kitchen flooring

sitomo

Hi all,

We are having a new kitchen fitted and need to decide on what flooring to put down. Area of about 18m squared. probably slightly less as I dont think it will go under the units.

We had a quote from Howdens for engineered real wood oak flooring of 588.
Went into Howdens to have a look yesterday and the guy in there said it was not worth buying the engineered stuff and we might as well buy the solid oak flooring (SDH 3001) instead for only about an extra 7 pounds a square metre. He said it would be fine in the kitchen.

My question is:
1. Is it ok to have solid wood flooring in the kitchen? I thought that engineered solid wood stuff was better for kitchens?

2. Is it worth paying the extra for solid oak flooring or is the guy in Howdens just trying to make some more money out of us?

Thanks

sitomo

Any thoughts?

madget_2

I personally wouldn't go for wood flooring in the kitchen - I'm clumsy and I'd also be afraid of water damage if anything leaked. We've chosen Karndean wood effect flooring instead, and it really does look stunning (ours isn't down yet, but I've seen it in-situ elsewhere).

LandyAndy

I agree about not having wood in a kitchen. Too much scope for hot liquids or objects to be dropped and various chemicals to be spilt.

Charleys_Cat

Hi I work for a flooring Company and have done for the last 20 years, I wouldn't put wood or laminate in kitchens as we dont reccomend it due to spillages or moisture, I know everyone says they are careful etc but all it needs is a small leak from a machine and is has ruined your floor.

We reccomend either Karndean, Amtico or Project Floors the later being very similar to karndean but a little cheaper, nice designs and made really well I think it is a german company but you should ask your local independent retailer if they have any samples I think it looks amazing and the design possibilities are endless.

With all the above the manufacturers will send you catalogues free of charge if you want them too - hope this helps.

latecomer

If the floor is sealed then a small leak shouldn't have any effect, just like having wooden windows. obviously dropping things will have an effect but there isn't much you can do about that.

I'm not surpised the suppliers are recommending Amtico etc.....at about 3 times the cost of most solid/engineered wood I'm sure there is a very nice profit for them.

DirectDebacle

sitomo wrote: »

Hi all,

We are having a new kitchen fitted and need to decide on what flooring to put down. Area of about 18m squared. probably slightly less as I dont think it will go under the units.

Exactly how big is this kitchen?

Is it 18 sq. m. or

18m squared = 324 sq. m. = floor area of a house:D

Is the existing floor concrete or suspended timber. If the former, personally I would go for ceramic/porcelain/grantite tiles. Quarry tiles are a good option. Huge range of sizes, designs and colours. Impervious to most spillages, hard wearing, easy maintenance and correctly laid will last a lifetime. Prices range from cheap to v. expensive.

If the latter then if you want wood then either sand and refinish the existing boards with stain and sealing coat or paint them with good quality floor paint, if they are good enough. Or replace with boards of your choice fixed to the existing joists. If the floors are chipboard these are not generally a good sub strata material in a kitchen for covering with another surface. Marine ply or modern cement/fibre boards are better for damp,humidity and spillage resistance. Lay laminate/engineered on this type of base.

There is a vast choice out there. Your only limits to choice are imagination and budget.

jack_spratt_2

Charleys_Cat wrote: »

Hi I work for a flooring Company and have done for the last 20 years, I wouldn't put wood or laminate in kitchens as we dont reccomend it due to spillages or moisture, I know everyone says they are careful etc but all it needs is a small leak from a machine and is has ruined your floor.

We reccomend either Karndean, Amtico or Project Floors the later being very similar to karndean but a little cheaper, nice designs and made really well I think it is a german company but you should ask your local independent retailer if they have any samples I think it looks amazing and the design possibilities are endless.

With all the above the manufacturers will send you catalogues free of charge if you want them too - hope this helps.

Another vote for Amtico or Kardean here !! It is absolutely brilliant stuff ! very tough and not cold like stone floor tiles can be .
It is not cheap but will last a very long while!! also make sure it is laid by a person who is used to fitting it and is an approved fitter !! how it is fitted makes all the difference

cally1_2

I have Amtico and I am very pleased with it in my kitchen. Warm underfoot and seems to be withstanding the rough and tumble of family life pretty well.