How to choose a good laminate for the kitchen - a complete guide. Is it possible to put a laminate in the kitchen Which laminate is better to choose for the kitchen reviews

Laminate flooring has many advantages. Connoisseurs of eco-styles love him for his resemblance to natural wood, economical hosts appreciate affordable prices, it attracts practical people with ease of installation and unpretentiousness in care. Currently, there are a huge number of types of laminate, among which you can choose a coating for rooms with high humidity. Resistance to climatic extremes, water resistance, high wear resistance make it possible to use the coating even in the kitchen.

Laminate manufacturers provide great opportunities in choosing the decor of the coating. The covering imitates any valuable breeds of a tree, a stone, a tile. You can find design options in the form of the most amazing drawings.

Modern laminate is almost not afraid of moisture. Manufacturers treat it with special water-repellent impregnations, which include wax. Many more expensive types of coatings have interlocks, also treated with wax-containing substances - these are the most water-resistant types. It is these coatings that must be used in the kitchen. If you purchased a laminate, the joints of which are not treated with wax, you must treat them yourself with a special sealant! Otherwise, you risk getting swelling at the joints of the panels after a while.

Modern laminate is waterproof and moisture resistant. The waterproof look is not afraid of moisture, but is afraid of copious amounts of water spilled on it. A waterproof floor can withstand an abundance of water for a long time (up to 12 hours), but its price is much higher than the cost of an untreated coating. In any case, if water gets on the floor, it must be as soon as possible remove and wipe the floor dry. It is recommended to use a coating of at least 31 wear resistance class in the kitchen. This will avoid the hassle of falling kitchen utensils, splashing hot oil, spilled juice, or moving a heavy refrigerator.

Modern laminate manufacturing technologies completely eliminate emissions harmful substances into the atmosphere, environmentally friendly materials are used in its production. During the production process, the coating undergoes strict control for toxic safety. Therefore, it can be safely used in the kitchen without fear of harming your health. Most importantly, you need to buy laminate from serious manufacturers with a good reputation. When purchasing, you must ask for a hygiene certificate. The instructions must necessarily indicate in which rooms it can be used.

To avoid an unpleasant booming sound from moving furniture and steps, it is necessary to lay a special substrate under the laminate. It can be polyethylene, cork or extruded polystyrene. The underlay serves as a shock absorber, reduces impact noise and helps to even out small irregularities in the base. Some more expensive types of laminate already have a substrate in their composition.

When buying a floor, it is necessary to provide a margin of 5-10% for trimming. The more complex the shape of the room, the more scraps will remain, and the more you need to take "in reserve". You also need to decide what type of locking system suits you. Do not forget to ask the seller what technology is used to install the laminate you have chosen. There are 2 types of installation: glue and glueless. Recently, adhesive-free assembly coating has become widespread.

Laminate can be laid on any substrate: tiles, wood floors, carpets. The main thing is that it be even and with good waterproofing.

The laying direction can be any: along the room, along the window opening, diagonally. The most time-consuming method is diagonally, it is better to entrust it to a professional. In order for the joints to be invisible, it is recommended to lay the floor in the direction of the light from the window. The combination of different laying methods allows you to visually highlight the functional areas and change the geometry of the kitchen.

A good effect is achieved through the combination of ceramic tiles in working area with laminate on the rest of the area. Floor tiles must be selected with a rough surface to avoid the possibility of slipping and falling. The combination of laminate with tiles looks good in a large space. In a small kitchen, it can visually crush and reduce the volume of the room.

Laminate flooring requires careful maintenance. Manufacturers recommend wiping it with a well-wrung damp or dry cloth. There are many special floor care products. Many manufacturers offer proprietary formulations that help to easily remove stains and dirt, mask scratches and damage, helping to preserve for a long time appearance coatings. Place a rubberized mat around the sink area to prevent water from getting on the floor. To reliably protect the surface from scratches and chips, it is necessary to use felt pads under the legs of the refrigerator and kitchen set.

