Laminate or porcelain tiles for the kitchen. What is better in the kitchen - tiles or laminate? How to choose a good floor covering? Is it possible to combine the two materials?

Often, before starting a renovation, the question arises about what kind of floor there will be: laminate or tile in the kitchen.

Often, long disputes arise in families because of this issue, although you can make a decision on the choice of flooring in the kitchen, relying not on emotions, but on indisputable facts and personal experience professional builders.

Make a choice that will be based on the characteristics of the materials, their appearance and functionality of the flooring.

Choosing laminate and tiles for the kitchen, requirements

The kitchen is perhaps one of the most accessible places in the apartment. The floor covering of this room bears a heavy load.

In addition to the fact that this place has fairly high humidity levels, constant cooking processes create periodic temperature changes that have a negative impact on the kitchen flooring.

In this regard, the kitchen should use a high-quality coating that will withstand high humidity and temperature changes.

Laminate for the kitchen

As mentioned above, the coating in the kitchen, including near the sink and stove, must be extremely reliable.

Laminate is a popular type of flooring that comes in many varieties. Laminate flooring has its own classification from 21 to 33 classes. Each coating class has recommendations for use in a specific room.

Depending on the classification of the laminate, its thickness and protective layers on the panels change. For the kitchen, experts recommend using laminate classes 23 and 33, protected coatings that can withstand increased loads and are not subject to weather influences.

For additional protection from moisture, it is recommended that when installing a laminated coating, all its joints are treated with a sealant that fills the entire space between the panels, creating a good protective layer.

You can find out the purpose of a certain class of laminate from the table.

You should know that to maintain an excellent appearance and increase water-repellent properties, laminated panels are opened with a special wax, which is absorbed and creates an additional barrier to protect against water penetration.

Kitchen tiles

It's up to you to decide whether tiles or laminate are better for kitchen flooring.

But you should know that tile is a reliable ceramic material that has good reliability indicators, excellent water-repellent properties and high protection against temperature changes.

Before you decide whether tiles or laminate are better in the kitchen, you should remember that there are 3 types of floor tiles:

• porcelain stoneware;
• monocottura;
• clinker.

Porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile that has a porous structure. Porcelain tiles are known for their reliability indicators, but have rather limited color scheme(mostly natural colors, imitation stone and wood), tile sizes can vary from 30 x 30 cm to 1 x 1 m.

Clinker is a type of tile that has gone through several stages of firing and is a high-quality and reliable material. The main colors of the product are also located in the red-yellow spectrum. Product dimensions can be from 7 x 20 cm to 15 x 40 cm.

Monocottura is a less reliable tile than previous types, but has a more diverse range of colors, and is often chosen by owners when deciding the question: “What laminate is better or tiles in the kitchen?

You should know that porcelain stoneware and clinker have a rough, non-slip surface, which cannot be said about monocottura tiles, which have a wide range of colors but a slippery surface.

In this regard, when organizing tile flooring in wet rooms, they often combine different types tiles to avoid injury.

Comparison of laminate and tile characteristics, application variations

When choosing whether it is better to use laminate or tile in the kitchen, it is worth discussing their above characteristics.

The tile definitely has better water drainage capabilities, it is not subject to aging and does not react to temperature changes. Today, tiles can be chosen in almost any shade.

Laminate is not such a reliable material, and with constant contact with water, no matter what the degree of protection, the laminated panels will delaminate; this process always begins with the joints. The process of installing laminate flooring is not difficult; the main thing in this matter is the creation of an even rough floor on which the substrate is laid. To find out what is better to choose, watch this video:

Laying tiles on the kitchen floor is not an easy task. The rough coating under the tiles must be perfectly smooth, and the installation itself is carried out using an adhesive mixture with equal gaps between the tiles.

Combining tiles and laminate in the kitchen

Most often, tiles are laid in the food preparation area.

When choosing flooring in the kitchen, laminate or tile, there are always alternative options. In this case, it is a combination of different types of flooring.

On the side of the working part, the kitchen wall, where the dishwasher and food preparation area are located, you can install a tiled floor. In the rest of the territory kitchen space It's worth laying laminate flooring.

Joining between materials can be done in various ways. To organize a combined tile and laminate floor in the kitchen, there are several joining options:

• metal profile linings;
• plastic panel joints;
• cork expansion joints.

