laminate for kitchen

want2bmortgage3

just a quickie, well i've been looking at laminate flooring for my kitchen. the cheap end of the range says suitable for kitchens but not bathrooms or other wet areas.

my question is will i be ok with the cheaper laminate? or would it be worth paying the extra for the bathroom type laminate?

the cheaper laminate seems to be around £5 m2 where as its about £13 m2 for the waterproof stuff.

ukwoody

Following previously mentioned customer accident, I now have a real *personal* issue with putting laminate in kitchens - it's just too slippery. However, If you really want to go down that route, use the green bathroom grade. Whilst still not being really waterproof, it will survive the spills and splashes that happen in kitchens and should last many years longer. It will also allow you to wipe the floor over with a damp mop occaisoinally.

(Glad to have been of help over the worktop by the way:-) )

woody

want2bmortgage3

thanks again, i notice some laminate floors are textured.. does that help with grip? i only need 6.5m2 to cover my kitchen so it should still come in under £100 even with the better laminate. i may rent the place out so with the cheap stuff id be worried the tenants would ruin it in no time. i'm flooring the whole kitchen so replacing it after would mean removing all the kitchen units!

ukwoody

If its a concrete floor what about proper floor tiles? Last many years longer and virtually indestructible for only a fraction more in cost terms.

woody

want2bmortgage3

it is a concrete floor, with tiles i'm just worried about laying them. i'm not sure i could do it and get a good finish. also aren't they colder underfoot and anything dropped will break?

ukwoody

Yes and yes! :-) But they will out last anything else you cheaply put down.

I learnt to my own cost that dropping your missuses best vase on ceramic tiles is not the best way forward to bliss;-) That said they are washable, dont scratch, will live longer then the units, survive pets and kids. This being Easter independent tile shops would have small quantites and dirt cheap prices suitable for a kitchen of that size. Fixing costs for a pro should be £15 £20 per sq mtr so for lets say £160 you've got a floor that will survive anything you care to throw at it, and should you change the units ins 10 years, the floor can stay. You can always lay vinyl on top as well if wanted to later.

Just my tuppence worth ;-)

Woody

simcla

Why are you fitting the floor-covering under the units? If you are planning to rent it out why not just go round so that you dont have to get the kitchen refitted if you need to change the flooring?

PROFESSIONAL_LANDLORD

Cheap laminate is a total waste of money! only suitable for bedrooms, ceramic tiles is def; the best way to go, you could consider laminate tile, around £10 a m2, but you would have to glue all the joints to avoid water penetrating.

want2bmortgage3

i'm going to stick with laminate wood effect but i will buy the better quality stuff at around £12.99 sq m and use glue to make sure no water can get in

my kitchen doors are gloss white, so i'm thinking oak. i quite like the limed ash in homebase but it maybe a bit light.

leony

For laminate floors, go for the quality stuff, take a look at the following address, it could help.
http://www.floorell.co.uk/laminate-flooring.php

ajtrader100

Hi all, ukwoody your bang on, as always, get the really high density boards (normally green, but not always).

Make sure the manufacturer guarantees the products in kitchens.

Textured surfaces make very little difference to the slip resistancy of the floor, the only surface finish that may cause problems is a high gloss surface.

Textured tend to look nicer and more realistic. Use a glue if you want to be belt and braces, just put a thin slither down the tongue joint before clicking together and wipe off any excess that comes up out the join.

Also take a look at www.floorsonline.co.uk they have just about every single laminate supplier under the sun on there. You may be best to ring the company up for advice though.