The emergence of new modern moisture-resistant types of laminate has made it possible to widely use this material and give a positive answer to the question of whether they put a laminate in the kitchen. feature different types moisture-resistant laminates is that they differ in their characteristics and parameters - this provides for various ways styling.

In many cases, to obtain a quality result, it may be necessary to level the floor in the kitchen. When deciding whether it is possible to lay the laminate on the floor on your own, it should be noted that laying the laminate in the kitchen with your own hands is not an extremely difficult task if you use the advice of specialists and do the work without disturbing the process.

Laminate for the kitchen

When deciding whether it is possible to lay a laminate in the kitchen, two types of it are considered: moisture resistant and water resistant.

Moisture-resistant laminate differs from the usual one in that its edges with locks are covered with a special water-repellent wax composition, and an additional protective layer is applied to its surface.

A high-quality moisture-resistant laminate of well-known foreign brands can withstand being in water for about 6 hours without losing its performance.

Moisture-resistant laminate is suitable not only for the bathroom and hallway, but also for the kitchen

When deciding whether or not to put laminate in the kitchen, many opt for a water-resistant look that has a wider range of performance. In addition to the standard type on locks, a wide range of modifications is produced in the form of thin flexible plates with a thickness of about 4 - 5 mm. Waterproof laminate plates can be mounted on the floor in several ways:

• standard lock connection;
• gluing to the floor surface;
• laying panels on a finished substrate, partially protruding beyond their dimensions;
• installation of the floor on the adhesive coating of the panels themselves.

How to install laminate flooring in the kitchen

Do-it-yourself laminate flooring in the kitchen is considered one of the easiest construction works. This requires the simplest tool in the form of a square, pencil, hacksaw or jigsaw for cutting sheets, pegs may be needed to step back from the walls.

When buying for living rooms, material of class 31 and 32 is selected, class 33 is used in the corridor and in the kitchen.

You should not pre-purchase a laminate, it is better to do this a few days before laying. The fact is that in the room where the repair is being done, there may be increased humidity from plastering or painting work, the laminate can absorb this moisture and lose its properties.

The laminate should be laid in compliance with the expansion joint: a distance of 10 mm must be retreated from the wall.

It is possible to lay a laminate in a run-up with the plates offset by half the length (two-row laying), one-third (three-row), and a quarter of the plate length (four-row), three-row breakdown is mainly used.

Laying the laminate in the kitchen with your own hands should be done along the direction of the light, this makes the seams invisible.

Often laminated panels have a repeating pattern, so when laying it is desirable to distribute them so that there are no repetitions nearby.

Metal hammers should not be used to compact the panels, a rubber mallet is usually used. Also, do not hit with a hammer along the edge of the lock; for this, a special flat closer is used, through which tamping is performed, or a laminate board is trimmed.

Particular attention should be paid to the substrate, the cheapest option deforms over time and in the kitchen the laminate moves away from the floor, the more expensive cork substrate is better.

The underlayment is an important element for laying the floor, which is not worth saving on.

Before laying the laminate in the room, it is necessary to measure its width. If the last row is less than 5 cm, then the first row from the wall is cut off. It is clear that this rule does not have to be observed if the last stacked row in the kitchen or room is completely covered with furniture.

To firmly fasten the panels near the wall, a special z-shaped clamp is used (you can do it yourself by bending the edges of the metal plate in opposite directions). When sealing the joints of the plates, one of its ends rests against the edge of the plate, the second is knocked out with a hammer.

It is not necessary to lay the plates in the traditional way - in parallel rows, you can lay the laminate beautifully and aesthetically in a herringbone pattern.

Laying laminate with glue

To work, you will need a toothed comb with a pitch of 3 - 5 mm, a paint knife, a durable rubber roller that you can press hard on.

Waterproof vinyl laminate in the kitchen is most often made in the form of thin sheets with a thickness of 3 - 5 mm., for its gluing adhesive composition applied to the floor surface with a notched trowel.

Laminate can only be laid on a primed surface. This is useful in terms of better adhesion and reduced adhesive consumption - otherwise it will be absorbed into the porous, unprimed screed.

