When it comes to the kitchen many people become confused as to which flooring is most suitable when handling the strains that a kitchen floor may come under.  A kitchen floor needs to be able to cope with the heavy traffic of people, as well as the numerous spillages that may occur. All types of flooring can be used but some would require a lot more attention and potential maintenance than others.

Solid Wood

Solid wood is perfectly acceptable but if you were debating going down the real wood route then we would recommend getting the lacquered solid wood. Lacquered solid wood flooring usually has 7 coats of lacquer applied increasing sustainability. A lacquered floor can handle spillages as long as they are cleaned off reasonably quickly, if a spillage is left then it may stain. Furthermore, the lacquer is very susceptible to scratching, unlike an oiled finish.

modern kitchen with white walls and wooden kitchen interior. Credit: Unsplash

The oil finish may give a more authentic natural look to the kitchen but is extremely vulnerable to stains.  The surface of oiled wood flooring can become exposed after time, so any stains that are not cleaned up immediately may seep into the wood. This could become costly, as the only way to get rid of stains will be to sand and recoat the flooring

Another option for the kitchen would be laminate flooring. This flooring will not give you the same authentic look like some solid or engineered floor, however, it is an easy alternative. Laminate is extremely easy to install, very difficult to scratch and can be efficiently cleaned after a spillage, using a damp mob or even better a laminate floor cleaner. Despite it’s high durability, laminate cannot tolerate too much-standing water. The floor will start to swell if too much water seeps into the seem and this may require certain sections of the flooring to be replaced.

modern kitchen with lvt flooring Credit: Unsplash

Vinyl flooring would be highly recommended for a kitchen as it is highly durable when dealing with heavy traffic and if laid correctly is fully waterproof. Cushioned vinyl allows a warm and comfortable feeling underfoot and comes in a variety of wood, stone and tiled effects. Vinyl flooring should last for around 15 years since any spillages or stains should be relatively easy to clean using a damp mop on the waterproof surface. Even though you may be sacrificing the authentic look that solid or engineered gives, you gain a very low maintenance kitchen floor in return.

The main decision that needs to be made when deciding your kitchen floor is whether you are prepared to look after it. If you are willing to spend extra time ensuring your floor stays in good condition then the choices are endless. However, if you were looking for a low maintenance floor then cushioned vinyl would be highly recommended.

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What flooring do you have in your kitchen? Let us know!

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