Complete Guide to Buying Kitchen Flooring

From limestone to linoleum, cork, concrete, there are a variety of floor coverings that can improve the look of your kitchen. But before your heart is in solid wood or splash out on ceramic, there are a few important points.

"The soil should your kitchen, rather than the center," says Richard Robson of Paris Ceramics supplement. "There should be a platform for the rest of the room without asking to make too much attention." The idealFlooring will help to create a feeling of space and light, and if you have an open plan living area, then consistency is crucial be so sure of a material that can go through the whole way. Certain products may work in the kitchen, but will not feel right for domestic use, for example, and this could impact on your overall decision.

"The key is to find a balance between beauty and durability," says Tony Nicholas, managing director of Nicholas Anthony Kitchens. "Always talk toProfessionals working in a position to advise you on how different floors to fit your lifestyle.

Industrial style flooring

Concrete

"Concrete adds a contemporary edge of a kitchen," says Jonathan Reid of the concrete surface design firm White & Reid. The colors range from off-white charcoal, and it is ideal for open-plan extensions, where they will be moved inside and outside. Unsealed concrete is relatively low maintenance onceand is one of the advantages that it can be poured directly onto the ground without it nothing to it under protection. There are also light versions, which can be used on the upper floors, but you ask a statistician for help.

Resin
Resin used in residential projects, has a soft and flexible surface that commit to hygienically seamless, comfortable, sound, and kills it. "A semi-gloss is best for kitchens," advises John Wilson of Stratum UKResin floors. 'You can not for glory, the real wow factor is to decide, but it does not have the hardness of polished marble or concrete. The gloss finish is finally down and maintenance is mattee need to get it back to its former glory. "Remember, a hand-applied resin system, so there are minor errors in the finish.

Tiles

Stone
Can 'Stone comes in a variety of sizes, colors and textures complement any type of cuisine, "says RichardRobson of Paris Ceramics. Choose from rich brown to muted shades of gray, green and yellow. Even the best quality limestone is porous, but the latest sealants are very effective and, once invoked, the floor should be easy to maintain. "For a modern look to decide to opt for matte surface, extra large tiles," says Jo O 'Grady in the stone age. "Distressed surfaces and random variables, traditional on the other side, tightening food."

China
"China is so versatile and can be made tolook like something out of limestone, concrete, or even modern metallic and moves, "says Johnstone Cressida at Surface." It is virtually maintenance free and bombproof so good if you belong to a dog or chaotic have children. "The newest areas a Wood-effect that is not distinguished, it looks like the real thing.

Composite Materials
With about 38 percent quartz, quartz-composite part and a part stone tile, and requires no sealing. One of the big advantages is that youis an adaptation of the work surface in the same material. To add glamor, select a compound with metallic patches - fabulous together with stainless steel.

Ceramic Tile
Especially coming from clay and other natural materials, ceramic tiles in many different shapes, colors and textures. They are less expensive than porcelain, but usually produced with fewer straight edges and square corners. This means that joints need to be thicker, resulting in a grid-liketo end. However, Syrian or Moroccan glazed tiles can be so beautiful.

Need to know Kitchen Flooring
Underfloor heating can be used with most modern flooring.
Stone and concrete heat and heat very well. However, some wood floors, can mainly extra-wide boards, veneers and some specific types of adhesives, heat sensitive.

Most flooring is best installed by a professional.
Some must be taken into account at the beginning of the kitchen designProcess, while others may be installed. Contact the manufacturer in advance.

Even if your floor is sealed, you should still wipe up spills as soon as possible. And remember, products recommended by the manufacturer to ensure that we use strips oils, varnishes or sealants.

Floors and work surfaces

Interior designer Clare Pascoe Molten London gives us her tips for achieving the perfect floor / desktop combination. But you want to coordinateor contradictory?
To coordinate, go for materials in the same finish (matte or gloss) and adjust the colors as accurately as possible. Choose either a material that is both countertops and floors, or to say the game can be used a walnut floor to a rich brown stone or composite plate.