Before laying the laminate on the adhesive - it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface

As with laying linoleum, when the smallest pebbles get under the surface of the sheet, a bump may appear over time - this will lead to accelerated wiping of the laminate in this place. Therefore, before applying the adhesive, the surface should be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Vinyl laminate is cut with a simple paint knife and breaks at the incision, no additional tools this is not required.

Manufacturers recommend pressing the surface with special rollers of 50 - 70 kg when laying. This is unrealistic to achieve at home with self-laying, so a durable rubber roller is used, with which the sheets are rolled with effort.

Before you put the laminate closer to the wall or near the pipes, it is necessary to lay out the sheets on a dry one and cut them, otherwise, when approaching the wall or pipes, extra time will be spent on cutting and the glue will dry during this time.

Before laying laminate flooring, also make sure your floor is even.

How to level the floor in the kitchen

The most important condition for high-quality laying of a laminate is the presence of a flat surface. If the kitchen has a poor-quality screed with height differences of more than 5 mm, then when laying a standard laminate with locks, it will move under load, the seams may deform and disperse over time. This is especially unpleasant when laying a moisture-resistant floor, the most demanding on the state of the seams.

Moisture resistant laminate will require special attention when laying it.

The most commonly used methods for leveling the screed are applying a new screed or filling the floor surface with a self-levelling leveler.

In both cases, the height of the kitchen floor will increase even with the subsequent laying of a standard lock laminate the floors in the corridor and in the kitchen do not match in level, which is unacceptable.

The best option to solve this problem, there may be a rejection of the standard type of floor with a thickness of 9 - 12 mm. With a backing and replacing it with a thinner waterproof quartz-vinyl laminate. Its thickness is 4 - 5 mm., This will allow you to fill in a self-leveling screed with a thickness of 5 - 7 mm. and level the floors of the kitchen and corridor with laminate and underlayment with a total thickness of 9 - 12 mm.

The price of a waterproof laminate is much higher, but considering that the area of ​​a standard kitchen is usually small, and in return you will get an eternal floor (34 or 43 strength class) that does not burn (traces of cigarette butts and matches do not remain on it). Given that such a floor is not subject to shock loads (hammer blows do not leave marks) and most chemical substances, economic costs in this case can be justified.

Waterproof laminate flooring is not only practical in high humidity areas, but also durable.

Not everyone will be able to fill the self-leveling well for the first time, in extreme cases, you can find a specialist: the work of filling the kitchen will take no more than half an hour and will not require large material costs for payment.

Moreover, for high-quality filling, it is necessary construction mixer and a needle roller on a long handle, a notched trowel, a trough for mixing the mixture.

Another important factor is the exact calculation of the amount of mixture needed to fill the layer of the required thickness.

To do this, there is a very useful program on the Internet called "calculator for calculating the self-leveling floor." The thickness of the floor and the area of ​​​​the room are entered into it, the name and brand of self-leveling from a different manufacturer are also selected, as a result we get the amount of the required dry mix in kilograms.

Filling the floor in the kitchen with your own hands

Filling the floor can be a time consuming process if you do it yourself.

Before applying the self-leveler, it is imperative to prime the floor surface (it is advisable to do this twice, adding more water during the first primer), and allow it to dry in accordance with the instructions for the primer.

A waterproofing edge tape should be glued around the perimeter of the room (you can use a rubber damper tape for a drywall profile), it will perform two functions: it will create the necessary expansion joint and prevent the self-leveler from flowing into the cracks at the corners of the floor.

After kneading the mixture with a mixer in a trough strictly according to the instructions on the package (in many cases it is too thick and you can add a little water), it is poured onto the floor and leveled with a notched trowel. Then the surface is rolled with a spiked roller, it must be done with smooth movements (otherwise the drops will fall on the wall) for no more than 10 minutes.

To prevent the self-leveler from getting on the surface of the walls, you can paste over them with newspapers or paper using masking tape, you should also roll the needle roller from the wall.

When working, it is desirable to roll out the entire surface of the floor at the same time, in a large room for this you will have to walk on the floor in order to reach the far walls or corners. For these purposes, special construction shoes with spikes are sold, but you can make homemade version or work in rubber boots.

