completely different composition and their attitude to water is different.

Moisture resistant material is based on a dense moisture-resistant HDF board. The protective surface layer, which has the property of moisture resistance, is capable of not allowing water to pass through, the locks are treated with wax-resin moisture-resistant mixtures.

Such material can be laid in the kitchen, it can withstand decent loads, withstand high humidity, has good sound insulation, and can be washed frequently. Note that the presence of liquid on the surface cannot be long or constant. Many experts recommend class 33 moisture-resistant laminate for the kitchen floor.

Waterproof laminate has a completely different composition:

its basis is a PVC plate, i.e. plastic that is indifferent to water;
the bottom layer of the slab is moisture resistant;
no chamfer, i.e. the joints are closer, they will not let water through;
additional wax treatment of locks.

This type of coating is also called: plastic laminate.

Waterproof laminate for the kitchen pros and cons

It can be used for the floor in the bathhouse, sauna. Prolonged presence of water will not spoil it. Plastic laminate is also suitable for kitchens.

The panels have many design options. A popular solution is the design of panels in the style of wood, under natural stone, under ceramic tiles, this is good for decorating the floor in the kitchen.

Disadvantages of waterproof laminate

high price;
the low environmental friendliness of plastic is alarming. Household polyvinyl chloride in a calm state is not dangerous. But it becomes dangerous when a fire breaks out. when burning, dioxins are released, which are harmful to human health. Currently, PVC is widely used in everyday life, for the production of tableware, packaging material.

Laminate design options in the kitchen

Maybe a chamfer. Laminated panels can be chamfered - bevel along the edges of the board. When installing the panels, grooves are formed - they enhance the similarity of the material with a wooden floor.

Decoration in the style of wooden boards

The laminated coating imitates numerous types of wood: oak, pine, chestnut, wenge, etc. Most of all variations on the theme of oak boards are natural, bleached, smoky, aged, ...

Wood-style laminated panels have a matte non-slip surface that looks austere and tasteful. If you are impressed by the laconicism of the interior, this design option will perfectly fit into your kitchen.

If retro style is your taste, you should choose an antique wood look. Such panels have elements of "scuffed", heterogeneous color with the effect of faded paints.

Tile or stone

Covering with imitation of tiles, natural stone is a good choice for decorating the interior of the kitchen.

Is it possible to lay vinyl tiles in the kitchen

Recently, a novelty has appeared on sale - vinyl floor tiles, called: vinyl laminate. It is difficult to agree with this name, since it's still a tile, not a laminate. Its similarity with a laminated board:

this is also a multi-layer floor covering;
the version of the tile with locks is equipped with the same locks as on the lamellas (but there is a variety of tiles without locks).

The similarities ended there.

Many are wondering if vinyl "laminate" is suitable for the kitchen, so we decided to talk a little about this increasingly popular coating.

Vinyl tiles are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Available in square or rectangular shapes in various sizes, in large rolls; there is a tile that has the size of a laminate panel. It is characterized by a small thickness - from 3 to 6 mm, which allows using the material without reducing the height of the room.

Varieties and features

Vinyl tiles differ in the type of installation:

Tiles differ by strength classes :

grades 23-31: the thinnest tile, the strength is not high. The purpose of the tile is for low-traffic rooms: bedroom, living room;
grades 33-42: commercial option. The strength is high. The purpose of the tiles is for floors in rooms with high traffic: offices, cafes, in apartments - kitchen, hallway, bathroom;
class 44: the largest thickness, the highest strength, anti-slip. The tile is intended for use in gyms. Expensive.

It should be noted a large number of different options for decor and coating colors. There are imitations of natural materials: natural stone and wood.

Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl kitchen flooring

Advantages:

disadvantages

rather high material cost. The price of tiles with good durability starts from about 30 € per m2, i.e. more expensive than a good laminate;
the coating requires a prepared base, well leveled. The base can be cement screed, waterproof plywood, OSB. Vinyl tiles must not be laid on fiberboard, on cork floors, on old plank floors, on household linoleum, on laminate flooring. The surface must be dry before starting installation;
in the event of a fire, vinyl releases toxic substances into the air.

Conclusion

To summarize our reasoning: it is not only possible to lay laminate in the kitchen, but also necessary. Most likely, you already know which laminate is best for your kitchen.

Choose a moisture-resistant, water-resistant, or vinyl covering. It is important to consider its strength class. It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer and the cost of the material. From a huge bouquet of decor and colors, you should choose those that match the interior of your kitchen and have received your sympathy. And then you have the very best laminate flooring for your kitchen.