what type of coating to choose?

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The different selection criteria for a kitchen floor covering

While there are different solutions, it is however necessary to make sure that the flooring you want to turn to will meet different criteria. Indeed, what characterizes a kitchen as a room is humidity and intense passage.

  • Therefore, you must opt ​​for a resistant floor covering. It is imperative that it is suitable for intensive use, but also strong enough to withstand all the hazards that can arise in a kitchen, such as falling cutlery, pots, hot or cold liquids spilled, etc.
  • Choose a solution easy to maintain. Indeed, between the projections of food or fat, the kitchen is a room that gets dirty extremely quickly.
  • As the kitchen is known to be a rather humid room, the flooring must be waterproof.
  • Also prefer a non-slip floor covering.
  • Another selection criterion is aesthetic style.
  • And the last one is its cost compared to your budget.

The different types of flooring for the kitchen

If the first material we all think of at first glance is tile, it is indeed a solution for your kitchen floor, but it is far from the only one. Let’s discover all the solutions that exist and that are adapted to this living room.

Tiling

This solution is the most widespread, but it is gradually dethroned by other equally interesting alternatives.

Its advantages :

  • The tiling offers the advantage of being easy to clean and it is not afraid of water.
  • It comes in different sizes and colors to meet all your needs and desires.
  • There is something for all budgets.
  • It can be chosen according to its destination: adapted to the ground, non-slip, etc.
  • For DIY enthusiasts, this is a solution that can be implemented without calling a professional.
  • Tiling is a sustainable option.

Its disadvantages:

  • We appreciate less the fact that it is a cold material, unless you have a heated floor.
  • In addition, it is very hard, which means that if you drop dishes on it, there is a good chance that it will break.

Cement tiles

It is a very fashionable solution at the moment. Those who adopt it in their interior can resort to cement tiles or other coverings that mimic this effect. Here we are not talking about imitations.

Their strengths:

  • Very aesthetic, they bring a traditional aspect to your interior.
  • They come in different patterns and a multitude of colors.
  • They can easily be combined with other materials and therefore easily find their place in an open kitchen.

Their disadvantages:

  • In return, it is a solution which suffers from a certain fragility and therefore requires careful maintenance.
  • In addition, their price is quite high.

Natural stone

This type of flooring is growing in popularity and is now found in many kitchens.

Its advantages :

  • It is a very strong solution.
  • Natural stone brings incredible charm to the kitchen.
  • Cleaning is easy, just use soap and water.
  • Finally, it is a lasting solution.

Its disadvantages:

  • However, this is an expensive option per square meter.
  • Due to the weight of natural stone, the base must be strong enough to support it.
  • The implementation is more complex and may require calling in a professional.
  • If you opt for porous stones, you will need to carry out a water repellent and stain resistant treatment twice a year.

Waxed concrete

Very trendy also, this solution allows to create an interior full of charm. While it often offers an industrial style, depending on the color and effect chosen, it can also create different atmospheres.

Its advantages :

  • Very resistant to shocks, it is a durable solution.
  • Easy to maintain, it is a hygienic solution.
  • With waxed concrete, no problem with unsightly joints.
  • It comes in different colors and effects. You also have the choice of a matte, gloss or satin finish.

Its disadvantages:

  • It can get scratched easily.
  • It is a rather expensive solution which needs to be carried out by a professional.
  • In addition, it requires a water repellent treatment.

The floor

Whether solid or engineered, parquet is more and more adopted in kitchens. However, the choice of the type of wood should not be left to chance, since it is a water feature. Indeed, wood and humidity do not mix well, unless you opt for an exotic wood that will be rot-proof. You can also turn to acacia if it has undergone a heat treatment to dry the wood.

Its advantages :

  • It is an aesthetic solution that gives a warm side to the room.
  • Wood is also a very good insulator.

Its disadvantages:

  • Nevertheless, it is an expensive solution, since it is necessary to choose a wood in a resistant species and which does not risk to suffer from the passage.
  • It is difficult to maintain.
Parquet In The Kitchen
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Laminate

Laminate should not be confused with parquet. Indeed, its composition is different. It is therefore a separate type of coating.

Its advantages :

  • It is a fairly affordable solution.
  • It comes in different colors and patterns.
  • You can install it on any surface without necessarily calling a professional.

Its disadvantages:

  • Water is its enemy, so you will have to forget about washing with plenty of water.
  • Additionally, it resonates when something is dropped on it, likewise, if you have any pets, you will hear their claws well on this surface.

Resilient floor coverings

They are available in different materials, such as cork, PVC, linoleum, vinyl, etc. They can also come in the form of PVC tiles which can be installed quite easily and whose strength is more important. These will find their place more easily in your kitchen provided the floor is perfectly flat.

Their strengths:

  • It is a fairly economical solution.
  • There is a wide choice of colors and patterns.
  • It is an easy solution to implement.
  • Maintenance is easy.

Their disadvantages:

  • Depending on the type of coating you choose, it will be more or less resistant, but, in general, these are not very durable alternatives, because they are quite fragile.

The case of the open kitchen

If you have an open kitchen, you can opt for a combination of different floor coverings. However, you must ensure that these blend perfectly and create a harmonious whole. When choosing the ones you want, remember to check the thickness of each one so as not to have a gap between the two which could be annoying on a daily basis. If, for example, you choose a parquet for your living room and a tile for your kitchen, know that there are junction solutions for a better result.


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