Metal and plastic profiles are the same type of connectors, with their help a good joint is organized, but the transition is not smooth due to the protruding upper profile trim.

A smooth transition between tiles and laminate (if they are located on the same level) can be organized using a cork compensator. Cork expansion joints are strips of different thicknesses (depending on the width of the joint), they are installed in the gap between the coverings and over time, expanding, occupy the entire space.

A kitchen with a well-organized joint appears to have a larger area and adds a “zest” to the overall design ensemble of the apartment as a whole.

You should know that the cork expansion joint is installed with adhesive sealant or “liquid nails” glue in the joints between the laminate and the tiles.

After installing the plug and the glue has hardened, it is necessary to cut the expansion joint level with the flooring, and carefully coat the surface of the insert with varnish. To learn how to combine these two materials, watch this video:

Having become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of flooring materials for the kitchen, each owner must make his own decision. It is very difficult to give a clear answer to the question: “Which is better tiles or laminate for a kitchen floor?”, since each coating has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Before making a final decision, it is advisable to weigh the pros and cons, as well as additionally consult with a specialist.

Many ordinary people, and experienced designers asking this question, which is better? But no one can give an exact answer, then the debate continues again, with renewed vigor. Let's try to understand this dilemma today, consider all the pros and cons of each material. But let's not forget about laminate flooring.

For an objective assessment, you should first clarify under what conditions the tiles or laminate will be used in the kitchen:

1. Constant humidity;
2. Mechanical influences;
3. Heat treatment;
4. Pollution.

Comparison of laminate and tiles

What is better tiles or laminate in the kitchen? The main criterion for the material used is the absence of hygroscopicity. Otherwise, you cannot avoid a swollen floor covering, which will have a completely negative impact on the family budget.

Moisture resistance

Ceramics have the advantage of having a low ability to absorb moisture. So she is not afraid of various troubles, including a flood. In turn, the laminate, although it is labeled as a moisture-resistant coating, will swell or swell with prolonged contact with moisture.

It is difficult to stain ceramics with anything; its glazed coating actively prevents this. Porcelain stoneware material can accumulate dust in its irregularities and become dirty, but all this can be easily removed with any cleaning products. Laminate seams are the weak link. It is not possible to remove fat or other substances that get into the joints.

Wear resistance

The durability of the tile will pleasantly surprise you. Without any maintenance, polishing or glazing, even after several decades the products will be exactly the same as the day they were installed. Laminate level 32 and above is not far behind its competitor. This material will last for decades.

Slippery

The problem is very relevant for homes where small children or elderly people live. For them, a fall can cause serious injury. When choosing any coating, this circumstance should be taken into account. For both laminate and tiles, surface sliding depends on the choice of material structure. Glossy coatings are very slippery, but imitation wood or porcelain stoneware is the opposite.

Elasticity

Having your favorite dishes fall on the floor is a tragedy. A flexible springy surface will eliminate the risk of such loss. Typically, the thickness of the laminate substrate allows not only to preserve the dishes, but also to remain scratch-free. A fall on the tile leaves no chance for the dishes.

The cost of the material plays a significant role in its selection. Tiles or laminate in the kitchen can compete as much as you like in terms of quality and properties, but the decisive argument still turns out to be price. When determining the price category based on market offers, the minimum threshold is cheapness. Here laminate is considered the undisputed leader. Tiles are much more expensive.

The parameter for evaluation is quite subjective, but still no one has canceled tactile sensations. Any type of ceramics will be very cold winter, hot in summer. Laminate has much worse thermal conductivity, due to this it is much warmer in cold weather, and much cooler in hot weather.

If you need to lay laminate flooring yourself, you will need to prepare the base in the form of a substrate of a certain thickness, fasten the elements together, leaving small seams. In principle, everything is very simple. Laying ceramics will take much more time, effort and knowledge. It is unlikely that you will be able to lay the tiles the first time.

Comparison results

If you need durable material with excellent water-repellent properties, then ceramics is just such an option. If you need a budget covering that will give you comfort, then laminate will come in handy. Perhaps also a combination of two materials or, alternatively, laminate under tiles.

Features of laminate flooring

Unlike standard products, laminate flooring for kitchen tiles has a number of qualities that belong only to it. How does he actually stand out among his fellows?

