You finally decided to make repairs in the kitchen and do not know what material is best for the floor - tile or laminate ? To determine the floor covering for the kitchen, you first need to know what requirements you have for each of the materials. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages.
Since the kitchen is the place where members of the whole family spend a lot of time, it means that the flooring here should be beautiful, resistant to abrasion, contamination and evaporation, and also it is good to carry frequent cleaning.
What is better for the kitchen - tile or laminate?
Tiles have a number of advantages, such as absolute moisture resistance, resistance to evaporation and exposure to aggressive chemicals, impact resistance (with proper packing), durability and unpretentious care. It weakly conducts an electric current, is fireproof.
In this case, one can not fail to note its shortcomings. Floor tiles are a cold material, and this problem is not always convenient to solve with the help of floor heating. In intertitic joints, harmful bacteria can multiply, which is unsafe for health. It is worth the tile is not cheap, and its installation will cost more than laying the laminate. It is not easy to replace and dismantle this material. At the same time, we must remember that the tile is durable, and therefore, it is not worth saving on it.
Laminate is one of the most popular floor coverings. Its advantages include attractive appearance, ease of installation, affordable price and durability. It is easier for him to care for than for the tile, and he is also more wear-resistant than linoleum. Laminate is harmless, does not cause allergic reactions, because it is based on natural material (DVP). A high-quality polygraphic picture is imprinted on top of the fiberboard imitating the texture of wood, stone, carpet or tile. A protective layer of acrylate or melamine resin is deposited on top. In qualitative grades of laminate this layer contains corundum, due to what the floor covering becomes immune to direct sunlight and chemicals, mechanical damage.
The weak spot of the laminate is its edges. If the process is disrupted in production, they may crumble, which entails rapid wear of the floor covering. However, the main disadvantage of the laminate is its reaction to contact with water.
Tiled laminate for kitchen
Based on the above, there may be an opinion that laminate in the kitchen - not the best option. However, there is a kind of laminate, devoid of the above flaws, and literally created for the kitchen - this is a tiled laminate.
Such a laminate imitates a stone or ceramic tile not only with a pattern, but also with its texture. The dimensions are non-standard, for example 400 mm × 400 - 1200 mm.
The main advantages of a laminate for tiles:
- Moisture resistance . Laying a laminate under the tile in the kitchen, you can not be afraid that due to accidentally spilled water it will get wet or swollen.
- External appeal . Often such a laminate imitates expensive floor tiles-granite, marble or terracotta, which significantly changes the design of the kitchen.
- Unpretentious servicing . Tiled laminate is easy to clean, many models are manufactured with antistatic effect and do not accumulate dust.
Laminate under the tile will be the best solution for the kitchen. And although the price for it is slightly higher than the usual, the result is worth it.
Laminate flooring + tiles
Sometimes in the kitchen you can find a combination of floor tiles in the work area and a laminate in the dining room. Tile in this case should be in harmony with the laminate and have a rough texture. However, it should be remembered that the combined floor is not suitable for a very small kitchen, as it can visually reduce space.
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