Kitchen Laminate Flooring

Can you put laminate in a kitchen?

Yes, if it is the right laminate and it is fitted properly. Standard laminate has a fibreboard core that soaks up water through the joints and swells. Kitchen-suitable laminate has a moisture-resistant core and joints treated or sealed to keep water out, so spills, splashes and mopping are no problem if water is wiped up. It still is not a floor for standing water or floods.

How to choose kitchen laminate

Water resistance

Check how long the product resists standing water and that the maker says it suits kitchens. A longer rating gives you more time to deal with a spill or a dishwasher leak.

AC rating

Kitchens are busy: grit from the garden, chair legs and dropped pans. AC4 keeps its looks for longer than AC3 in a family kitchen.

Thickness

10mm to 12mm boards feel more solid underfoot and are quieter, which matters in open-plan kitchen-diners.

Colour and texture

Mid-tone oak and warm greys hide crumbs and dust best; very dark and very light floors show more. A textured surface looks natural, grips better when damp and hides small scratches; avoid high gloss in kitchens.

Kitchen laminate or kitchen vinyl?

Laminate has the harder, more scratch-resistant surface, feels more like wood underfoot and usually costs a little less. Vinyl does not absorb water at all, is softer and warmer to stand on and quieter. If your kitchen sees a lot of water (young children, pets with water bowls, a busy sink), vinyl is the safer choice; for a kitchen-diner where you want one hard-wearing wood look throughout, water-resistant laminate works well.

Planning a kitchen floor

• Units: laminate floats, so it is fitted up to the kitchen units and finished with the plinth; units should not sit on top of it.
• Appliances: check the dishwasher and washing machine can still be pulled out once the floor height rises.
• Open plan: one floor through the kitchen, dining and living area makes the space feel bigger; very long runs may need an expansion break.

Our article on flooring under kitchen cabinets explains the options.

Fitting laminate in a kitchen

1. Let the packs acclimatise for about 48 hours.
2. On concrete, lay a laminate underlay with a damp proof membrane, unless the boards have underlay attached and a separate membrane is specified.
3. Click every joint fully closed; an open joint lets water in.
4. Leave the expansion gap at the walls and units; where the maker recommends, seal it with a flexible sealant near the sink and dishwasher.
5. Finish along the plinths and walls with scotia beading or skirting.

Our installation guides and measuring guide help you plan the job.

Looking after kitchen laminate

Wipe spills straight away, sweep up grit often, and clean with a well-wrung mop and a laminate floor cleaner. Put mats in front of the sink and cooker and felt pads on chair legs. Never use a steam mop.

Common mistakes

• Using standard laminate because it matches the living room.
• Leaving joints not fully clicked, which lets water in.
• Trapping the dishwasher by raising the floor in front of it.