Externally, it is divided into two types:

• Under natural stone;
• Under the tiles.

Imitation is not limited to the image, it completely repeats the texture original material. Even the properties that one or another type has are completely consistent with the original. Laminate flooring for level 33 tiles is unlikely to be inferior in strength to ceramics or stone, and it will last for decades.

Strengths

Thanks to its advantages, tile laminate compares favorably with its counterparts:

Resistance to moisture is an order of magnitude higher than conventional laminate products. This is a very important, if not the main factor for use in the kitchen. You won't have to worry about the surface even if you spill something on it. It will not swell or get wet.

The external appearance of the product is very pleasing to the eye. Imitation of far from cheap marble, terracotta or granite tiles will leave a very pleasant impression.
The variety of material is very large. The question of choosing a product will never arise. Various models provide the opportunity for all kinds of design options from classic to high-tech in your kitchen.

The ease of maintenance of laminate under tiles is a joy for the housewife. It has an antistatic effect, which prevents dust from accumulating. Unpretentiousness in caring for the coating makes cleaning the room a pleasure.

Video - which is better to choose

Laminate flooring for the kitchen under tiles can be installed without much effort and does not require professional knowledge. The price, unlike the same tiles, is very affordable. The choice of material is very diverse, so you won’t have any problems with the selection. A strong and durable floor in the kitchen - it's that simple!

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There are many materials for floor finishing today. Depending on the purpose of the room, budget and taste of the customer, natural wood and stone, artificial tiles and linoleum of many varieties are used. Each of these materials has a set of characteristics, more positive than negative, that must be taken into account when choosing a floor covering. Therefore, the question “which is better, tiles or laminate in the kitchen” is quite reasonable.

There are several popular coatings for finishing kitchen floors, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Let's consider these types of floor finishing materials from the perspective of using them when tiling the floor of a kitchen, profile or combined with a dining room. Let's compare their advantages and disadvantages in order to apply them to a specific situation right choice in favor of a certain type of flooring.

In this group of materials, there are 3 subgroups suitable for finishing kitchen floors:

Hard tiles (in descending order of strength):

• natural stone (granite, marble, limestone);
• porcelain stoneware (gres);
• Mettlach tiles;
• clinker;
• ceramic floor tiles made of kaolin (tiles).

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tiles:

• single-layer (homogeneous);
• multilayer (heterogeneous).
• Laminate flooring.

Floor tiles are thicker and stronger than wall tiles

Natural stone

Floor tiles from natural stone has many advantages, which naturally affects its price and narrows the circle of consumers. This cladding is hard, wear-resistant, easy to routinely maintain and durable. Natural stone has a high density, which determines its high moisture and frost resistance. The natural material is also resistant to high temperatures and chemicals. The listed advantages allow you to confidently use natural stone tiles for finishing floors in kitchens and dining rooms, including heated floors.

Modern technologies for extracting and processing stone make it possible to create floor tiles from many natural minerals

But this cladding also has disadvantages:

• high price;
• complexity of cutting and processing;
• limited artistic performance;
• dropped dishes are doomed to be broken;
• radioactivity (for granite up to 30 μR/hour at a rate of 60 μR/hour).

The amount of radioactivity corresponds to the SNiP norm, but is not tolerated by people in the same way, so making the final decision on the choice of material better leave it to the customer.

Porcelain tiles

Gres floor tiles are produced by hot pressing a dry mixture of certain components, which also includes natural stone chips. As a result, the mixture is sintered into a dense material that is not inferior in physical characteristics to tiles made from natural materials. Accordingly, the characteristics of porcelain stoneware differ little from the properties of granite or marble, but there are still differences:

• relatively wide range of colors;
• more affordable price;
• 2-3 times lower radiation level.

Finishing a kitchen floor with gres tiles will last for many years, and if a system of “warm” floors is installed underneath, such cladding can be considered almost flawless.

Metlach

Metlakh tiles are small-format ceramics, which are produced by pressing a dry powder mixture of natural components with simultaneous high-temperature firing (sintering).

Metlah is water- and frost-resistant, does not react to the effects of chemical reagents, is environmentally friendly, has high strength and wear resistance, almost not inferior in these characteristics to porcelain stoneware, and is suitable for laying on underfloor heating systems.

