The Best Flooring For Kitchens: Which is Right For You?

(Image credit: Hyperion Tiles)

As spaces that have to be super practical, choosing the best flooring for kitchens should be something that is top of your list of priorities.

Kitchens these days have to be more hardworking than ever — we expect them not only to provide all the features we need to carry out day-to-day tasks such as cooking and clearing up, but we also want them to be entertaining and dining spaces, somewhere the family can gather together and many of us have even taken to using them as home offices.

Will you be including a dining area in your kitchen design and if so will you want a different flooring type in this space?
What type of heating are you using? Do you plan to introduce underfloor heating, for instance?
What style of kitchen are you aiming for?
How much can you spend on your kitchen flooring?
Do you want to fit your flooring yourself?
Do you have pets?
How big is the space you are working with?
How much natural light does your kitchen get? Lighter coloured flooring will help to brighten a dark space.

Laminate flooring (as well as some vinyl and wood flooring) comes with an 'AC rating' that relates to its strength and durability — the higher the number, the more durable the floor. 'AC' stands for Abrasion Coefficient. An AC1 rating indicates a laminate that is suitable for moderate traffic and so would be well suited to bedrooms or guest rooms, while an AC3 rating indicates it is suitable for areas of heavy traffic such as hallways. When it comes to kitchens, you really need a laminate that you can be sure will deal with moisture well — Direct Wood Flooring recommend going with an AC4 or AC5 rating.

Porcelain tiles: Porcelain tiles are a brilliant choice for kitchens as they are very low maintenance and extremely hardwearing. They don't require sealing unlike natural stone, and they are easy to lay. They are perfect for using over underfloor heating, easy to clean, durable and available in a massive range of designs, shapes, sizes and colours. Porcelain tiles start at £20/m2.
Ceramic Tiles: Cheaper than porcelain (starting from around £10/m2), ceramic tiles are also a good option in kitchens, However, they are a little less durable than porcelain and can be prone to chips and cracks. A payoff for their lower price tag is that they tend not to be through-coloured meaning any chips will really show up.
Natural stone: Stone floor tiles are ideal in kitchens as they are extremely tough. They are perfect for use over underfloor heating and, providing they are properly sealed, offer good water and stain resistance. Choose a rustic, riven finish for classic kitchen styles or a honed, smooth surface for contemporary kitchens. Although some slate flooring starts from £20/m2, prices closer to £30/m2 can be expected for natural stone.

Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.