Laminate is often referred to as "laminated parquet" and is an inexpensive alternative to parquet or solid board. This is exactly how he was conceived by the manufacturers, and today he can reliably copy tiles. If you want the entire apartment to have the same floor, then you are most likely wondering if it is possible to lay a laminate in the kitchen and how practical it will be. Be sure that modern laminate is able not only to copy ceramics and wood, but also to adequately replace them in terms of its performance characteristics. The main thing is to choose the right wear resistance class, the type of coating, a beautiful and non-staining design, and, of course, put it in a quality way with your own hands.

Laminate is a material that consists of medium density fibreboard (HDF) and paper impregnated with melamine resins, on which a pattern is applied.

1. The upper acrylic or melamine overlay layer (overlay) with a thickness of not more than 1 mm protects against wear.
2. Decorative layer - several or one patterned paper impregnated with melamine resins.
3. Damper - intermediate protective and decorative, sound-absorbing layers that increase impact strength. Most often made of impregnated kraft cardboard.
4. HDF board is a base wood-fiber layer with a thickness of 6-8 mm.
5. Stabilizer - a layer of paper impregnated with paraffin or resin that protects against warpage. Does not allow the fiberboard to react to changes in temperature and humidity.

Pros - cons

The main advantage of the laminate is that it copies expensive materials well, not much inferior to them in wear resistance and practicality, while being cheaper.

Affordable price does not deprive the coating of functionality - high-quality laminate flooring can be laid in the kitchen, because the coating is easy to clean, does not lose color under ultraviolet rays, is not afraid of stains, bumps, cracks or scratches. Really high-quality material will be resistant to abrasion.

Why is it better than other floor coverings - tiles, linoleum, self-leveling floor, parquet and massive boards?

• He warmer tiles and less noisy
• Unlike parquet and solid boards, there are no traces of stiletto heels on the laminate;
• The laminate does not leave dents from heavy kitchen furniture, which is characteristic of linoleum;
• You can easily put it with your own hands and without a partner - unlike a self-leveling floor, for example;
• Laminate is practically the most affordable type of flooring.

However, if in the bedroom and living room laminate can be called an ideal coating in all respects, then in the specific conditions of the kitchen it still has some drawbacks.

• Some types of laminate really cannot (or can, but with caution) be placed in the kitchen, as they cannot withstand high humidity, temperature fluctuations, or spilled coloring liquids like wine or beet juice, and can be deformed from falling heavy and sharp objects. We will tell you how to choose a laminate for the kitchen below;
• The disadvantages of the laminate include a rather sonorous sound, which forms a coating during steps or falling objects. However, this drawback is more a consequence of incorrect installation than a problem of the material itself. The “defect” is eliminated with the help of a special sound-absorbing substrate;
• There is an opinion that the laminated coating is not environmentally friendly enough. But manufacturers with a well-deserved reputation in the market refute this misconception by conducting serious tests for the toxic safety of their products. Carrying out such tests is confirmed by a hygienic certificate that accompanies each batch of material;
• Artificiality - no matter how authentically it imitates original materials, it still remains a copy and, to one degree or another, loses to them in terms of aesthetic and operational qualities.

How to choose a coating by strength class

How to choose a laminate for the kitchen? First of all, you need to focus on the strength class.

This class is denoted by two digits. For domestic use, coatings of class 21, 22, 23 are intended - in ascending order of resistance. According to this classification, class 23 laminate can be laid in the kitchen, it is inexpensive, but it will last no more than 4 years, since it consists of only three layers.

In fact, laminate household type 21 and 22 classes are no longer sold in stores. The reason is the lack of demand. In Russia, the commercial type is more popular.

The material of commercial classes is considered to be more durable - 31, 32, 33. But the 31st wear resistance class is more suitable for bedrooms and living rooms, and for the kitchen it is better to choose 32, 33, 34+ classes. Such a floor can serve in the kitchen for about 25 years. You can read more about laminate classes on Wikipedia.

