What is the best flooring for a kitchen? I'd like laminate but am worried about potential water damage.?

Question

I have seen so many conflicting opinions on the internet about putting a laminate floor down in the kitchen. Our tile in the kitchen has broken in many places, so I'm not sure I want to go with tile again. I'm interested to know what others' opinions are about the best type of flooring for a kitchen. I'd appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks.

Answer 1

Kitchen floors present many problems as far as surfaces. Tile can be slippery (though they do make rougher surfaces) but do not present a water problem. Trouble can be the dropping of heavy utensils on them. (Note: Your current problem may be insufficient underlayment which allows the floor to flex and crack the tiles) Laminate can also be slippery with cooking oils in the air. Water is a bigger problem. Laminate repair due to an accident is a nightmare. Most laminates cannot be refinished as the top is a thin layer. Guess you have to consider the problems you will encounter in your usage. Good luck.

Answer 2

I prefer a good linoleum flooring. There are some good quality linoleum prints out there now that look very much like real tiling. Linoleum is also much easier to clean and you don't have to worry about it getting wet. And if you want extra durable linoleum, go with a commercial grade.

And like the one person mentioned, tile should not crack if the right tile is installed and is installed properly. Tile should be about the most durable flooring you can put in your kitchen. And if you don't like the feel of cold tile on your feet. Have them add a heater wire under the tile.

Answer 3

You're right to be worried about potential water damage... Water damage will not just damage a laminate floor, but will ruin it.

As for your cracked tiles, if so many of them are broken, it leads me to believe that whoever installed them used wall tiles instead of floor tiles to save on money... That's what happens when you use wall tiles instead of floor tiles, as the tiles are not strong enough to walk on. There are different grades of tile.

So, retiling isn't a problem if you use floor tiles... And in my humble opinion, ceramic tiles are the BEST way to go in a kitchen. Now, here's an idea: you like the look of wood... so get yourself some ceramic floor tiles that look sooooo much like wood, you have to touch them to tell the difference. And they are made to go on the floor, so they won't crack.
Here's a link:
http://pdf.archiexpo.com/pdf/venus-ceramica/imitation-marble-ceramic-tile-11610-4189.html