What is better tile or laminate
When an old flooring wears out, you have to change it. Today, unfortunately, a universal material for the floor has not yet been invented, so when choosing between existing coatings, it is necessary to determine which of them is more expedient to use in a particular room. Consider the options for finishing the floor in the kitchen.
Today tile and laminate are in great demand. Both materials are popular because of their strength, durability and excellent performance. However, the fear of making a mistake when choosing a flooring due to the special conditions of kitchen use makes you think that tile or laminate is better?
Modern kitchen is at the same time a place for cooking and eating, which means that the flooring will have to exist in conditions of high maneuverability. In addition, during cooking, the temperature of the air in the room inevitably changes, steam accumulates, drops of water, chips and garbage fall onto the floor. For this reason, the kitchen belongs to rooms with high humidity and in addition is often exposed to pollution, which subsequently have to be cleaned.
It is desirable that the floor in the kitchen is always warm, otherwise there is a chance to catch a cold in the winter season. And the floor should not be too hard, so that a fallen glass does not turn into a scattering of fragments, but at the same time so that it does not swell from excess water and steam.
All these features and wishes are clearly required to take into account, as well as the advantages, disadvantages and performance characteristics of materials. Consider the extent to which laminate and tile match them.
If you choose a tile
The tile can be ceramic and on the basis of polyvinyl chloride. PVC tile in its properties similar to linoleum. It is easy to fit, resistant to temperature changes, available in a variety of colors. It is characterized by good sound insulation and water-repellent properties, does not swell and does not slip. By the way, combining several types of PVC tiles on the floor, you can realize the original author's idea, for example, create a unique pattern on the floor.
This tile is a budget version of the restoration of the floor in the kitchen, but as practice shows, it is not the most durable. If you use a low-quality material, it will quickly erase from a permanent stay in the kitchen of households and frequent washing of the floor.
Unlike its artificial "relative", ceramic tile is very resistant to abrasion. It retains its original appearance for many years, is not afraid of household chemicals and moisture, high temperatures. This is an environmentally friendly, natural material that does not accumulate and does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. It practically does not conduct electric current and does not burn, and besides, the range is represented by a rich color range.
The disadvantages of tile is the high price and complexity of installation.
Note! Ceramics is known for its heat-conducting properties, so it is good to use tiles for under-floor heating. But tile itself belongs to the class of cold materials. If you do not make a warm floor, then walking barefoot on it is not very pleasant.
If you choose laminate
A good option for the kitchen floor - laminate. First, because it is warm, as it consists of sawdust covered with paper. It imitates various types of wood, stone and carpet. High quality printing creates the impression of a natural coating, which is sometimes difficult to distinguish from the original.
Laminated boards on top are covered with a protective compound of alkyd resin, as a result of which the material becomes durable. Laminate is not afraid of mechanical damage, sunlight, chemical detergents. It is easy to care for him - just wipe with a damp sponge, and again he looks like new.
Note! The main disadvantage of the laminate is that it does not like moisture. If you spill water on the floor, and in the kitchen, you see, this is a common phenomenon, the boards will swell up and will rise up with a “fur coat”. For this reason, it is better to vacuum laminate than to wash with a rag and mop. Despite its strength, it is still inferior in durability to ceramic tiles, although the process of its installation is simpler and the cost is lower.
Laminate or tile - a moot point. The original design of the kitchen can be a combination of two floor coverings. In this case, it is better to close the working area with tiles, as it is more resistant to moisture and is easy to clean, and the dining room is laminated, since it is not so cold and does not slip. If you decide to tile the entire floor in the kitchen, you can lay a beautiful carpet on the floor where you usually have dinner.
Video
If you decide to install laminate in one room and tile in another, you will definitely find interesting information on how to close up the joint of laminate and tile: