Practical Choices for Kitchen Flooring
Gone are the days where the only choices for your kitchen flooring were tiles or lino. The 21st century has brought us a huge range of choices, so much so that it can be baffling. Some of the modern flooring options not only look great, but have many other advantages too. So spread your horizons from the traditional, and why not consider some of these flooring types?
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring has been popular in Asian for decades, but has only recently started to be an option in British flooring stores. Bamboo flooring looks like wood, and is manufactured in the same way. It’s quick and easy to lay, and can often just be clicked together without the need for nails and glue. Bamboo is also an environmentally-friendly choice as it’s a fast-growing grass in contrast to the slow-growing woods which are used to make traditional hardwood flooring. Bamboo is also very popular with allergy sufferers, as it’s easy to keep clean and there’s nowhere for dust mites to hide. In terms of price, bamboo flooring costs around £25 per square metre compared with solid wood which can be upwards of £65 per square metre.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is ideal for both bathrooms and kitchens. It’s naturally non slip, and has been used for years in leisure centres or other public spaces. Most rubber flooring available for home use comes in long rolls, or in tiles which are glued to the floor. A common style of rubber flooring has a pattern of raised dots, a bit like a Lego brick. Rubber comes in all colours, and is ideal as a way of adding a splash of colour in an otherwise monochrome bathroom or kitchen. It’s easy to fit and maintain, and feels warmer under your feet than wood or tiles. One of the drawbacks however is the price which is around £40 per square metre and more than many of the other kitchen flooring options.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl has really moved on from the days of brittle linoleum tiles in strange, swirled patterns. Modern vinyl comes in tiles, planks or sheets, and is one of the easiest types of flooring to lay. The other main advantage of vinyl is that there is a product to suit all budget. The very cheapest, self-adhesive tiles can cost as little as £8 per square metre. At the other end of the price range, expensive vinyl from brands like Karndean or Amtico can cost £70 per square metre, plus another £15 per square metre or so in fitting charges. If you’re thinking about vinyl, shop around to see what’s on the market before committing to one brand or style.
Cork Flooring
Cork is perhaps the warmest option for flooring in the kitchen, with a cushioned feel as you walk across it. It’s durable and bacteria resistant, and as the cork is sealed in the factory before fitting, it’s easy to look after too. The price will depend on the thickness of the flooring, but usually comes in at around £50 per square metre.
