Laminate flooring has become one of the best and most demanded flooring options, both for renovations and for new construction.
One of the main reasons is that there are several aesthetic possibilities for this type of flooring, with designs in natural or stained wood, and in imitation concrete and hydraulic paving.
Another reason for the growing popularity of laminate flooring is its versatility: today we find it throughout the house, even in the bathroom or kitchen, creating a homogeneous space and allowing us to obtain a wood effect throughout the house.
But is it a good option to use this type of flooring in rooms where humidity is more prevalent?
Water-resistant laminate flooring: characteristics
Traditionally, it was not recommended to install wooden floors in kitchens or bathrooms. However, the technical characteristics of laminate flooring have recently improved and evolved a lot. One of these evolutions has been the water-resistant laminate flooring.
Water-resistant laminate floors have a surface layer with a special water-repellent treatment that allows them to resist water and humidity.
This type of flooring, with a thickness of between 8 and 12 mm, stands out for its durability and, in most cases, offers protection for up to 24 hours in the event of standing water.
In addition, they are resistant to dirt, scratches, knocks, and spills of all kinds of liquids (water, milk, wine, oil, soft drinks, etc.).
Because of these characteristics, laminate flooring is a good choice for the kitchen, a space where it is common for food to accidentally fall or splash on the floor, soiling the surface.
Advantages of water-resistant laminate flooring in kitchens
Durable and hygienic
Water-resistant laminate flooring is defined by being durable and very easy to clean. This is especially useful in the kitchen, one of the busiest living spaces, which is prone to staining and requires daily cleaning.
With basic maintenance, laminate floors remain in perfect condition for a long time, even in conditions of higher humidity.
In the case of the kitchen, it is advisable to choose a type of laminate that, besides matching our aesthetic tastes, is of high quality and has adequate technical characteristics.
Cleaning water-resistant laminate flooring is simple: just sweep or vacuum it thoroughly to remove dust and surface dirt, then wipe with a wrung-out mop or damp cloth. In all cases, it is recommended to use a neutral detergent for wooden floors, as this product is less aggressive with the materials.
Even so, and to prevent moisture from damaging the kitchen laminate, we must clean the surface so that no liquids remain on the floor and ventilate the room frequently.
Easy to install
Laminate flooring is quick to install, which gives it some advantages over other options. In fact, their installation is not complicated. Sometimes, we can even lay laminate flooring over a previous floor as long as some conditions are met, for example, that the surface is perfectly even.
In the case of water-resistant laminate flooring for kitchens is no exception in this regard. In addition, laminate flooring can often be laid with the kitchen furniture already in place, which can be an advantage and a time saver.
Aesthetics
One of the reasons for the growing popularity of laminate flooring is its aesthetic possibilities, which are virtually endless. In fact, this type of flooring is available in all kinds of colors, textures and finishes, so the choice will depend on your tastes and the style of your kitchen. You can opt for a water-resistant laminate floor with more or less glossy finishes for more classic kitchens, for lighter tones for a Nordic or minimalist style, or for a darker laminate floor if your kitchen is industrial or rustic in style.
Laminate flooring for kitchens: our suggestions
L’Antic Colonial’s laminate floors give greater authenticity and warmth to living spaces.
One of our must-haves for the kitchen is the Natural collection, which reproduces the grains and chromatic twists of natural wood lightly brushed in different shades:
For example, AC6 NATURAL 1L MYSTIC, in gray, fits perfectly in kitchens where we want to imprint a metallic or minimalist touch; while AC6 NATURAL 1L GRANDE is perfect for a vintage style thanks to its slightly more pronounced grain.
Finally, in open kitchens, we normally want to print the same aesthetic line between different rooms such as the living room or dining room. Therefore, we can opt for the Hall collection, which is more neutral and ideal to provide homogeneity and warmth.
The versatility, quality and easy installation of our laminate floors have made them one of our reference products. Check our catalog and read our blog articles to find the inspiration you are looking for.