recommendations re. work surfaces and flooring for kitchen

katejo

I am deciding between glossy/slightly textured laminate work surfaces and ceramic floor tiles/laminate flooring.

Have you discovered pros and cons AFTER having it done? I know that black glossy surfaces are hard to keep clean but does that apply to all glossy surfaces. I work full time and don't want to spend the whole weekend cleaning the kitchen surfaces/floor every week!


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ringley

We've got textured laminate, and it is more forgiving - marks don't show up on it really. Glossy ones can take a bit of buffing, and can scratch more easily too, although as I don't have that I can't be certain.

We also got matt tiles, for the same reason, plus they're not as slippery.

mandragora_2

If you can afford to splash out, corian is a great work surface for a kitchen. Ours has been in four years, still looks gorgeous and just takes a wipe over and it's done.

katejo

ringley wrote: »

We've got textured laminate, and it is more forgiving - marks don't show up on it really. Glossy ones can take a bit of buffing, and can scratch more easily too, although as I don't have that I can't be certain.

We also got matt tiles, for the same reason, plus they're not as slippery.

Thanks for that. What sort of colour did you go for (work surface and floor tiles)? Are they matching?

peachyprice

Given the choice again I wouldn't go for ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen. Yes, they look lovely and are very hardwearing but the number of plates, cups, serving dishes, jugs, knives etc I've broken on them, even from low heights, is outrageous!

I would go for a good quality aqua-loc laminate next time.

ringley

katejo wrote: »

Thanks for that. What sort of colour did you go for (work surface and floor tiles)? Are they matching?

Worktop is black with fine white speckles -this
Tiles are creamy beige (like these, so not a direct match, but with Beech units it all looks fine! (now that I've described it, it doesn't sound so good!)

katejo

ringley wrote: »

Worktop is black with fine white speckles -this
Tiles are creamy beige (like these, so not a direct match, but with Beech units it all looks fine! (now that I've described it, it doesn't sound so good!)

They look as though they would be good together and are similar to the ones which I have been considering. My units are likely to be oak.

jkpd

gloss laminate worktops scratch easiy, some worse than others, the only waterproof(moisture resistant is not waterproof) laminate floor you can buy has a plastic core and is about £50 pm2,which is about the same as a travertine floor.Ceramic floors are best as long as you arent mrs butterfingers!!
dark kitchen=light tops and darker floor light kitchen= dark tops and lighter floors.

keystone

katejo wrote: »

I am deciding between glossy/slightly textured laminate work surfaces and ceramic floor tiles/laminate flooring.

Have you discovered pros and cons AFTER having it done? I know that black glossy surfaces are hard to keep clean but does that apply to all glossy surfaces. I work full time and don't want to spend the whole weekend cleaning the kitchen surfaces/floor every week!

Glossy worktops show watermarks until it drives you scatty. Ceramic floor tiles for me or a good quality sheet vinyl. Vimyl planks (eg Amtico) is expensive and laminate is a no no for me in any area where there is water sloshing about.

Cheers

keystone

peachyprice wrote: »

Given the choice again I wouldn't go for ceramic floor tiles in the kitchen. Yes, they look lovely and are very hardwearing but the number of plates, cups, serving dishes, jugs, knives etc I've broken on them, even from low heights, is outrageous!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:and that, of course was TOTALLY the ceramic floor tiles fault.

Cheers

Leif

keystone wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:and that, of course was TOTALLY the ceramic floor tiles fault.

Cheers

Surely glasses would break if dropped on a wood floor? And pans would dent, and so would the floor.

I like ceramic/porcelain floor tiles, but vinyl is warmer, and easier to replace when it wears out or you tire of it.