I'm thinking of doing an 'alternative' kitchen flooring options video. Would that be of interest to people? I've currently got Linoleum, Cork and Rubber on the list. What else? p.s Thanks for watching! 😃
Resin and concrete overlays are a must. But it’s a tricky topic, you won’t get reliable info if you simply google this stuff. There are a lot of manufacturers and installers out there, hence the quality of resins and workmanship varies l. Feel free to reach out to me if you want to learn more. My company is Habitat Resin & Concrete, we specialise in high-end domestic and light commercial resin and concrete overlay installations.
Thanks for the video! Yes please on the alternatives video - especially if you've worked with them. We're still not totally decided about what flooring to choose (in a late 1950s, 4th floor flat) and have been considering Marmoleum/linoleum - my husband has even suggested simply painting the concrete base (which just sounds like it'd only last 6 months in a decent state). I've also wondered about cork - for warmth and acoustic reasons - but its ability to deal with water/spills is a real concern.
Another idea - one that I am having issues with. LED lighting a hob from a splash back - no wall cabinets local to it. My thoughts so far is an inverted "U' in wood with the LEDS simply shining down.. The depth and sizing of the U to be such that mostly the counter top is lit, not so much the splash back ... Another similar problem is lighting the sink - this time there is a long window rather than a splash back. It does have a roller blind. So possibly a pelmet with a similar U fitting.. long way up though.
Great comparisons. We are doing a different route - Linoleum tile in a harlequin pattern. Lineoleum is a natural product, soft underfoot, cost effective, durable, and low maintenance.
Think before you concrete floor... We have one in a finished basement. It can crack and even when polished and sealed it can stain. I like concrete flooring, but in a kitchen, I'd be cautious...
Good job Michael: we opted for ceramic tiles in our kitchen and they have stood the test of time (20+ years) but they are merciless if you drop any china 🙄and I live in fear of a burst pipe 🫣😂
Thank you Michael, you gave me a lot to think about & consider for my upcoming renovations. Obviously no one choice will be "perfect" as it is with so many things in life.
I am preparing to demolish my 5 yr old Luxury Vinyl Plank floor, which was installed through my entire house. Never again! It was "professionally" installed & at first, it looked & felt great. However, the flooring began to crack within months of moving in. I blamed it on heavy pressure from my 240 lb. husband's wheelchair, until it also happened near heavy pieces of furniture. Now it's spread all over, because our subfloor isnt level. I originally purchased this vinyl because it had a softer feel like linoleum & I was worried about falling incidents w/my husband. Being this is our retirement home, I wanted it to be safe - if you fall on cement, tile or slate, you're more likely to sustain a fracture. I have owned slate, tile & cement floors, and all were a nuisance to maintain. Plus, they crack if something heavy drops. Worse were the grout channels; drop a quart of milk in the kitchen & it will swim in those channels all the way to the front door! The best & easiest floor I ever owned was cement with 18" commercial vinyl tiles, similar to those used in diners & grocery stores. I'd have the wax stripped & replaced every 3 years, but other than that all it took was a damp mop. Plus the tile was color saturated, so a deep scratch didnt show. I know this isnt for everyone, but just saying...
We put cork in our old kitchen and I love it. It is warm on your feet and I did not get tired when standing during baking and cooking. Ease of clean up and beauty of product made me a believer. We installed it ourselves so it was not very difficult at all. Wish we would have been able to get the same color for our new kitchen but it was not available, so we did not replace the kitchen in our newly purchased home. Still love my old cork floor.
How do you care for cork flooring? Does it age well? Please share the name of the manufacturer and distributor. How often do you need to seal it? Thanks
Ideal? A burnished concrete slab for a 2 story passive/solar home. Minimum slab intrusions - most plumbing waste using P fittings through the eastern external wall. This means any plumbing faults will be easier/cheaper to fix. Electrical/communication cable runs in a chair rail - so that too does not run though the wall. The wall forms an air barrier so minimum intrusions where possible is good. The concrete slab is the main thermal mass, so an insulator to the outer surface would be good too. The colour would be a dark grey to absorb solar radiation. Reno on old vinyl? tile - glued to floor kitchen. Replace with same? OR go with a clip system floating.. not certain about the floating as to how the fridge sits on it on term.
