When one undertakes development work in one’s kitchen, one tends to go almost automatically on the side of the tiles to cover the floor. Admittedly, this is a practical maintenance and task-resistant coating, two important advantages. Yet there are many other options that are just as interesting, be they aesthetics, price or robustness! My Customized Interior now reviews the 10 alternative tiling in the kitchen for a chic and practical floor!
Cement tiles
It’s no longer a secret, cement tiles have been on the rise for a few seasons already! Ideal for adding cachet to a kitchen – whether retro or modern – the cement tiles delight us with their bright colors and their 1900 style patterns. As you can see, the aesthetic is the strong point of this very trendy coating. However, be careful with its maintenance, which is quite complicated: the cement tiles are porous in nature, they are very sensitive to the tasks. It is therefore essential to treat them with wax, varnish or a special resin once a year. Detergents are also to be banned for the daily maintenance because they alter the natural colored pigments present in your coating. Last detail, price, rather high because of the artisanal production and the sale by the piece. If you can not offer real cement tiles for your kitchen, know that today there are many imitations on the vinyl and tile side (at Saint Maclou, Leroy Merlin or Castorama
Here the cement tile floor delimits the kitchen of the corridor (photo: Decoration cocoon)
The polished concrete
Who has not dreamed of a New York loft style kitchen with industrial furniture and polished concrete floor? This mixture of concrete, mineral aggregates and additives is covered by several layers of varnish and wax which give it its slightly polished appearance. In the kitchen, it seduces with its ease of maintenance and its resistance to scratches and shocks: just clean it with soapy water and wax 1 to 2 times a year to maintain its shine. origin. Warmer than the tiles in contact with the feet, waxed concrete has the advantage of keeping the heat when it is in the sun. On the other hand, it is likely that it will crack over the years because of the retracting effect … some people do not like it, others do not! Last disadvantage, its high price. Certainly,
Polished concrete to create a neo-industrial atmosphere! (Photo: Pinterest)
Resin
Formerly reserved for warehouses and large spaces, resin is gradually appearing in our interiors. There are two categories: epoxy resin and polyurethane resin. The first consists of Bisphenol A and hardener, and has a smooth surface that is similar to waxed concrete. Thanks to its pigments, you can choose its color among many references available! The second is more flexible and more versatile, but also more expensive. Both are however very robust and do not require any special maintenance, except for cleaning with soapy water from time to time. On the price side, count between 50 and 150 € / m2 (including installation) for an epoxy resin floor, and between 150 and 300 € / m2 (including installation) for a polyurethane resin. Resistant to tasks and any terrain,
Ultra resistant, resin is a good alternative to waxed concrete (Photo: DesignMag)
Solid parquet
Parquet has long been banned from the kitchen and the bathroom: these two rooms, called “wet”, were not recommended for laying a solid wood floor. Fortunately, times have changed and it is now possible to enjoy the warmth and nobility of the woods behind the stoves! Simply choose the right gasoline that will withstand frequent passage and moisture. For this, the exotic wood and European species (charm, acacia …) are the most appropriate: the latter must however be re-processed, that is to say treated by a thermal process that dries the wood. To protect your floor during the year, we advise you to oil it to protect it without smothering it. Vitrification is strongly discouraged!