Metlakh tiles perfectly resist abrasion

The variety of colors of this material, unlike natural stone and gres, will satisfy any taste, which is ideal for decorating kitchens and dining rooms.

The small format of this ceramic results in a high density of seams between tiles, which increases the coefficient of friction of the cladding and makes walking on the surface of even a wet kitchen floor safer.

Clinker

Clinker tiles have all the necessary qualities to be used as floor cladding in a kitchen or dining room. It is durable, wear-resistant, environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

Clinker tiles are made by single firing and have a high density

Unlike porcelain stoneware, clinker has a uniform porous structure, which facilitates processing of the material and makes the surface lined with it non-slip. But at the same time, if oil is spilled on clinker, it is impossible to completely remove it from the pores of the material. Therefore, for finishing the floors of kitchens and dining rooms, it is better to use clinker ceramics with a glazed but embossed surface to neutralize the slipperiness of the glaze.

The porosity of clinker makes it difficult to transfer heat, so laying these tiles over a floor heating system is not practical.

Floor tiles with kaolin base

Due to the wide range of prices, variety of varieties and artistic performance, this ceramic is the most common in floor finishing. Knowing all the requirements for the kitchen floor covering, and being guided by the characteristics markings on the tiles and packaging, you can choose a cladding that meets all the operating conditions of the room. However, the porosity of the clay tile base prevents heat transfer, so such ceramics are not rational for installation on a heated floor system.

PVC tiles

PVC flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride. Essentially, this is the same linoleum covering, but consisting of individual elements of a small format. PVC cladding is characterized by high strength and noise insulation characteristics, is resistant to wear and is relatively durable. The material is easy to work with and is available in a wide range of prices. Tiles made from it are elastic, waterproof, non-slip, and are easy to use for everyday maintenance and spot repairs. In addition, this flooring is available in a variety of colors, including those imitating coatings made from natural materials.

This material also has disadvantages:

• durability is limited to 10 years;
• relative environmental friendliness (made from synthetic and chemical raw materials);
• lack of resistance to solvents such as dichloroethane and acetone.

According to the structure of the material, PVC tiles are available in one- and two-layer, the thickness of the cladding varies from 0.5 to 3.5 mm.

Single layer PVC coating

PVC tiles homogeneous design has the same structure and color throughout the entire thickness, so even in places of abrasion, the color of the finish remains unchanged. Homogeneous PVC tiles have common characteristics for the family, but the artistic design is not diverse. The color of the material is monochromatic, or the cladding is decorated with simple ornaments, and therefore the popularity of this type of PVC tile is low.

Multilayer PVC tiles

This type of PVC cladding is made from high-strength vinyl, polyvinyl chloride and plasticizer additives. Heterogeneous tiles consist of the following layers (from bottom to top):

• basic (foamed polyvinyl chloride - sound-insulating, heat-conducting, rigid);
• art;
• protective (laminated).

Self-adhesive PVC materials have an additional sticky layer for fastening to the base.

Unlike homogeneous PVC cladding, multilayer tiles are available in a variety of colors and patterns to suit your needs. finishing material to any interior.

Based on the listed properties, the use of polyvinyl chloride flooring in the kitchen is quite justified, especially when the renovation budget is limited.

PVC tiles have good sound insulation due to their multilayer structure

Laminate (HDF board) is the common name for a four-layer floor covering produced on the basis of high-density fiberboard (fibreboard).

Laminate structure (layers from bottom to top):

• stabilizing – prevents board deformation;
• load-bearing – the main layer that carries the moisture-resistant, heat and sound insulating properties of the material;
• decorative - paper layer with a pattern;
• protective and decorative – coating made of acrylic resin, protecting against abrasive and impact influences, with a surface texture that imitates natural wood.

High-quality laminate flooring can be installed in the kitchen, as the coating is easy to clean

Strength of HDF board

According to strength characteristics, laminate is divided into 4 classes:

• 31 (AC 3) – for home use;
• 32 (AC 4) - for commercial use with low load and for home use - with increased load;
• 33 (AC 5-AC 6) – for commercial use with heavy loads;
• 34 – for industrial and sports use.

For kitchen floor cladding, it is better to use a slab of class 32 or higher.

Laminate is a worthy alternative to wooden floors

When laying a laminated coating, to ensure sound insulation and vapor protection, a substrate of one of the four manufactured varieties is laid under the slabs.

