The best things in life happen in our kitchens. Food, fun, and memories are made there, so making it into the hub of your dreams is an entirely reasonable goal. If you’re a DIY fanatic, your layout will be planned to the tee, including every finish. Flooring also needs to fit in with the theme. Floating floors are popular choices for remodels but are they suitable for kitchens?
Kitchens are high-traffic areas and have to contend with water, heat, steam, and heavy appliances, which affect the floor’s longevity. Floating floors can be installed in kitchens using materials specially designed for this area. These snap-together surfaces are easy to install and affordable.
Floating floors are available in various materials, such as cork, engineered hardwood, vinyl, and many others. Floating floors are simple to install with the tongue-and-groove design with the pieces simply clicking into place. Because the weight of appliances, particularly refrigerators, can stress or damage tongue-and-groove fasteners, choose a kitchen-specific snap-together floor.
Are Floating Floors Good In Kitchens?
You can easily brighten up your kitchen by installing floating floors. There are endless varieties of styles and materials to choose from, but before you decide on the type of floor for your space, let’s do some homework on floating floors.
The word “floating floor” does not refer to a specific type of flooring but a method of installation that can be used with laminates, engineered hardwood, and luxury vinyl flooring. Individual planks (or sometimes tiles) are edge-to-edge interlocked to form a mat-like surface that lays on the underlayment.
Many kitchens boast stunning floating floors, but you should keep a few factors in mind when deciding to use this type of flooring in the heart of your home. Kitchen floors are exposed to more spills, stains, traffic, heat, and scratches or dents from moving heavy appliances or furniture. So it is wise to choose a material with the strongest defense against these threats to your flooring.
Types Of Floating Floors Used In The Kitchen
Laminate flooring is an excellent example of a floating floor because it is seldom glued to the subfloor. The floating method allows the planks to expand and contract without buckling when the humidity of the kitchen changes.
Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF), also known as vinyl plank flooring, snaps together board-to-board, similar to laminate planks. The boards are constructed with tiny tongues and grooves that allow them to lock together. Some LVF planks are semi-flexible, while others are very rigid. These boards work well in kitchens. However, some varieties sometimes need to be glued to the subfloor.
Some engineered hardwood flooring can be installed as floating floors in the kitchen. Like laminate floors, these brands have a decorative top layer glued over their plywood cores.
The Advantages Of Floating Floors In The Kitchen
Old-fashioned flooring was often expensive and labor-intensive, but modern designers have created more DIY- and pocket-friendly options such as floating floors.
Floating Floors Are Less Expensive Options For The Kitchen
The price of floating floors varies according to the material used and the quality thereof. Still, because they are quicker and easier to install, professionals charge much less to install them than floors that need to be glued or nailed to the subfloor.
A DIY installation will save you even more money on labor costs, and it is simple enough for most homeowners to do and great for those on a tight budget.
Easy Maintenance And Repair Of Floating Floors In Kitchens
The way we maintain floating floors depends on the materials they are made from. Cleaning laminate and luxury vinyl, for example, is usually as simple as sweeping and damp-mopping. Still, one should avoid water with engineered hardwood. Kitchens fall victim to many spills and messes, but floating floors are simple to maintain if one cleans them up quickly.
Damaged planks are easier to replace on floating floors than on glue-down or nail-down flooring because you can disassemble the section of the damaged floor and reassemble it with new ones.
Floating Floors In The Kitchen Are Aesthetically Pleasing
Laminate and vinyl floating floors are available in a diverse range of patterns and colors. Some styles are modern, while others look identical to rustic, antique wooden planks. Many are designed with an authentic appearance of hardwood, stone, or metal. With the endless options available, it is easy to find a suitable floating floor match for the style you want for your kitchen.
Floating Floors Have Fewer Defects Than Other Floor Types
Laminate and vinyl flooring are designed to emulate natural materials. Although they are generally good look-alikes, designers eliminate the defects such as inconsistent patterns and colors found in hardwood and stone. Your kitchen floor will have an even, consistent, and pleasing appearance.
Disadvantages Of Floating Floors In The Kitchen
Nothing in life is perfect, and this also applies to decorative finishes in our homes. Floating floors also have their downsides.
Floating Floors Can Warp Or Get Damaged In The Kitchen
The flexibility and spring in floating floors can make them deteriorate faster. In a kitchen, moisture levels fluctuate, and temperatures change quickly and cause floating floors to warp or mold if not well maintained. Floating floors need a moisture barrier underlayment to protect them from humidity damage. Once damaged, the floors cannot be sanded. You will have to replace the planks.
Floating Floors Are Not Very Environmentally Friendly
Floating floors, such as laminate and vinyl floors, are not biodegradable and are almost impossible to recycle. If you are eco-conscious, this may be a deal-breaker for you.
When To Install Floating Floors In The Kitchen
If you’re starting your kitchen remodel from scratch, you may wonder whether you should finish the floor before installing large appliances. Fridges, stoves, and other heavy appliances should be shifted into place first to prevent dents and scratches. You should then assemble the floor and then keep it in place with molding that fits around the base of the cabinets.
Conclusion
You can install floating floors in your dream kitchen as you develop it into the heart of your home. It is quick and easy to install, with the added advantage of not being expensive. If you choose the best materials within your budget and ensure that messes and spills are cleaned up quickly, a floating floor in your kitchen will enhance the aesthetics of your home.
References
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/install-floating-flooring-kitchens-39758.html
- https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-a-floating-floor-1821740
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21188049/installing-flooring-or-cabinets-first-kitchen-renovation
- https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/the-pros-and-cons-of-installing-laminate-in-your-kitchen/
- https://www.houzz.com.au/discussions/5292514/what-do-you-think-of-floating-boards-in-a-kitchen
- https://www.networx.com/article/floating-floor-pros-cons