The Perfect Kitchen Floor: These Floor Coverings Are Suitable

Today, a perfect kitchen floor must be practical and beautiful because the kitchen, dining room, and living room often merge into one room. Vinyl, parquet, cork, stone, tile, laminate, and linoleum have advantages and disadvantages. Not everyone is equally suitable as a kitchen floor. Our tips will help you decide which flooring to choose.

Kitchen Floor: What Must It Perform?

If you buy a new kitchen floor, the choice should be well considered. Not all floor coverings are equally suitable for the kitchen, and the materials have different advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, there are certain properties that the flooring in the kitchen should have.

• Whether you move chairs or sometimes a knife falls on the kitchen floor: the kitchen floor is subjected to much stress. Therefore, the perfect flooring should ideally be robust and scratch-resistant.
• Things get hot in the kitchen: Water or hot frying oil can splash onto the floor. A good floor covering should not be affected by this.
• Stir the pot, quickly cut some vegetables, and get the oil from the cupboard: You’re constantly on the move on a kitchen floor. Having a floor covering on which you don’t slip would be better.
• We spend a lot of time in the kitchen – so the flooring must also be visually pleasing. Whether you choose a floor covering made of stone, vinyl, parquet, laminate, linoleum, cork, or classic tiles: The flooring should beautify your kitchen.

Tip: It’s best to think about the right kitchen lighting simultaneously to set the stage for the flooring better.

What Floor Coverings Are Available for the Kitchen?

If you decide on a floor covering on the way to the dream kitchen, you can choose between tiles, stone, vinyl, parquet, laminate, linoleum, cork, or carpet. But is every floor equally suitable for kitchens? We give tips and tell you what advantages and disadvantages the floor coverings bring with them in detail.

You can also get advice from these experts in your area:

Vinyl as kitchen flooring

Vinyl flooring is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and has long been considered the standard in kitchens because it is hard-wearing and inexpensive. In addition to the classic all-world gray with light marbling, there has long been a variety of other colors and decors, for example, tile or wood textures.

Advantages of vinyl

• A vinyl floor made of PVC is easy to clean and easily cleaned. Perfect if something splashes on the kitchen floor while cooking.
• Vinyl flooring is easy to repair or mend if there is any damage.
• You can choose many colors and patterns when you install vinyl flooring – this allows you to imitate the look of tiles, parquet, or even laminate.
• Vinyl made of PVC is non-slip and has good impact sound insulation. At the same time, the material is very comfortable for the feet.
• You can lay vinyl directly on old tiles.
• Often, the kitchen floor is also a question of price. The low cost speaks in favor of vinyl. You can get the floor for $25 per square meter.
• There are PVC-free or organic vinyl floors, which are sustainable and free of harmful substances. They usually contain natural raw materials such as castor or rapeseed oil – some even have grain residues added as plasticizers, which can not develop dangerous gases.

Disadvantages of vinyl

Vinyl is not as durable as other materials. Cumbersome furniture or chairs can cause pressure marks that will not go away.
Vinyl is not a natural product and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Parquet Flooring

Parquet flooring is especially suitable for open kitchens. If you install the parquet and connect the living room to the kitchen, both rooms will look more spacious. However, seal the parquet to make it sufficiently resistant to stains and water.

Tip: It is essential to choose a suitable type of wood that has an appearance that is not too delicate. Bamboo parquet can be an option because bamboo is ideal for rooms with higher humidity. Hardwoods such as oak or other domestic species are also suitable for use in the kitchen.

Advantages of parquet

• Real wood makes the kitchen a homey, cozy place and radiates warmth.
• Open-pored parquet can absorb and release moisture from the air. As a result, the flooring also positively affects the indoor climate.
• If you clean and maintain the parquet, minor water splashes are no problem for the floor covering. However, good moisture protection is a prerequisite for this.
• Small irregularities in the material, such as knots, hide even a scratch or stain. You can also repair the parquet to get something out of it for up to 30 years.
• Wood is a climate-friendly raw material insofar as it comes from sustainable forestry. It conserves resources and does not produce harmful greenhouse gases. However, wood from domestic cultivation should be preferred to tropical wood to minimize the emissions caused by transport.
• Since parquet is a natural material, it is also healthy—no need to worry about escaping toxic gases and a polluted indoor environment.

