What is the best flooring for a kitchen?

For most UK kitchens, the best flooring is LVT or sheet vinyl, because both cope well with water, spills and constant cleaning. Water-resistant laminate is a good choice if you want a wood look on a tighter budget and wipe up spills promptly. Carpet is rarely used in kitchens because it holds spills and food.

The right answer depends on how your kitchen is used, what is underneath the floor and whether you have underfloor heating. This guide compares the three most common kitchen floors and the practical points worth deciding before you choose.

Sheet vinyl, LVT or laminate: how do they compare?

Sheet vinyl

Sheet vinyl comes off a roll, so in many kitchens it can be laid with few or no seams. That makes it one of the most practical surfaces where water is a concern, because there are fewer joints for spills to find. Cushioned ranges feel softer and a little warmer underfoot, and are kinder to a dropped glass than a hard floor. It is usually the most cost-effective of the three. The trade-off is that heavy appliances and sharp objects can dent or cut it, and a damaged area is harder to repair invisibly than a single plank or tile.

LVT (luxury vinyl tile)

LVT is laid as individual planks or tiles, either glued down or as a click system. It is water-resistant, hard-wearing and convincing as a wood or stone look, and individual pieces can often be replaced if one is damaged. Glue-down LVT on a well-prepared subfloor is a common choice for kitchens that open into living areas, because the same floor can run through. It costs more than sheet vinyl and depends heavily on a smooth, level base.

Laminate and water-resistant laminate

Laminate is a click-together floor with a wood-fibre core and a printed, protective top layer. Standard laminate does not like standing water: if it gets into the joints, the core can swell. Many manufacturers now offer water-resistant laminate with sealed or treated edges, rated to resist surface water for a stated period. It is hard-wearing against scratches and can be a good value way to get a realistic wood look. Check the manufacturer’s kitchen and wet-area guidance for the specific range, and still wipe up spills promptly.

For a deeper side by side, see LVT vs laminate for kitchens and sheet vinyl vs LVT.

Why isn’t carpet used in kitchens?

Carpet absorbs spills, holds food debris and grease, and is hard to keep hygienic around a cooking area. Water from a leaking dishwasher or washing machine can soak into the carpet and underlay and stay there. Even kitchen-specific carpet tiles are uncommon in homes today, because vinyl, LVT and laminate do the job better and clean far more easily.

Which kitchen floor copes best with water and spills?

Everyday spills are manageable on all three if they are wiped up. The difference shows with larger leaks and repeated wet mopping:

• Sheet vinyl: few or no seams, so it handles water well when fitted and sealed properly at the edges.
• Glue-down LVT: water-resistant, with tight joints bonded to the subfloor.
• Click LVT: water-resistant surface, but water can reach the subfloor through joints if left standing.
• Water-resistant laminate: resists surface water for the period the manufacturer states, but is not designed for standing water.
• Standard laminate: the least forgiving; best avoided where leaks are likely.

No floor fixes a slow leak under a sink or appliance. If water sits beneath any floor for long enough, it can cause problems, so fix leaks first.

What about dropped pans and heavy appliances?

Kitchens see dropped cans, chairs dragged back from the table and appliances rolled out for cleaning. Laminate’s hard top layer resists scratching well. LVT’s wear layer resists everyday scuffs, and thicker wear layers last longer in busy rooms. Sheet vinyl is softer, which is kinder to dropped crockery but more prone to dents from point loads such as a fridge on small feet. Felt pads under chair legs and care when moving appliances help all three. If you have pets, our guide to flooring for homes with dogs covers claws and grip.

Can you use kitchen flooring over underfloor heating?

Many vinyl, LVT and laminate products are suitable for use over underfloor heating, but suitability varies by range and by heating type. Manufacturers usually set a maximum floor surface temperature and may specify a particular underlay, adhesive or installation method. Always check the manufacturer’s underfloor heating guidance for the exact product before you buy, and tell us about the heating system when you ask for an estimate.

Should flooring go under kitchen units?

This is a common question with a two-part answer. Units and heavy fixed items such as islands are usually fitted first, with the floor laid up to them and finished neatly at the plinths. Click floors such as laminate and click LVT are floating floors, and manufacturers generally advise against fixing heavy units on top of them, because the floor needs room to move. Glue-down LVT and sheet vinyl behave differently, and some kitchen fitters prefer to lay the floor first. Whichever way you go, leave space to slide out freestanding appliances such as a dishwasher or fridge, and plan the order with your kitchen fitter.

Does the subfloor need preparing?

Almost always, to some degree. Sheet vinyl and glue-down LVT will show bumps, gaps and old adhesive through the surface, so they generally need a smooth, level base, often with a levelling compound or a hardboard or ply overlay. Laminate is more tolerant of minor unevenness but still needs a reasonably flat floor and the right underlay. Concrete subfloors may need moisture checks before any of these go down. Our guide to LVT subfloor preparation explains what is typically involved.

Which kitchen floor is easiest to clean?

All three are easy to keep clean with a sweep and a damp mop. Sheet vinyl and glue-down LVT tolerate more frequent mopping. Laminate should be cleaned with a well wrung-out mop rather than a wet one, and steam mops are not recommended by many laminate and LVT manufacturers, so check the care guide for your floor.

Common questions

Is LVT or laminate better for a kitchen?

LVT is usually the safer choice where water is a concern. Water-resistant laminate is a good alternative if spills are wiped up promptly and the manufacturer approves it for kitchens.

Is sheet vinyl old-fashioned?

Not any more. Current ranges include realistic wood, stone and tile designs, and the low number of seams makes sheet vinyl a very practical kitchen floor.

Can kitchen flooring run into the living room?

Yes. LVT and laminate are often run through open-plan kitchen and living spaces for a continuous look, subject to the manufacturer’s limits on run length for floating floors.

Do I need to empty the kitchen before fitting?

Usually, yes. Freestanding appliances, tables and chairs need to be moved out so the floor can be laid and finished properly.

Planning a new kitchen floor?

We supply and fit carpet, sheet vinyl, laminate and LVT in homes across Burton-on-Trent, Branston and Swadlincote. Send your room sizes, photos and preferred floor through our quote form for an indicative estimate or a written quotation, or ask about a home measure.