Journal
What alternatives to Stone are there for kitchen floors
Alternatives to Stone Flooring for Kitchens
February. 2023
We explore the alternative flooring options that are available when designing a bespoke kitchen
When considering alternatives to Stone flooring for kitchens there are a range of styles and designs to suit all budgets and tastes, but still one of the most important things to consider is durability.
A contemporary alternative to stone flooring for kitchens could be hardwood, terrazzo or patterned vinyl the designs of which have moved on considerably in the past few years.
Designers such as Neisha Crosland have quite literally stamped their footprints across a beautiful award winning range of design-led vinyl available from Harvey Maria that would be acceptable in any bespoke kitchen, laundry, bathroom or boot room. Or a more modern choice may be polished concrete or painted screed, all newer techniques that offer a more industrial aesthetic.
Consideration still needs to be made as to whether your chosen flooring is suitable for use with under floor heating. Does it need sealing, or re-sealing, does it scratch or stain?
ALTERNATIVE FLOORING OPTIONS
HARDWOOD
Timber flooring is softer and warmer under foot than ceramic tiles and it can make a great alternative to stone flooring for your kitchen. Depending on the type of wood chosen it can be expensive and can damage or become worn, they can dent and scratch. However it can be re-finished and there is a natural ambiance to hardwood that can be reassuring. While timber floors work well in kitchens, timber can move, so if you have underfloor heating, solid timber may shrink as it dries, so gaps may appear.
An alternative is engineered board, but they will be new when laid, and take a few years to mellow. Reclaimed wooden flooring from reclamation yards such as Frome Reclamation will add instant character.
Reclaimed wooden floors do carry certain risks however, such as available volume, damage, markings, and often being damp, causing excessive shrinkage when introduced to a heated domestic environment. If you’d rather have a new wooden floor in your kitchen, an excellent company we have worked with recently, called Charles Lowe, specialise in beautiful new character oak floors for historic buildings.
CONCRETE
To create a more industrial aesthetic, poured and polished concrete is a great option for a kitchen floor. It is durable and low maintenance, but can be costly and difficult to install, and you will need an engineer to make sure that your house can structurally support the weight of a concrete floor. Definitely a brave, modernist choice.
TERRAZZO
The origins of terrazzo can trace their roots across the globe and as far back as ancient Egypt, but modern-day terrazzo that we now use began its story around 500 years ago in Venice, Italy.
Terrazzo flooring is a timeless composite material that’s either poured in place or precast, and which can be used for both floors and walls. It’s typically made of fragments of quartz, granite, glass, and marble, combined with cement or polymeric. Diespeker & Co. offer a wide selection of Terrazzo flooring options.
VINYL
Vinyl is a reasonably priced synthetic flooring material that’s water-resistant and durable. It is available in numerous styles, and also takes two forms: sheet vinyl, which is rolled onto floors in large sheets, and vinyl tile, which can imitate ceramic. There are now many designer-led vinyl tile options available, such as those designed by Neisha Crosland for Harvey Maria.
LAMINATE
Laminate is made of layers of resin and fibre board that comes in a variety of styles, often mimicking wood or ceramic. While the material does have a more superficial feel than hardwood, it’s highly durable and is easy to install.
LINOLEUM
Unlike its cousin vinyl, linoleum is actually made from natural materials. It may conjure up visions of a more retro style of kitchen, but is becoming more popular again due to its eco credentials.
RUBBER
Rubber is a great alternative kitchen flooring option, especially if you are dealing with large open spaces or high traffic areas. It is a very durable product and it is made from natural materials. Rubber should be glued down to avoid moisture problems, shifting/seam separation issues and provide a sealed floor that is easy to clean.
CORK & BAMBOO
Cork is an eco-friendly material, made popular in the 70s. It is comfortable and cushion-like under foot, but as it is soft it can damage and look worn over time, and it does need to be sealed to protect it from stains and spills.
Bamboo is a renewable resource, so is an eco-friendly flooring choice. It offers a similar feel to hardwood, but again can scratch and wear, but can be re-finished if required.
For alternative flooring options we recommend the following companies
AMTICO luxury vinyl tiles offer a waterproof, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant surface, so it works great in bustling family homes, coping easily with kids, pets, and everyday life.
HARVEY MARIA has been producing luxury floors for stylish homes and businesses for over 25 years. They offer a comprehensive design led range of vinyl and rubber tiles and create luxury flooring which is incredibly durable and easy to maintain.
DIESPEKER & CO. was started in 1881, and was one of the first companies to offer terrazzo and mosaic in this country. Diespeker soon became a force to be reckoned with in the sector, adding marble, granite and other materials along the way.