Disadvantages of parquet

• Real wood has its price: for a good parquet floor, you must reckon with an average of 40 euros per square meter. For some types of parquet, the cost increases significantly.
• Parquet is a sturdy floor covering, but dents in the wood cannot be avoided over time. While you can touch up small scratches, larger damage poses a problem.
• If the parquet gets damp, the wooden flooring can swell over time. So it’s best to keep the floor dry at all times.
• The flooring will lose its original color from sunlight, and the wood will fade. If the sun shines directly into your kitchen and you want to keep the original look, you better choose another flooring.

Cork in the kitchen

Cork is a natural flooring material made from the bark of the cork oak tree. There are many advantages when you install a cork floor. However, as a kitchen floor, the disadvantages outweigh the benefits.

Our tip: it is best to choose a different floor.

Advantages of cork

• Cork is an ecological flooring that dampens both footsteps and noise in general.
• The flooring is very elastic and, therefore, good for the joints. In addition, cork is always pleasantly warm, which is especially convenient when there is no underfloor heating.
• Cork flooring is extremely elastic and, therefore, easy on the spine and joints – ideal for frequent back pain.
• Cork is a natural floor covering. Cork without chemical additives and, for example, natural resin as a binder is particularly sustainable.

Disadvantages of cork

• One of the biggest disadvantages of cork is that it is not waterproof, making it not so suitable for the kitchen. In other rooms, a floor made of cork is much better.
• Due to its elastic properties, cork is very susceptible to scratches and dents.

Natural Stone Kitchen Floor

Provided the appropriate budget, stone as a floor covering in the kitchen is a perfect choice. The natural material is very robust and gives the kitchen that certain something. Natural stones such as marble, slate, or granite are chosen here.

Advantages of stone

• Natural stone is water-repellent and easy to clean. Practical if something falls on the floor while cooking.
• Stone tiles as flooring are very durable and resistant to scratches, especially if you choose a harder variety, such as granite or slate.
• Natural stone is an ecologically valuable raw material. Hardly any energy is required for its production, as the rock chunks are sufficiently available in nature – especially locally. Long transport routes are therefore eliminated.
• Stone is a natural product, so every floor covering is unique. Perfect for individualists!

Disadvantages of stone

• If you choose a floor covering of tiles, you better have the money. You can get real marble for about $50 per square meter, but prices can rise to several hundred euros per square meter.
• Tiles made of marble or limestone need a perfect surface sealant because the almost unavoidable splashes in the kitchen leave obvious stains on unprotected stone. But even with sealed material, you should quickly wipe up splashes and drips.
• Acids easily attack the material, so it is best not to clean natural stone with vinegar. However, this need not be a disadvantage if you reach for special washing polishes.
• Once installed, stone flooring is difficult to remove from the kitchen. So better think carefully about whether you can live with the disadvantages.

Linoleum Is a Floor Covering for the Kitchen

Linoleum is a natural material and consists largely of linseed oil. The easy-care flooring can be glued by the meter or laid as tiles. Linoleum is offered in many colors and designs. When laid in a single color, the flooring discreetly adds a touch of color to a room.

Advantages of linoleum

• Linoleum flooring is very durable and insensitive. Even higher temperatures can not harm him in the normal case. Practical if a hot baking tray or the cooking pot should fall on the kitchen floor.
• The kitchen floor is also very slip-resistant – a great advantage when cooking is more turbulent.
• Linoleum is composed of natural raw materials, making it environmentally friendly and sustainable.
• Due to the material composition, linoleum prevents the growth of bacteria. Perfect for a hygienic kitchen.
• Linoleum is made from renewable raw materials such as wood flour, cork flour, or natural resins. Therefore, the flooring is also free of plasticizers and solvents – toxic gases can not escape into the room air and harm health.
• Linoleum can easily clean and counteracts dust formation, which is positive for house dust mite allergy sufferers.

