Porcelain, vinyl and inserts are the most common options; see which one fits your lifestyle and décor best
The kitchen is one of the most frequented residential environments by residents and due to its modus operandi contact with water, smoke, grease and pieces of food that fall on the floor are part of everyday life.
Among the design choices it is essential to specify a floor aligned with the furniture and, at the same time, ensuring well-being and safety – a slip can lead to health problems for residents.
With the vast portfolio that companies offer to the market, residents may have questions: what is the right coating to apply in kitchens? According to architect Isabella Nalonin front of the office that bears his name, the environment is configured as a place that must respond to three main needs: beauty, practicality and functionality.
By analyzing these points, the decision will be more assertive. “The ideal floor must be easy to clean, durable and non-slippery🇧🇷 Looking at these characteristics, the other questions are related to the style, the customer’s taste and the design proposal”, he explains.
Floors most used in kitchens
Porcelain stoneware
At the top of the chart, they are great options for the room, both in terms of aesthetics and ease of cleaning. Thanks to the variety of sizes, even large formats, porcelain stoneware also favors the sensation of spaciousness and lightness, making it ideal for small apartments.
It is also versatile, as it manages to match decorative elements and because it does not have much shine.
“It is a very resistant type of cladding, with a great variety of shades and textures, and can also imitate other materials, such as wood, granite and marble,” completes Isabella.
pads
Tablets acquire value even when the proposal is to cover the kitchen floor. Versatile in furnishing, they are safe, resistant and made with different materials such as ceramic, glass and porcelain.
Composed of small pieces (5 x 5 cm, for example), the presence of grout – in a greater volume than porcelain or ceramic pieces – helps in the task of mitigating the risk of slips and falls.
“On the other hand, maintenance must be more careful, precisely because of the volume of the joints”, guides the architect.
vinyl floor
Laid directly onto the concrete, vinyl flooring is easy to lay, resistant, has good safety levels and a range of prints and colors which further enhance the decoration.
“However, its use implies a change of habit in the way Brazilians clean. No water in abundance and a broom to wash the floor! A cloth with neutral detergent is effective and solves very well”, warns Isabella.
The models that simulate the woody they are used a lot because they have a lower price per m² than the original wood and offer good value for the residents.
Thinking about aesthetics
The kitchen furniture also passes through the floor, as it must be in line with the style of the environment. The variants of porcelain stoneware with smooth finishes or that simulate the effects of marble are perfect when you want to create a floor that transmits elegancewhile those that recall wood give an extra touch rustic to the project. The use of small ceramics and tablets enhance the vintage and retro aspects of the furniture🇧🇷
As far as color goes, kitchens with darker floors tend to add ambiance. modern and sophisticated🇧🇷 As a counterpoint, the light-toned coverings convey the sensations of cleaning and organizing.
However, the choice also depends on the other elements and finishes of the kitchen and on the dimensions. “A dark floor isn’t the best fit for smaller spaces. In this case, lighter ones help make the room look bigger,” Isabella determines.
Service area
Nowadays, many cuisines are integrated into the service area, but not everyone cares about the look of the place. “I would say that, in the project, the care of the kitchen floor should be similar to that dedicated to laundry rooms”, analyzes the professional.
Being a wet area, it is necessary to select a suitable floor to avoid accidents, while maintaining the decorative proposal of the property. As in the kitchen, the floor must have low water absorption and be resistant to contact with liquids and chemicals. Therefore, ceramic, porcelain or tile pieces are the right decisions.
important tips
Even if the residents have already decided on the material and color of the floors for the kitchen, it is worth paying attention to a few points before applying. With daily food preparation, grease and grime are inevitable in this environment. So, white liners should be avoidedbecause in a short time they look dirty.
The architect also warns about the quality of the materials. “The resistance to impacts, to falling tools, to stains, uniformity in the size of the pieces and resistance to water stains that make the difference. Researching the origin and the reputation of the producer are indicators to take into account ”, he concludes.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
