The best kitchen flooring: porcelain, laminate, vinyl, and more

If you are getting ready to remodel a kitchen, you need to pay special attention to the type of flooring that best suits the tastes and needs of your clients. This is a key to the overall success of the renovation. In this article, we are going to detail the best kitchen flooring options, including the benefits of laying a porcelain floor, one of the most durable and resistant options if you are after a timeless and stylish kitchen. Discover the different types of kitchen flooring. Now you can plan your kitchen in 3D. 

1. Laminate kitchen flooring

One of the most commonly used kitchen flooring options. Laminate floors are very resistant, both to the test of time and to stains.

If you go for this type of flooring, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of finishes, slate, wood, and even marble.

Laminate kitchen flooring requires almost no maintenance, these floors are resistant to humidity and can be laid directly on top of an existing surface. Unlike natural wood floors, you cannot sand them down to get rid of any scratches and in some cases, lesser quality laminate flooring cannot be used with underfloor heating.

2. Vinyl flooring

Just like laminate flooring, vinyl kitchen flooring can also mimic different surfaces such as wood, stone, cement, or metal, it is very water resistant and can bit laid over an existing floor. 

This type of flooring is essentially a digital image printed on to a vinyl surface, meaning that the texture is very realistic though it can scratch easily and excessive sun exposure can lead to its original design being damaged. Unlike laminate kitchen flooring, vinyl flooring can be used with underfloor heating.

3. Porcelain stoneware kitchen flooring

This is one of the most hygienic, resistant, and scratch proof options out there, there is little to no maintenance with this type of kitchen flooring. Thanks to the latest advances in technology, ceramic tiles have evolved and now come in a wide range of finishes and textures, meaning that the possibilities are practically infinite.

If you like large format designs with minimal joints, to give a sense of continuity to your home, this is the flooring for you. Porcelain stoneware is generally made to order, cut with flush edges to give your kitchen a more stylish and contemporary look.

While this flooring does not necessarily make a space feel warmer, there is always the option of installing underfloor heating beneath the porcelain stoneware.

4. Porcelain tile flooring: ultracompact

Dekton ultra-compact porcelain flooring is one of the best kitchen flooring solutions around, it is made from a sophisticated combination of raw materials used to make the latest glass, quartz, and porcelain surfaces, and it is highly scratch, stain, UV ray, fire, and heat resistant, among its other properties. 

It is ideal for kitchens, because if you opt for an ultra-compact floor you can choose from a wide range of large format designs, up to 320 x 144 cm, with an array of finishes and colours to choose from so that you can find the one that matches your taste and style.

You can also use the same material for your worktop, splashback, and cladding for a pristine and modern look.

5. Microcement flooring, the latest trend in kitchen flooring

An undeniable star. Microcement kitchen flooring has become a big player in contemporary, nordic, and industrial style kitchen flooring, and it is the ideal choice for these kitchens. 

The flooring can be laid over any type of solid base: rendered floors, cement mortar, marble, terrazo, plaster, plasterboard, etc. It is a highly resistant solution and absorbs daytime heat to then release it later on. 

If you select this option, it is important to know that while grey is the most commonly used colour there are other more diverse colours with matt, gloss, or shiny finishes available. 

It is easy to clean and works perfectly with underfloor heating.

6. Linoleum kitchen flooring

If you are looking for an ecological flooring solution, linoleum is your best bet. Made from easily accessible natural and biodegradable materials, resistant to water and stains, linoleum kitchen floors are also noted for their antibacterial and fire resistant properties. This type of kitchen flooring is also very easy to clean and maintain.

Mostly made from linseed oil, powdered cork, wood flour, and resin, with added acrylic varnishes, which are also ecological, this material has a lifespan of around 15 to 30 years, depending on its thickness and quality.

It is perfect for people who suffer from allergies, it retains heat and can be laid over any existing surface, it is compatible with underfloor heating and is a very versatile choice for your kitchen floor.

7. Epoxy Resin Flooring

This type of flooring is increasingly popular in kitchens, it can be laid directly onto the original floor, it is warm, water resistant, durable and easy to clean, all it requires is some warm water and soap. It is also a hypoallergenic option and is available in any RAL standard colour in a wide range of different designs.

However, be sure to take care if you do go for epoxy resin flooring, as it can scratch rather easily.

8. Ceramic tiles for kitchen flooring

Enamel, clay and ceramic tiles are available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colours and finishes, and there are even those that mimic other materials, such as wood. 

Choose the faux wood or stone style if you want to give your kitchen a more natural look. If you want some original tiling ideas for your kitchen floor, you’ll find plenty of models with some surprising textures and features in several different formats. For period or retro spaces we suggest using recovered traditional options, such as cement tiles.

A cheaper but less resistant option could be porcelain tiles, but these need to be laid on a smooth and solid surface.