I do not understand what you mean by the P trap configuration. But sounds interesting. About your final question/comment, I would go with laminate being 100% certain that is is completely plastic (PVC) not just coated. I have it in the bathroom and kitchen, I recommend 100%. Your sheet vinyl stretches, but laminate planks do not so don't glue it down. The whole thing moves with the temp. ever so slightly, but enough to ruin it. Don't get a cold grey color, because EVERYBODY did and it is very out of style. Or don't get something that looks like ultra fancy wood like cherry, it will emphasize the fact that it is fake plastic. Mine almost looks like reclaimed wood. Get something that looks a little rustic "unassuming" with some brown tones in it. It is so easy to clean, I put it over ceramic tile. NO trouble at all. Fridge, why would that be a problem? This is pretty tough material. Mine is not shiny and you can feel the grain a little, so no slipping problem like the tile was. It is cheap and you could install it yourself. BTW, I am a passive energy freak, but live in Florida, opposite your climate.
Excellent breakdown! I love all of these options, but hardwood particularly! You got my vote on an alternative options video. Love the sound of that. Live stream soon? 🛜
This is just the video I need right now as I'm agonising over what flooring to go for in my kitchen/hallway. Challenges are: small kitchen in one-bed flat leads me to conclude it's best to have the same flooring as the long hallway. Also it's a north-facing flat so not a great deal of direct sunlight, leading me to think that a strong vibrantly coloured/patterned floor might be best. Ideally don't want a cold floor, otherwise I'd've gone for porcelain tiles, leaving me with engineered wood (which contradicts above) and marmoleum, one material you didn't list. What do you think?
I think it also depends on the style of the property/look of the rest of the flat. I agree having the same flooring as the hallway will help with the perceived size of the small kitchen, that's a good trick. I guess will wood suit the property/the style you like more or will marmoleum tiles (patterned or otherwise)?
Difficult to answer@@kitchinsider. It's in a 1930s block of flats. They all come with a gorgeous oak parquet floor in the living room so wood certainly wouldn't be out of place but I'm worried about wood in kitchens, especially as the washing machine is in there
I've had linoleum flooring forever in my kitchens wherever I have lived. Th need to be replaced ever 12 years or so depending on the state of them. I find them aesthetically pleasing in a natural tile finish, many friends mistake it for real tiles. As you say they're warmer and gentler under foot and ease of maintenance is key for me. I don't want to do anything more than sweeping and mopping tokeep it looking good
I would love to have concrete floors with under floor heating, even though I live in the south. Winters can get rather chilly and my arthritis doesn't like the cold.
No mention of carpet 😂,or lino, an environmentally friendlier alternative to vinyl. You mentioned a few reasons why certain products may not be suitable in a humid environment. However, from a personal perspective, I would avoid all of those products in any room with a washing machine or dishwasher. After having lived in places with most of the materials you mentioned (and the two you didn't!) for me, it is Porcelain every time.
@kitchinsider If I had to rate them in descending order, it would probably be any room with a w.c, the kitchen, and then a bathroom without a w.c. Just don't get me started on companion sets of matching bathmat, toilet seat cover, and pee-catcher! Perhaps I should add the dolly with a crocheted skirt to cover a spare toilet roll to that list somewhere 😆
Vinyl plank is what I am planning for my kitchen (and whole apartment,except for bedrooms). They are the most popular options here. Durable,not too expensive,easy to install,good looks too.
You haven’t helped! New kitchen is being installed in 2 weeks and I still can’t decide between LVP or laminate. Both have 30 year guarantee, colours are perfect, but which one? I have a dog and steam clean my floor most days. Is it really down to tossing a coin?