Commercial coatings consist of five layers:

• Moisture resistant film at the base;
• High density wood board;
• Decorative layer of durable paper;
• Acrylic resin to protect decor;
• Moisture resistant top film.

Moisture resistant or waterproof coating?

High-quality modern laminated panels are practically not afraid of water - special water-repellent wax-based compounds are applied to them as a protective layer. However, the joints between the panels are not processed by all manufacturers, and therefore these parts of the coating remain susceptible to moisture.

For the kitchen, you can choose:

1. Moisture-resistant coating - does not respond to high humidity in the room, but the base may be deformed if water gets into the joints. Able to withstand drops, splashes and even small puddles, but the time of exposure to the liquid should be no more than 20 minutes. In this case, when laying, sealing of the seams is required.
2. Waterproof laminate is more expensive, but can withstand moisture for up to 6 hours. Here, the joints are processed at the factory, so that additional measures to protect them are not required. The most reliable is considered to be a laminate with a plastic base, but it is also the most expensive.

Decor types

When choosing a laminate for the kitchen, you can get confused - there are a lot of pattern, color and texture options: from copies of a cork floor to imitation of snake skin. The most popular option is the "wooden" design under massive board with a 1:9 or 1:6 aspect ratio. High-quality laminate is so similar to parquet that it even has a fibrous texture on the surface.

In addition, manufacturers offer laminate with chamfers on its transverse and longitudinal sides, so that it looks as close as possible to wooden parquet boards.

Also, before going to the store, keep in mind that the laminate can have one, two, three or many stripes in the die. Think about what you like best.

And in the next photo, a brown laminate in the interior of the kitchen with prevailing warm colors in furniture and decoration.

Read more about the combination of colors in the interior of the kitchen.

Light and dark laminate are not the easiest options to maintain. A dark surface will show crumbs, dust, stains, light pet hair, etc. On light coatings, all defects such as chips and swollen joints will be noticeable.

In terms of practicality best colors– gray and traditional brown.

The tile floor also has a similar "ceramic" texture with roughness and porosity, and a shape with an aspect ratio of 1:3 or 1:4. But this option is not in great demand, since instead of a “copy of a tile”, it is better to use a real tile.

When choosing flooring for our favorite kitchen, we inevitably stop at the choice of flooring. In order to accomplish it, one has to independently find answers to many different issues. For example, which is better - tile or linoleum? Today's article is devoted to the answer to the last question.

What coatings are most common in modern kitchens?

Let's outline the range of those materials that are generally used in design for decorating kitchen floors.

1. Linoleum. Traditionally democratic, plastic, diverse and affordable, this material was once universally loved for its ease of installation and operation. However, it does not differ in wear resistance, is sensitive to impact hot water, acids and mechanical stress.
2. Tile is one of the versatile materials for kitchen floors. Durable, wear-resistant, it perfectly withstands heavy weight and boiling water, household chemicals and exposure to ultraviolet light. But it requires a special laying technique, a flat floor. She is not loved by many because she has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and remains cool, even if the room is warm.
3. Laminate moved into the kitchen just a few years ago. Its traditional habitats are living rooms. There he was famous for his beautiful texture, the ability to create an interior with various breeds tree that it imitates. Laminate allows you to mount underfloor heating, it has a pleasant surface that quickly takes on temperature environment. But for kitchens, this material began to be used quite recently, becoming an alternative to wood and parquet floors, which, although beautiful, are not very suitable for use in rather harsh kitchen conditions.

Laminate in the kitchen - pros and cons

The material is divided into several classes, like any other floor coverings. The higher the class, the higher the strength and performance characteristics. Like any other material Laminate has many benefits., including for kitchen floors.

• Laminate perfectly imitates any type of wood - from dark ebony to bleached oak. It always looks beautiful, stylish and goes well with almost any interior design. There are options for lovers of "stone" design - a laminate that recreates the structure and color of natural stone.
• If you - happy owner flat floors, then laying laminate flooring will be very easy, taking less than a day, including the installation of skirting boards and corner joints.
• Due to its high heat exchange coefficient, the laminate quickly takes on the ambient temperature. So walking barefoot on a pleasant surface will be safe not only for small children's feet. Pets will also be pleased to run on such floors.
• Laminate makes it possible to mount a warm floor in the kitchen. This is practically inaccessible to do if you decide to lay out the floor with tiles or wooden planks. So lovers of real comfort and warmth can use laminate to decorate underfloor heating in the kitchen.

