Which laminate to choose in the kitchen

17-05-2018

Laminate

Repair is inevitable and long. Realizing this, I want to make it as good as possible so that I do not have to redo it.

When it is necessary to change the flooring, in particular, the floor in the kitchen, a dilemma arises - which option to choose:

linoleum,
tile
floorboard,
or laminate.

The first option in recent years has somewhat lost in popularity. The tile is used a little more often, but the probability of breaking the cup is high, dropping it on the floor. Yes, and the tile itself can crack. The floorboard is more suitable for the hall or hallway. The last option is laminate. We will dwell on it in more detail, especially since if earlier the service life of a laminate did not exceed 2–3 years, then its modern types will guaranteed to last 5–10 years.

Consider the most important rules for choosing laminate for the kitchen.

Types of laminate

The first thing to consider before deciding which laminate to choose in the kitchen is the characteristics of the flooring chosen. After all, the kitchen is one of the most visited places in the apartment, and therefore the most vulnerable.

Laminate can be distinguished by design and class. Belonging to a particular class is determined by the thickness of the canvas. According to European standards, the main classification starts from 21 and ends with the highest - 33 class. Divide the laminate home and commercial use. The higher the class, the longer it will last. For the kitchen, it is recommended to take laminate with a class not lower than 23. Although now most prefer to buy 32 class. It is believed that it is designed for office space, where a large cross. But if it can withstand such heavy loads, it will serve even longer in a small dwelling. The width and length of the board can vary in a large range.

The design of the laminated board also influences the price. Laminate, imitating the usual wood, will cost less than the one for the pattern of which uses a complex technology of drawing a picture.

Laminate should be waterproof

Note! For the kitchen you need to take waterproof laminate. Constant washing of dishes, with the inevitable splashing of water, washing floors after cooking (especially if small assistants took part in the process) - a beautiful but non-moisture-resistant coating will not stand for long.

There are also external differences laminate: texture and natural coating. You can take the laminate, which is combined with tiles on the walls or mimics the leaves that fell directly to your kitchen, or choose the option "marbled". Laminate, made in a natural version, like a floorboard. Simulates the structure of a tree. While textural - the effect of three-dimensional pattern.

Preference given to natural shade

The choice is rich and limited only by imagination and financial opportunities.

Pluses of laminate in the kitchen

Of course, buying laminate, especially when you buy a good laminate, it is better to contact the experts so that they put it right. After all, if there are gaps - moisture will get into them and any, even super-expensive repairs will have to start all over again.

But one of the advantages of laminate is just the ease of installation. After watching a few video lessons or talking to a neighbor, you can do everything yourself. But you need to be very careful and not to rush in any case.

Laminate durability is its second positive indicator. Wear resistance is determined by 18 criteria, approved by the European Association of manufacturers of laminate flooring in the late 90s now in the past century. Laminate has good wear resistance to burning. If you accidentally drop a burning match or a cigarette, a quality product will not burn. For the kitchen, this is perhaps more relevant than for any other room in the house.

For hostesses, an important plus is that the laminate floor is easy to clean and stain resistant, provided that a product with a protective coating is chosen.

The boards are stacked so closely with each other that there is no gap left, allowing dirt to “hide” somewhere.

Care

Note! Wash the floor of the laminate can be with the usual detergents. But it is absolutely impossible to use abrasive cleaners. The rag should not be completely wet, but wet. Since even waterproof material eventually reaches the limit of its strength. And it is better, of course, to use specially designed for laminate products.

The floor is covered with laminate, retains heat. Even without a warm floor system. If in one room the laminate is laid, you can compare yourself. Step barefoot on laminate flooring, and then step into another room, where there is a different covering. Even family members who are still learning to walk can safely crawl through such a kitchen.

Cons of the laminate in the kitchen

In principle, they are not, except, perhaps, prices. If you take a good waterproof (and it is recommended to take it for the kitchen) laminate that meets all the above requirements, then it simply can not be cheap. But this choice will save the budget due to the fact that it will not have to be rebuilt in the coming years.

When choosing a laminate, you need to take into account one important point: there is a moisture-resistant and waterproof material. The first - to withstand moisture. But the spilled liquid must be wiped off immediately, otherwise, water entering the joints will ruin the floor. In general, experts recommend treating the seams with a special sealant. It can even be matched to the color of the laminate itself.

Castle stacking system

Some experts refer to the cons of voicing laminate when walking on it. But this is not a library, where it is impossible to make noise, but a kitchen in a living room, where it is supposed both the sound of water and loud conversations. Therefore, thinking about which laminate is better to choose, this factor is unlikely to be decisive when choosing the characteristics of the future floor.

It should be said that the flooring does not change as often as, for example, curtains, and you can’t move it like a tired closet. Therefore, choosing a laminate, do not pursue fashionable design trends - they are not hijacking. Try to choose something neutral that will be combined with the interior and not annoying visually.