A Guide to Interior Design

When planning kitchen renovations, one of the most important factors to consider is the flooring material. Solid wood floors can be damaged by moisture, so even if you love the warm, grainy wood look, you may hesitate to use them. As a result, you might want to consider installing faux wood alternatives such as vinyl or laminate. Here are some suggestions to help you pick the best solution for your kitchen.

Timber Feeling

If you like the sensation of wood planks as you walk, laminate is a better option than vinyl. Laminate planks are made of an inner board of HDF (high-density fibreboard), for example, and a print layer with a wood picture. A plastic coating then covers the boards. These planks feel pretty substantial because the inner core consists of a wood product. On the other hand, vinyl planks have a vinyl core with an imprinted photograph vinyl layer, which is finished with a wear coating. They're more spongy to walk on than laminate or wood. So, if you want a wood-like feeling underfoot, you might choose laminate rather than vinyl.

Endures Water

Kitchens are likely to encounter spills at various times. So, the floor must be able to tolerate dampness. While both laminate and vinyl are water-resistant, vinyl is more impervious since it's composed of plastic. Laminate flooring is water-resistant rather than waterproof, which means it can withstand limited exposure. For example, you shouldn't leave a puddle of water on the floor for an extended period, as it can seep between the boards, causing them to swell and buckle. Spills should be cleaned promptly. Laminate is suitable for kitchens if handled with care. Overall, vinyl is more impenetrable to water than laminate.

Installation

Both flooring alternatives are pretty simple to set up in terms of installation. Like natural wood, laminate boards can be bonded or fastened to the subfloor. Laminate can also be installed as a floating floor, meaning the planks click together and sit on top of the base. This minimises the amount of work required and speeds up the installation process. Vinyl planks are usually bonded to completely smooth and straight flooring. Certain types can be fitted together without the need for adhesive. The boards' outside edges must be secured on these floors. Thus, both vinyl and laminate planks are relatively straightforward to install in a kitchen. Both exhibit a photograph of timber to create a warm aesthetic in the room with less hassle than installing solid timber.