Let us now turn our attention to the objections that are most often put forward. against the use of laminate in the kitchen area.

• Moisture resistance. Yes, water, and especially its stagnation, is harmful to laminate flooring. However, starting from class 23, the laminate has a high resistance to " water procedures". Those buyers who are not used to taking risks can purchase a heavy-duty laminate, which starts from class 31.
• Modern technologies do not stand still, and now manufacturers are offering to the attention of very cautious and meticulous buyers a laminate that has increased resistance to moisture and steam. In the name of such a coating, as a rule, the prefix "Aqua" is found. Distinguish between moisture resistant and waterproof coating options! The first is only resistant to the influence of moisture, but the second is not only moisture, but even water is not terrible at all. This is achieved by a special water-repellent impregnation composition and a coating of laminate locks.
• Another objection to this material as a kitchen floor covering is that it is quite soft and therefore subject to mechanical stress - impact marks and scratches are inevitable on soft cover. However, if you choose a laminate of high strength classes, then such problems will not bother you. Coating classes 31-33 guarantee the durability of the coating, including impact resistance. In any case, any piece of furniture requires an attentive and careful attitude, and insurance against accidental damage will be high quality material.

Laminate for the kitchen: choose according to the rules

So, we decided what kind of coating is laid on the kitchen. At least a lot of stores offer laminate flooring that is advertised as being suitable for kitchen conditions. Let's understand the rules for buying the most correct and suitable laminate.

1. When planning to purchase laminate flooring, keep in mind that it requires a very flat surface. If your floor in the kitchen does not differ from that, then you cannot avoid leveling. Add the amount of this work to the estimate, and the thickness of the screed and substrate to the height of the laminate. Then you will get exact values ​​for your gender and they won't become unpleasant surprise after completion of work.
2. When choosing a laminate, consider the volume of loads in your kitchen. If you often cook, you have a large family, small children, pets, then it makes sense to invest in a better and more durable coating with additional waterproof impregnations. If you are in the kitchen only in the morning to drink a cup of coffee, and in the evening to eat a vegetable salad, then you can stop at milder options. For such operation, material of class 23 and above, or moisture-resistant coating options, is suitable.
3. Pay more attention to the installation of laminate. Despite its apparent ease and simplicity, this process should be carried out by specialists. For the quality of the floor, its quality laying is very important, and for the kitchen flooring, it becomes of paramount importance. Inaccuracy or distortion in the assembly will lead to inadequate operation of the coating, and a decrease in its service life.
4. It is better to buy laminate in specialized stores or large building supermarkets, although there will be less choice in them. In such an important issue as covering the kitchen floor, you should not save money and purchase dubious products at incomprehensible points. Cooperation with stores is even more reliable - there is a guarantee of the completeness of the purchase and the conformity of the sold goods with the declared ones.
5. You can often hear the opinion that a light laminate is less suitable for a kitchen than a dark one. You can be sure that both will have to be removed. But if the whole family is trampling around in your kitchen, including a cat, a dog and a hamster, then, indeed, you can stop at a more restrained coloring. This does not mean at all that the deep color of ebony is the only one available to you in such a situation. There are tons of natural shades that will not make you arrange daily general cleaning. For example, alder, cedar, pine, teak.

Summing up our reflections, we can say that it is not only possible, but also necessary, to lay a laminate in the kitchen. The main thing is not to skimp on the purchase quality material. The extra water repellency will be just right for laminate flooring designed to brighten up your beautiful kitchen. It's very hard to go overboard here. The better and more stable the laminate you buy, the longer and better it will last in your kitchen.

One of the most popular coatings is currently considered laminated. But many are wondering: is it possible to put a laminate in the kitchen? Which laminate is better to choose for the kitchen so that it meets all the requirements for the surface of the kitchen floor and suits our design?