Alternatively, the contrast of the surfaces in the same color, contrast or color in the same finish as a dark mat floors with a pale matte composite plate. It might even be against both, as amatt slate floor with polished white granite countertop.

Keep in mind that kitchens are a long term investment - make sure you do not tire of the surfaces or colors you choose.

Wood, wood and other natural flooring style

Solid
Renewable and recyclable, CAN cards a real plus when it comes to selling a house. However, it can move massive and red when in the kitchen use, because both moisture and heat sensitive. "Decide how you want the inertBe on the ground, "said John Davies Architects in plastic." Massive change over time, so if you want your soil to stay the same, you choose other materials. "Wood flooring can of polyurethane varnish, linseed oil or natural, the are hard, seal kits and protects the wood be finished. Most sealants will be up to many years of transport before they require reapplication. Choose any gloss level, but be aware that gloss tends to show marks. " Uniform board to give a modern look, "saysSteve Maltby of Junckers. "Boards are rustic with knots."

Engineered Boards
RNA is composed of several layers, Engineered Wood generally has a softwood or plywood and a top with wood or wood-effect layer. "Water and wood are never a good combination, but during massive gape or rejection, technical boards have a central core that prevents moving the upper and lower classes," explains Bill Worman at element 7 Although technically boards may feel less solid, they come in avarious widths and designs and are perfect for achieving a natural wood look.

Laminate
Laminate flooring is made from synthetic materials combined with natural and recycled ingredients together. It comes in a variety of formats, colors and designs, including wood, stone and tiles. And companies like Pergo laminate now have antimicrobial and antistatic properties, which are ideal for kitchens. It is super-resistant - resistant to stains, wear and fading --making it ideal for high-traffic areas. Prices vary enormously, but you get what you pay - can choose cheap laminate in ill-fitting lead bouncy boards and will always be a false economy.

Cork
A long way from the curly orange tiles in the seventies, modern cork flooring is available in a wide range of colors, patterns and finishes. Robust and naturally antibacterial, it is ideal for people with allergies, too. "There is an astonishing 40 million cells in each cubic meter of airCentimeters cork, "says Paul Heatley from Wicanders cork flooring company" which makes it very comfortable underfoot. It also has exceptional acoustic advantages. "Cork is harvested without damaging the tree. In fact, it means removing the bark of the trees live longer.

Bamboo
Gape With a higher rating than any hardwood fiber, bamboo is incredibly durable and is less likely than other solid woods. In general, pretreated by the manufacturer, it can be dyed or their naturalColor, then with a glossy or matte lacquer sealed. Bamboo releases 35 percent more oxygen into the atmosphere than the trees, and is a fast growing grass, so it can be harvested every 3-5 years, making it a very environmentally friendly product.

Flexible floor coverings

Rubber
Silky, warm and tactile rubber flooring comes in a huge variety of colors and textures. Architects say they use rubber as so tough, but it feels soft on the feet. It really is as tough as old boots, "saysJulie Mellor at Dalsouple. If it does not wear in an airport, then it is used in your kitchen. Choose a smooth surface or low-profile cleats in the kitchen, because they are easier to clean. Use products recommended by the manufacturer and polished, rubber coverings, especially at first maintained, as the softer when new.

Linoleum
Similar feel to rubber, linoleum of the ingredients, the key will be a linseed oil are all natural and sustainable. "Natural products such as these have naturallyBenefits, "says Therese Magill at Forbo Flooring." They are really hard, but also the tactile and warm, it's so that they are comfortable under your feet. "Linoleum is also hygienic means bacteria can not live like this and it does not harbor dust mites and is therefore ideal for people with allergies.

Vinyl
Modern, high-quality vinyl is a world away from old-fashioned vinyl film. Exceptionally durable, designs replicate the look and feel of something made of natural materials, such asWood, limestone, slate and marble, more modern surfaces, including zinc and glass. It can also warmer and quieter than under the feet of the real McCoy. 'Vinyl flooring such as Amtico is a good option if you do not have time to maintain a delicate surface have, but still want the look of a natural material, "advises Tony Nicholas of Nicholas Anthony Kitchens

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