When placed on a laminate surface, heavy kitchen appliances(refrigerator, stove) it is necessary to install stands on the floor, which will distribute the weight of the units from their legs over a large area and prevent the destruction of the laminate locks.

Moisture resistance of laminate

Laminate is a wood-based material protected on top and bottom by a durable shell. However, on the sides (locks) the laminate is vulnerable to moisture, especially to water in open form. With the exception of short-term contact with water during cleaning, HDF must be dry; accidentally spilled liquid must be removed without delay.

Produced moisture-resistant types laminates suitable for finishing floors in rooms with high humidity (kitchen, bathroom, toilet), the packaging of which is marked with the phrases Aqua-Protect or Aqua Resist. However, even these types of HDF are not designed for prolonged contact with open water, especially hot water. To extend the time the coating is resistant to water, when installing in the kitchen, laminate locks are treated with a special sealant.

Conclusion

After reviewing the characteristics of laminated boards and tiles, we can draw a definite conclusion that these coatings have more advantages than disadvantages, and the use of any of them for finishing floors in the kitchen will be justified. If we strive for the ideal, then if there is sufficient space, it is advisable to consider the combined use of these materials, that is, dividing the floor into zones.

The food preparation area, as it is used more aggressively, should be finished with hard tiles made of natural or artificial materials. And the part of the kitchen that serves as a dining room will be more comfortable if, to finish its floors, you use materials similar in texture and properties to wood - PVC or HDF tiles.

With high-quality installation and interfacing of these types of cladding, the kitchen floor will make a worthy contribution to the interior of the room.

Very often when repair work need to choose which is better, tiles or laminate? When choosing a material for the kitchen floor, you need to decide what requirements the coating must meet. Each of the presented floor coverings has its pros and cons.

Choosing between tile or laminate can sometimes be difficult

Ceramic floor tiles

Floor tiles are durable, easy to maintain, have a rich range of colors, so they can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, hallway, living room, and balcony. It is ideal for office premises, shops and production areas. The tile reliably protects the surface from moisture, it is resistant to aggressive chemicals, frequent temperature changes and fumes. For those who care about environmental safety, you should choose ceramic tiles. This is a natural ecological product that does not accumulate any harmful substances. In the production of ceramic tiles, only natural, safe materials are used. natural materials.

The “warm floor” system will solve the problem of “coldness” of the tiles and will reassure those who consider this the main disadvantage of ceramic tiles

Floor tiles are low conductors electric current, inert and fire resistant. If a fire starts in the room, the ceramic coating will prevent the fire from spreading throughout the room. The tiles will not ignite, are practically not subject to destruction due to exposure high temperature. According to its characteristics, it resembles natural stone, therefore it is ideal for rooms with high humidity and frequent changes temperature conditions.

Well chosen ceramic tiles will highlight the advantages of the kitchen interior

The disadvantage of ceramic tiles is that they are a cold material. Of course, heated floors can solve this problem, but it is not always possible to turn on the heating just to warm the floor. Therefore, it is not recommended to lay tiles in the bedroom or children's room. The second drawback is the price. The cost of tiles depends on the manufacturer, size and texture. In addition, laying ceramic tiles will cost more than laying laminate flooring. But you need to remember that tile is a durable material, so you don’t have to save too much on such a coating.

Features of PVC tiles

PVC tiles are an analogue of linoleum. PVC tiles can be laid in the hallway or in the kitchen. It is easily transported, stronger than its rolled counterpart, has good sound insulation, does not swell, does not slip, and has a wide range of colors. Using several options for PVC tiles, you can create an original design. That's enough cheap option floor covering. Its disadvantage is that it is made of artificial material, but everyone decides for themselves what kind of material to use for installation.

PVC tiles also have many advantages and in some cases will be a better choice for the kitchen

Pros and cons of laminate

Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings. Its main advantages are its attractive appearance, affordable price, ease of installation and durability. The basis of the laminate board is fiberboard - fibreboard. It provides rigidity and strength of the material. A paper layer is firmly glued on top of it, imitating the texture of laid planks or parquet from various types of trees (maple, beech, cherry). In addition to wood, there are types of laminate that imitate the texture of stone (granite, marble), as well as tile or carpet. The quality of the printing layer is so high that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish natural wood from a laminated board.