The kitchen is one of the most visited places in the house. Every housewife wants the kitchen to be comfortable and look beautiful. It is important to choose the design of the floor in kitchen area, taking into account all the features of this zone: high attendance, fluctuations in temperature and humidity in a wide range, the possibility of water getting on the floor, falling kitchen utensils are also most likely here.

For these reasons, there are many requirements for the floor surface:

• the most important requirement is moisture resistance;
• strength and wear resistance;
• easy care;
• design, color scheme matter.

Certainly. You should choose the right type and class of product, after carefully preparing the base.
For the kitchen, you should not use ordinary laminated boards. It is worth choosing a moisture-tolerant material - moisture-resistant or water-resistant laminate.

The moisture resistant panel has a basis - a dense and moisture resistant HDF plate (HDF).

The choice of laminate for the kitchen

1. Class of strength and wear resistance. Laminate strength classes have values: 31-34. For the floor of the kitchen and hallway, 32, 33 classes are recommended, the 33rd is better. With proper maintenance, it can last at least 20 years. Class 34 coating is more durable, but it is too expensive and is intended for use in very high traffic areas: offices, salons, etc. You should not pay extra money for using it in domestic premises.
2. Moisture resistance. The kitchen floor covering must be resistant to moisture. The product must be marked with either a tap with a drop of water or an umbrella.
3. Locks. Laminated boards are equipped with locks: Click (corner connection) or Lock (direct connection, non-separable). More practical is Click: if necessary, it is possible to make local repairs, i.e. selective replacement of slats. Products with Lock-locks are non-separable, more difficult to install.
4. manufacturer and quality. Do not buy low-cost, low-quality laminate from dubious manufacturers. It is better to wait, dig and choose a quality flooring.
5. Lamella thickness. The larger it is, the stronger the board, but also more expensive. In the kitchen or hallway, a coating with a thickness of 9-12 mm is suitable.
6. The level of formaldehyde emission. To ensure safety for health, we choose a material marked: E0 or E1.
7. Non-slip surface. To avoid injury on a smooth floor, choose not a glossy, smooth, but a rough, non-slip material in the kitchen.

Laminate in the kitchen: pros and cons

• ease and speed of laying;
• affordable price;
• high-quality material is not afraid of moisture, temperature fluctuations. It is easy to care for it, it can be washed often, it does not lose color and gloss;
• Laminate flooring is warmer than ceramic tiled flooring - it is comfortable to walk barefoot on laminate flooring. Additional heating is not required;
• there are no punchings from furniture;
• aesthetic appearance of the coating, a variety of design and a large range of colors.

Flaws:

• Moisture-resistant laminate does not withstand prolonged exposure to liquid. In the event of a water pipe break, especially with hot water, the material may be damaged.

Solution. Using a waterproof laminate will avoid this situation, since it is not at all afraid of water.

Advice: when liquid is spilled on the laminate, do not check the moisture resistance of the material, but wipe it off for a short time.

The sound of heels. The sound of footsteps is heard, especially in the presence of heels.

Solution. If a cork or polystyrene foam backing with sound absorption is used, there will be no such problem. The backing reduces the volume of footsteps and smooths out small errors in the foundation.

Scratches and chips. Durable laminate is resistant to damage, but in certain situations, scratches and chips can occur.

Solution. To eliminate small defects, use wax crayons matched to the color of the coating, painting over the damaged area.

Moisture-resistant and water-resistant laminate for the kitchen

These are two different covers. They have a completely different composition and their relationship to water is different.

Moisture resistant material It is based on a dense moisture-resistant HDF-plate. The protective surface layer, which has the property of moisture resistance, is able to keep water out, the locks are treated with wax-resin moisture-resistant mixtures.

Such material can be laid in the kitchen, it endures decent loads, withstands high humidity, has good sound insulation, and can be washed frequently. Note that the presence of liquid on the surface cannot be long or permanent. Many experts recommend class 33 moisture-resistant laminate for the kitchen floor.

