Most people know that kitchens are tough spaces for flooring. You need to find flooring that looks fine, can withstand water damage, holds up to dropped pans and scraping chairs, and isn’t going to break the bank. Most people choose between laminate, vinyl, and hardwood. Here’s what to expect with each.
What to Expect with Laminate
Laminate is visually similar to wood, but is actually made from compressed fibreboard and is topped with a wood print. It is more affordable and easier to install, as it is a click-in system.
Water is the main issue. Laminate is water resistant but not waterproof. Small water spills are fine, but if water is left sitting on the laminate floor, it gets under the edges and into the joints. When it gets in, the laminate core swells and it can’t be fixed. Edges will lift and joints will start to pull apart.
Though technically water damage can happen when a sink leaks, a mop is used, the laminate gets too wet, and if there is an issue with the mop there will still be damage under the warranty, which most laminate brands do not cover.
Higher quality laminate is typically more durable, with a thicker wear layer, and more water resistant core. If your kitchen laminate gets a lot of spills, it is probably a good idea to invest in a more expensive brand, as the cheaper laminate is not made for kitchen installations.
A good-quality laminate can run between \u00a315-30 per square metre. Cheap laminate can seem a good option, but after about six months it starts to look tired. You can really notice the difference in quality.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl comes in sheets, tiles, and planks. Newer models and styles of vinyl, such as LVT (luxury vinyl tile) can look really good, and some can be a bit of a lookalike for wood.
The main benefit of vinyl is that it is waterproof. Not water-resistant but waterproof. For instance, if you spill an entire bucket of water on it, you won’t have to worry about anything. That is why it is a good option for a kitchen.
The sheet vinyl is also cheaper to buy and is waterproof, plus it has no joints to worry about. It is practical, but a bit basic and plain in its appearance. LVT planks can look a lot nicer, but do cost quite a bit more. Each plank has joints but they fit tight, and water can’t really get through like it can with laminate flooring.
Vinyl is also softer underfoot than laminate, which is especially nice if you do a lot of standing at the kitchen counter. Cushion backed vinyl is also softer but it can be more prone to showing dents, and rigid vinyl is a tougher option.
In most cases it will last from 10-20 years. Regular use shouldn’t be a problem for it, but the surface can get worn, and things like heavy furniture can leave dents, while sharp objects can leave scratches. You won’t be able to sand and refinish the surface like with real wood flooring, so once it’s worn, it’s done.
Prices vary widely – from around £20 to £60 per square foot depending on quality. Good looking LVT of real wood design costs about the same as good looking laminate but it performs better in wet areas.
Hardwood in Kitchens
It’s real wood – it looks great, adds even greater value to a property, lasts for decades, and sanding and refinishing can be done multiple times. But kitchens, that’s a bit of a pickle.
See wood and water don’t mix. A glass of water that’s been spilled isn’t a disaster waiting to happen, provided that it’s been wiped up immediately. But standing water on wood, that’s a yes. It damages wood entirely – swelling, warping and staining for the standing wood disaster waiting to happen. Wood floors are bad news when water becomes a problem – dishwasher floods, leaking sinks, mopping that leaves puddles.
In a kitchen, engineered wood is better than solid wood because it’s more stable, but moisture problems still exist.
If you are careful and keep on top of maintenance, there are ways wood can be incorporated into a kitchen, but if you’re looking for honesty about your living space, if things tend to be spilled without cleaning immediately, it’s a bit risky.
That’s solid wood, £40-80 per square foot plus fitting, whilst engineered wood is from £30-60. That’s also before finishing costs.
The Honest Assessment
In terms of practicality, it’s hard to beat vinyl. It’s waterproof, moderately priced, looks good enough, and you don’t have to constantly worry about every potential spill ruining it.
Laminate works too, but it requires a bit more effort for cleaning and taking care of. If you have young kids, some inconsistent dishwashing habits, or are just not that careful with it, laminate will eventually be an issue.
Nothing looks better than wood, but it also requires the most care and you have to be careful with it to avoid repairs in the future. It is a risk in the kitchen especially, if you are not careful about maintenance and are prepared for in some repairs in the future.
What About Cost Over Time?
With vinyl, the upfront cost is £30/square metre, and for a 15 year lifespan, that ends up being £2/square metre/year. Laminate, with an 8 year lifespan and £20 cost, that ends up being £2.50/year. Wooden floors are more expensive at £60, with a 30 year lifespan and refinishing needed every 10 years, but that also ends up being £2/year.
Out of all the options, vinyl gives you the best balance of performance, cost, and not having to worry about it. It’s not a surprise at all that it is the most popular choice for kitchens.
The Option
Most users prefer vinyl flooring because it is the most practical option. People who want something that looks like wood but is cheaper than the real wood have the option of getting wooden-look laminate flooring and being careful with it. Otherwise, there is wood-effect LVT. Those who want real wood and are prepared to take good care of it can obtain engineered wood.
Consider how the kitchen is used rather than how it is desired to be used in order to obtain the best option.
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