While tiling has long been the reference floor covering for the kitchen, there are now other options that are just as renowned for their strength, ease of cleaning and aesthetics. Let’s take a look at the different characteristics of existing coatings for kitchens and their advantages and disadvantages to help you make the most suitable choice for your room.
Different kitchen flooring
Here are the different types of coatings that you can install in your kitchen.
The tiling
Porcelain stoneware tiles remain the most popular trend in kitchen flooring. It must be said that it only has advantages, or almost. Easy to maintain in this piece which can get dirty quickly, simple to install, available in a very wide range of models to satisfy all desires, it also remains economical.
- His advantages : it is available in a very wide range of colors and textures to meet all tastes, it is not afraid of water or humidity, it does not stain and is shock resistant, it is easy to clean and its price is interesting (10 to 100 euros per square meter).
- Its disadvantages : it is noisier than some other coatings, and dishes falling on it usually break due to its hardness. Also, when wet, it can be slippery.
The tiling also includes cement tiles, which are very fashionable models and which blend perfectly with all styles of decoration.
natural stone
Close to tiles, but more upscale, natural stone has everything to seduce. If certain models of porcelain stoneware tiles know how to imitate it, it remains unbeatable and unequaled in terms of beauty and finishes. Very elegant, it will bring a lot of charm and class to your kitchen.
- His advantages : rustic and modern at the same time, natural stone is very aesthetic and elegant. It evokes the authenticity and chic charm of the countryside. Very strong and durable, it is perfect for covering a kitchen.
- Its disadvantages : it is expensive, with an average of 50 to more than 200 euros per square meter. If it is easy to clean, some stones require specific maintenance and treatment once or twice a year.
waxed concrete
Polished concrete is an ideal solution for a kitchen. You can install it alone or make a reminder with a work plan and/or a splashback in waxed concrete. Very modern, it is increasingly attractive for its ease of maintenance and the fact that it fits into all styles of decoration is an undeniable asset.
- His advantages : it is a resistant and solid coating, very easy to maintain. Devoid of joints and fittings that can be unsightly, it is uniform and hygienic, a godsend in a kitchen! In addition, its success means that it is now available in a wide range of colors and effects.
- Its disadvantages : it must be installed by a pro, because its installation is complex, which adds the cost of installation to its already high price of around 100 euros per square meter. In addition, it requires water-repellent treatment once or twice a year, like natural stone.
The floor
Yes, you can lay parquet in a kitchen! It is indeed possible to install a wooden floor in a damp room, but on condition that you opt for a rot-proof species. You have the choice between exotic woods (teak, merbau, etc.), aged oak and acacia. On the other hand, you must imperatively oil your parquet floor and not vitrify it in order to better protect it.
- His advantages : it is a noble material, aesthetic and naturally warm, which will adorn your kitchen with the most beautiful effect imaginable.
- Its disadvantages : you will have to invest in a high quality wood, therefore very expensive (40 to 200 euros per square meter). In addition, it remains fragile and its maintenance is more difficult than for other coatings.
If the aesthetics of wood seduces you without wanting to invest in a high-end and expensive species, you can opt for a laminate floor. This coating is made of waterproof vinyl resin that can imitate wood or other materials. It is more resistant to shocks than real wood parquet and its price is much more attractive (20 to 40 euros per square meter on average). An attractive solution for lovers of the wood effect.
The linen
Lino is a soft floor that is suitable for kitchens. On the other hand, to obtain a quality product, it is necessary to avoid aiming for the first prices and it is advisable to invest in a solid, non-slip and stain-resistant model of good quality. Although it has lost its luster, linoleum has been back in fashion for a few years thanks to its natural composition and easy maintenance.
- His advantages : very inexpensive, with nearly 2 to 10 euros per square meter, it is easy to install and maintain. In addition, there is a very wide range of colors and effects.
- Its disadvantages : less solid than the others, it marks easily in the event of falling dishes or quite simply with the legs of chairs and stools.
How to choose your kitchen flooring?
To choose your kitchen covering, you will need to take into account the following criteria:
- The desired decorative style
- The cost of the coating according to your budget and the surface to be covered
- The ease of maintenance of the floor
- Its resistance to shocks (crockery falls are possible)
- Its tightness, because the kitchen is a humid room
- Its non-slip power, because water falling on the ground can make it slippery
- The ease of installation, because a covering that must be installed by a professional entails additional labor costs
Finally, if you are equipped with a kitchen open to your living room, remember to harmonize the flooring of your two rooms to avoid oddities in terms of decoration!