Waterproof laminate has a completely different composition:

• its basis is a PVC plate, i.e. plastic that is indifferent to water;
• the bottom layer of the plate is moisture resistant;
• no chamfer, i.e. the joints are closer, they will not let water through;
• additional wax processing of locks.

This type of coating is also called: plastic laminate.

Waterproof laminate for the kitchen pros and cons

It can be used for the floor in the bath, sauna. Prolonged presence of water will not spoil it. Plastic laminate is also suitable for the kitchen.

Panels have many design options. A popular solution is the design of panels in the style of wood, under natural stone, under ceramic tiles, it is good to apply for floor decoration in kitchen.

Disadvantages of waterproof laminate

• high price;
• the low environmental friendliness of plastic is alarming. Household PVC in a calm state is not dangerous. But it becomes dangerous in the event of a fire, because. When burned, dioxins are released that are harmful to human health. Currently, PVC is widely used in everyday life, for the production of dishes, packaging material.

Laminate design options for the kitchen

Could be a bevel. Laminated panels can have a chamfer - a bevel along the edges of the board. When installing the panels, grooves are formed - they enhance the similarity of the material with a wooden floor.

Decoration in the style of wooden boards

The laminated coating imitates numerous types of wood: oak, pine, chestnut, wenge, etc. The most variations on the theme of oak boards are natural, bleached, smoky, aged,…

Wood-style laminated panels have a matte non-slip surface that looks austere and tasteful. If you like conciseness in the interior, this design option will fit perfectly into your kitchen.

If retro style is your taste, you should choose an aged wood look. Such panels have elements of "attrition", non-uniform color with the effect of faded paints.

Under tile or stone

Coating, with imitation tiles, natural stone - a good choice for interior design of the kitchen.

Can I put vinyl tiles in the kitchen

Recently, a novelty has appeared on sale - vinyl floor tiles, called: vinyl laminate. It is difficult to agree with this name, because. It's tile, not laminate. Its similarity with a laminated board:

• this is also a multi-layer floor covering;
• the version of the tile with locking joints is equipped with the same locks as on the lamellas (but there is a tile version without locks).

This is where the similarities ended.

Many people wonder if vinyl “laminate” is suitable for the kitchen, so we decided to talk a little about this increasingly popular coating.

Vinyl tiles are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Available in square or rectangular shape various sizes, in rolls of large sizes; there is a tile having the size of a laminate panel. It is characterized by a small thickness - from 3 to 6 mm, which allows the use of the material without reducing the height of the room.

Varieties and features

Vinyl tiles differ in the type of installation:

Tiles differ in strength classes :

• classes 23-31: the thinnest tiles, the strength is not high. The purpose of the tile is for low-traffic areas: a bedroom, a living room;
• grades 33-42: commercial option. Strength is high. The purpose of the tile is for floors in rooms with high traffic: offices, cafes, in apartments - kitchen, hallway, bathroom;
• class 44: the largest thickness, the highest strength, anti-slip. The tile is intended for use in gyms. Expensive.

It should be noted a large number various options decor and color solutions coatings. There are imitations natural materials: under a natural stone and breeds of a tree.

Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl flooring for the kitchen

Advantages:

Flaws

• rather high cost of the material. The price of tiles of good strength is from about 30 € per m 2, i.e. more expensive than a good laminate;
• the coating requires a prepared base, well leveled. As a basis, it can be cement strainer, waterproof plywood, OSB. Can't be stacked vinyl tiles on fiberboard, on cork floor, on old plank floor, on household linoleum, on laminate. The surface must be dry before installation;
• In the event of a fire, vinyl releases toxic fumes into the air.

Conclusion

To summarize our reasoning: in the kitchen, laying a laminate is not only possible, but also necessary. Most likely, you already know which laminate is better to choose for the kitchen.

Choose from moisture-resistant, water-resistant or vinyl flooring. It is important to consider the class of its strength. It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer and the cost of the material. From a huge bouquet of decor and colors, you should choose the ones that suit your kitchen interior and get your sympathy. And then you will have the best laminate for the kitchen.