Laminate flooring in the kitchen performs decorative and practical functions

A special protective layer of melamine or acrylate resin is applied to the laminate over the printed image. In quality brands, the surface layer of the laminate board contains corundum, which is known for its hardness. Thanks to this, the laminate is resistant to chemicals, stains, direct sunlight, and mechanical damage.

Laminate flooring is easy to maintain. When cleaning the room, you just need to wipe the floor from dust with a damp cloth. If a heavy, bulky object falls on the laminate, it will not leave dents or scratches. Laminate boards, unlike some other materials, are not afraid of traces from furniture, ladies' shoe heels, fallen cigarette butts and heating devices. Laminate – warm material, which is ideal for a children's room.

The weak point of any laminate is its edges. If technological requirements were violated during the production of the laminate, the edges may begin to crumble, which will lead to rapid wear of the floor covering. In order to protect yourself from purchasing defective laminate, choose material only from high-quality, well-known companies. It is best to pay attention to German, Norwegian or Austrian manufacturers. No matter how tightly the laminate boards fit together, it is still necessary to create moisture protection for the edges by treating them with a waterproof coating.

What is better to choose for the kitchen - tiles or laminate?

You need to choose based on your needs and budget. Laminate is a cheaper option, but less durable than ceramic tiles. Despite the fact that laminate is a waterproof material, the coating can be damaged due to flooding, i.e. if the water “stands” on the floor for a long time. Ceramic tiles are not afraid of water; not a trace of the flood will remain on its surface. This is why tiles are ideal for installation in the kitchen.

Light laminate flooring on the kitchen floor creates a pleasant homely atmosphere

What is suitable for the kitchen is a controversial issue. As mentioned above, ceramic tiles are a cold material. Agree, walking on a cold floor with bare feet is unpleasant. If you can turn on heated floors in winter, you can’t do this in summer or spring. But, at the same time, tiles in the kitchen have a number of advantages: they are not afraid of temperature changes, high humidity, hot and possibly greasy splashes that can fall on the floor during cooking. Floor tiles are easy to maintain, floors can be washed using chemicals. Ceramic tiles go well with the tiles on the kitchen backsplash and fit perfectly into the interior of the kitchen or dining room.

The tile is ideal for working area kitchen - it easily withstands various mechanical stress and is cleaned of dirt

If your kitchen is combined with a dining room or living room, you can safely lay ceramic tiles on the floor. The tiles will not suffer from frequent rearrangements of furniture and the constant walking of your household. And to protect your feet from the cold, you can decorate the living room area with a beautiful carpet or rug. And no one canceled slippers. When choosing tiles, make sure they are not too slippery. In addition, be sure to consult with specialists about hardness level parameters. Tiles can vary in wear resistance and resistance to mechanical and chemical influences.

What if you combine two types of coating? This option will be appreciated by lovers of compromises and unusual design solutions

The advantages of laminate for the kitchen are that it is installed much faster than tiles, and the installation work is much cleaner. The material is beautiful and durable. Therefore, decide what is best for your kitchen, tiles or laminate, based on your financial capabilities, kitchen design and personal preferences. You can also combine laminate with tiles on the floor in the kitchen. There is laminate in the dining and relaxation areas, and tiles are perfect for the work area.

The kitchen is undoubtedly the most frequently visited place in the apartment. A high degree of contamination, high humidity, as well as possible mechanical impacts from sharp and heavy objects place increased demands on the quality of the floor covering.

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Not so long ago, the only acceptable flooring option was linoleum. However, progress does not stand still and now many people use materials such as ceramic tiles and laminate to cover kitchen floors. These two varieties will be discussed.

What to prefer: tiles or laminate

In order not to make a mistake when choosing flooring for the kitchen, it is necessary to take into account the features of each of them. So, if you choose tiles for the floor, remember that:

• One of its advantages is high wear resistance and strength.
• At correct installation a waterproof coating is formed that will not allow a leaking faucet to ruin the repairs for the neighbors below.
• The tile is very easy to clean from dirt and does not absorb it.
• Thanks to the huge range of sizes and colors, you can lay out any pattern on the kitchen floor that suits your taste and the overall style of the room.
• Its disadvantages are: cold surface, often quite slippery; lack of sound insulation; If laid incorrectly, the tile may break if something is dropped on it.