Disadvantages of linoleum

• The floor covering is relatively expensive. Meter goods you can already get between 15 and 50 euros per square meter, but tiles made of linoleum cost much more. Prices here range from $40 to $80 per square meter.
• Linoleum swells when wet. However, if you wipe up damp spots right away, this need not be a disadvantage.
• If linoleum contains PVC, the flooring is no longer environmentally friendly. Plastic is often deposited in nature but can no longer completely degrade there. The production of PVC is also questionable, as toxic gases are produced in the process, which pollutes the environment and health in equal measure.

Tile Kitchen Floor

Floor tiles are available in countless colors, formats, and qualities – from rustic matte stoneware to elegant, high-gloss variants. You can choose between glazed and unglazed tiles. When you cut tiles, you can customize the flooring to fit the exact dimensions of your kitchen.

Advantages of tiles

• Tiles are very inexpensive. The flooring is already available for $5 per square meter. However, depending on the type and quality of the tiles, the cost can rise to $20 per square meter and more.
• Tiles come in all shapes and colors: When you choose tiles, you’re spoiled for choice – but you’re sure to find ones that match your kitchen.
• Tiles are very robust – this is an excellent advantage of tiles, making them perfect flooring for kitchens.
• Tiles can be used for a particularly long time. With proper care, kitchen flooring can last up to 30 years.
• Glazed tiles are straightforward to care for: if you lay and grout tiles carefully, water will not be a problem on the flooring. You can also easily clean glazed tiles in case of grease or other stains.
• Tiles are made from clay and other materials such as soil and water. These are natural raw materials that are 100 percent recyclable.
• Tiles are free of chemicals and resistant to mold. They are also ideal for allergy sufferers because they are easy to clean, preventing allergens such as dust mites from settling and spreading on the surface.

Disadvantages of tiles

• If you decide to use tiles as a kitchen floor, you’d better buy slippers to go with it – or underfloor heating. Because of the material, the flooring can get quite cold.
• Unglazed tiles are a bit more sensitive and can stain more easily.

Laminate as a kitchen floor

Laminate can also be used in the kitchen – as a cheaper alternative to the floor made of real wood. If you already have a kitchen floor made of tiles, this does not have to be a problem: You may be able to install laminate over the tile. In any case, make sure you choose the right laminate quality.

Tip: Whether parquet, laminate, or vinyl – all types of flooring today provide a wide range of natural-looking wood textures that give the kitchen more coziness.

Advantages of laminate

• When you install laminate, you have a choice of countless variations. Because virtually any wood decor is possible, you’re guaranteed to find the flooring that perfectly matches your kitchen.
  A high-quality laminate floor is hard-wearing and hard enough to withstand even dropped kitchen utensils.
• Laminate flooring with impregnation protection is water-repellent and very easy to clean. Nevertheless, you should remove moisture immediately, of course, and regularly clean and maintain the laminate.
• Laminate flooring is inexpensive: you can get good quality flooring for as little as 15 euros per square meter.
• Laminate consists mainly of the natural raw material wood – renewable, so the flooring is considered sustainable and environmentally friendly.
• Like wood, laminate is free of harmful substances.

Disadvantages of laminate

• The service life of laminate is shorter than that of parquet. After about 15 years, you should think about replacing the kitchen floor.
• Although laminate can also be repaired and mended, it does not succeed as well as parquet. Larger scratches can become a visual problem.
• Standing water causes laminate to swell very quickly. Especially if moisture penetrates the joints, this becomes a problem.
• Laminate is visually less high quality than parquet and cooler than real wood.

Carpet: Not a suitable kitchen floor

Needle felt, and velour carpets can be used in the kitchen, provided you choose a quality made of synthetic fibers. With this material, you can easily clean the carpet. Carpets with a loop pile are less suitable: Dust and dirt easily settle and are difficult to vacuum again. In case of too much dirt and damage, in the worst case scenario, you will have to remove the old carpet or mend and re-lay the carpet. Coir or sisal sheets are unsuitable for kitchens: they are susceptible to moisture, and solid dirt particles also fall easily through the loosely woven material – and collect under the covering.

House dust also accumulates easily on carpeted floors, which could be problematic for allergy sufferers. The bottom line is that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits, and carpet is not well suited as a floor for kitchens. Other floor coverings offer significantly greater advantages here.