Laminate in the kitchen pros and cons

When starting to renovate your kitchen, it is important to choose your flooring wisely. If we compare the requirements for it with other rooms, here they are more stringent, since the owners not only walk on the floor, but also spill liquid and drop food.

This requires thorough cleaning, which involves using various cleaning products with chemical composition and aggressive substances. Some time ago, almost all people chose linoleum, since the choice was small. It attracted people with its qualities, but quickly lost its original appearance.

Types of laminate for the kitchen

Natural wood characterized by a smooth surface. For a more convincing external resemblance, small depressions are applied to the coating, reminiscent of a real wooden floor.

Aged wood suitable for lovers of retro style. The surface has smoothed abrasions and uneven coloring.

Laminated glossy finish looks attractive. The shine appears not only on the floor, but also spreads throughout the kitchen. The gloss is similar to a wooden surface heavily coated with varnish. At first glance it seems as if it is slippery, but it is not. This variety requires special care; it must be washed thoroughly, otherwise any contamination will be obvious.

There is a textured surface that resembles boards with prominent lines and depressions. Stepping on laminate flooring, a person feels the relief that is characteristic of wood. The product is considered useful and has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. With relief it is similar to the textured types, it has slight roughness throughout the board. It is chamfered. This floor is pleasant to walk on.

Oil wood finish absolutely smooth and even, no roughness is felt when stepping on it. Visually it looks like a matte floor treated with drying oil.

Waxed laminate looks like wax, it radiates warmth, the kitchen becomes cozy.

Country style boards Will fit perfectly into the kitchen of country houses and cottages. In appearance they look like wooden boards processed with a plane.

The main advantages of laminate flooring in the kitchen - the pros

The main advantages of the material include:

• does not form cracks, does not lose color, patterns do not disappear;
• The washing process is simple, dirt is removed without the use of special cleaning agents;
• the coating is warmer than tiles, a number of models are suitable for warm floors;
• a good variety does not form dents from the legs of the refrigerator or table, unlike linoleum;
• some varieties look like natural wood, have grooves and bulges like real material;
• Chips and scratches may occur from pinpoint impacts, but they can be easily hidden with a special wax pencil.

IMPORTANT! These advantages apply to material of class 32 and above. The one below is not suitable for installation in the kitchen.

Disadvantages of laminate flooring in the kitchen - cons

In addition to its positive qualities, laminate has disadvantages:

1. Some material models are sensitive to moisture. They are not highly resistant to water and are more suitable for installation in the living room.This is often an inexpensive laminate; if chosen correctly, it will last a long time without damage.
2. Low level of sound insulation. Laminate in its pure form will not provide protection from noise penetration, so neighbors will hear what is happening in the kitchen. To eliminate the problem, it is recommended to install an additional layer of sound insulating material before laying the floor.
3. Contains chemicals. The budget coating includes formaldehyde resins, which, when heated, emit an unpleasant odor and can cause harm to human health. Before purchasing laminate, you need to pay attention to its composition. The environmentally friendly one is E-1.

IMPORTANT! If you properly care for the coating, defects can be avoided.

The laminar floor can be flooded by neighbors, then after hot water, damage will form on it and it will deteriorate. In this case, you will have to completely change the coating. If you purchase a good quality laminate, it will not be sensitive to moisture, but it requires careful care.