If your choice is laminate, consider the following nuances:

• This is a very wear-resistant material, but you need to choose a coating with a strength class of 33 and higher - although such a laminate is more expensive, in a kitchen it will last much longer than cheap options.
• You can walk on a laminate floor with bare feet - it feels pleasant to the touch and is not cold.
• On modern market There is a huge variety of laminate colors available, the so-called “natural” colors are very popular: in the form of wooden plates, stone, brick, glass, leather, metal, soil, etc. Thanks to such a large selection, laminate will fit into any interior - from classic to high-tech.
• Among the disadvantages of laminate, the following can be noted: even the most quality laminate deteriorates from prolonged exposure to water (more than 6 hours).
• To remove contaminants, in some cases it is necessary to dismantle the elements.

Combined option

The most successful and practical solution when choosing flooring for the kitchen will be a combination of laminate and tiles. Using this combination, you can show the visual zoning of the kitchen space - tiles are usually laid workspace, and laminate - the dining area, and also make it easier to care for the flooring.

Methods for joining laminate and tiles

No threshold. There are several ways of such docking:

1. using a cork compensator. A strip of cork is glued at the junction of the coverings. The laminate along the edge must be treated with a moisture protection agent;
2. using a fugue (grout for joints) or putty. The seam between the coatings is laid with a slightly larger layer of putty or grout; it is advisable to cover it with a protective varnish on top;
3. using a liquid plug. Liquid cork is a mixture of cork chips and glue. It is very resistant to temperature changes and mechanical damage, so this method of connecting floor coverings is very reliable. As in the previous version, it is laid between the seam.

A joint hidden under the threshold. This joining method is simpler. There are several types of thresholds:

1. straight sill. It is used when the laminate and tiles are at the same height;
2. corner threshold. Necessary when joining materials that have a height difference of 5 mm or more, for a smoother transition;
3. bending threshold. It is used to connect coatings along a curved line.

Pros and cons

According to statistics, the most popular kitchen flooring is linoleum, laminate is in second place, and tiles are in third place. Let's spend comparative analysis all three coatings, consider all their pros and cons, and then we will draw conclusions about what is best to cover the floor in the kitchen.

So, first, let's talk about linoleum. What do we know about him? Linoleum is a fabric made from polyvinyl chloride. There are three types of linoleum:

1. domestic. Typically only used in residential premises, rather fragile, unstable to heavy loads and mechanical damage. At the same time, it is cheaper than other types, has a variety of colors, which makes it very popular in the flooring market;
2. semi-commercial. A more durable and, accordingly, more wear-resistant type of linoleum. It is used not only in residential, but also in office premises. Also very diverse in colors and textures;
3. commercial. The most durable of all. It is laid in production premises, in public places with a large flow of people.

However, it also has disadvantages:

• Some types of linoleum do not have a sufficient margin of safety - for example, when moving heavy pieces of furniture, you can easily leave scratches and dents on the coating;
• The quality of linoleum directly depends on its price - cheap varieties are subject to deformation due to temperature changes, as well as fading from exposure to sunlight;
• May swell when exposed to large amounts of water for a long time (for example, when a room is flooded).

Second on our list of popularity is laminate. It is known that it contains both synthetic and natural materials. A protective layer is applied on top of the laminate tiles. Depending on the strength of the coating, the following types of laminate are distinguished:

• laminate with strength class 21-23. It is placed in residential premises with low traffic;
• laminate with strength class 31-33. Possible installation in offices, industrial premises and public places;
• laminate with water-repellent function. It is placed in places with increased level humidity.

Advantages of laminate flooring:

• A huge selection of colors, including natural materials: wood, stone, etc.;
• Laminate panels have fasteners, so their installation is quite simple and does not require additional adhesive materials;
• Warm coating, pleasant to the touch.

Flaws:

• The service life of a laminate that does not have a moisture-resistant coating will be no more than 5 years;
• Doesn't like frequenting too much wet cleaning, moisture and dirt may seep into the grooves between the panels, which will lead to deformation of the coating;
• When moving on the laminate flooring of heavy furniture, scratches may occur, and it can also be damaged by dropping a sharp object;
• Laminate does not absorb sound, so moving on it is quite noisy.

If you compare linoleum and laminate in terms of cost, it will entirely depend on the quality of the chosen material. Therefore, they are in approximately equal positions.