Floorboard in the kitchen and in the hallway

Until recently, it was believed that the floorboard can be laid only in rooms with an optimal level of humidity and a stable temperature. It was used reluctantly in the kitchen and in the corridor due to excessive susceptibility to mechanical stress and relative cost.

Today, many realized that the floorboard has little to do with classic flooring, which is really undesirable to lay in the kitchen and in the hallway. Despite the fact that both materials are made of natural wood, there are significant operational and qualitative differences between them.

For the manufacture of wood flooring using thinner wood, which significantly affects the cost of the material. Laying the board is much easier because of the construction, which is very similar to the construction of ordinary laminate. Yes, and in the operation of the floorboard manifests itself well: almost not afraid of moisture, retains heat, must be repaired.

Contrary to popular belief, flooring is a durable material that can withstand mechanical stress (though not very serious). This is due to the fact that the board is made of three layers of wood, which are laid in a special way:

• The bottom layer of the board is formed from solid coniferous veneer and is laid along the fibers.
• The middle layer consists of soft coniferous wood and is laid across the fibers. This layer of the board is the most flexible.
• The top layer of the board is the most durable since the slats for its formation are made of hard wood and laid along the fibers.

For decorative reasons, parquet boards are coated with varnish or oil. Such processing makes the material more contrasting and allows you to better emphasize its natural wood texture.

If you decide to lay the floor in the kitchen with a floorboard, you will have to accept the need to keep it dry.No, wood can withstand wet cleaning, accidentally spilled liquid or a small water accident, but too frequent effects of this kind will be disastrous for it.

The smooth texture of the floorboard allows you to keep the floor in perfect cleanliness since there are simply no cracks and cracks in the material. However, the use of special detergents for wooden surfaces when cleaning the material is still recommended.

Many are afraid to lay the floorboard in the kitchen due to the fact that it does not tolerate shocks and other mechanical effects. Hot and heavy objects that have fallen on the floor can actually damage the material, but small glassware is unlikely to significantly change its appearance.

What is the conclusion? If you want the floor in your kitchen to be hypoallergenic, beautiful and warm, the floorboard is quite suitable for you. But do not forget that this material can be made from different types of wood, different design, and generally covered with different types of varnish.

Rooms like the kitchen and corridor are operated more often than others, therefore parquet boards for them should be chosen special.For materials with what characteristics should pay attention?

1. Moisture resistance. Moisture-tolerant boards are always labeled. Look for labels on the label like aqua resist or water protection.
2. Density. In order for the parquet board to be strong enough and not cracked by the slightest blow, its thickness must be at least 20 cm.
3. Lacquer coating. For the kitchen and the corridor, it is better to choose a varnished parquet board, and not oil. It is desirable that the varnish contained a small percentage of wax, then the board is also moisture resistant.
4. Type of wood. Ash, teak and iroko boards are ideal for the kitchen. They are durable, well resist acidic effects, moisture-resistant and beautiful. For the corridor, it is better to choose boards from ash or oak - the most durable and durable type of wood.
5. Chamfer. Each floorboard should be slightly sloped along the edge. In an emergency situation, the bevel will protect the neighboring boards from deformation, which means that the damaged coating can be restored, and not have to be replaced as a whole.
6. Smoothness. The surface of the floorboard should be smooth. The presence of knots makes the material impractical and unpresentable in external terms.

It should be noted that the performance properties of the floorboard largely depend on the method of their installation.

If you are ready to be careful in the kitchen or just do not often visit it, you can give preference to the floating method of laying. It is considered one of the simplest and is the banal connection of individual boards in the castle. Each set of boards is accompanied by instructions describing how to lay them correctly.

The adhesive method is best used for laying floorboard in the hallway. Since in this room the material will often be subjected to mechanical stress, it is better to firmly fix it on the floor, and the glue will contribute to this. However, remember that laying the boards on the glue alone is unlikely to happen. It is better to entrust the work to specialists.

The appearance of parquet boards should be given special attention, because the overall atmosphere in the room will depend on their texture and color.In the assortment of stores you can find boards of three types - one-color, two-color and three-color. The shades themselves are different, but when choosing the most suitable, it is better to listen to the advice:

1. For narrow and darkened corridors, choose light parquet boards. They will visually expand the space of the corridor and make it cozy.
2. Boards of a reddish shade are suitable for corridors with medium illumination and pastel colors in the interior.
3. Light and spacious corridors should be covered with boards of dark shades: chocolate, brown, terracotta. With this design, the room will get a solid look.
4. If there are glossy facades in the kitchen and a shiny coating technique, you should choose the appropriate one. Floors of a light shade with smooth darkened transitions will make the room more spacious, and darker and glossy - more compact.
5. For kitchens decorated in black and white colors, gray parquet boards are ideal. Some advise to match their color with ceilings. Such a move is appropriate in narrow corridors.

Features of laying boards also affect the visual perception of space.If you lay them along the wall, the room will visually lengthen, and if you lay it diagonally, it will expand. Large parquet boards visually narrow the space, and narrow, on the contrary, expand it.

Parquet board is a capricious material in terms of operation. The beauty of wood has to be maintained constantly, but you quickly get used to it. "Walk" on the forums you can read a lot of useful tips that will greatly facilitate the care of the material. Here are some of them:

1. Under the kitchen set and other furniture is better to put a special felt lining. Walking on the floor is better in soft slippers or barefoot.
2. Chairs and cabinets on plastic rollers can not be put directly on the floor. Under such furniture it is better to put special mats on a plastic base. If the rubber rollers do not need to do this.
3. In the process of wet cleaning, you should use a rag well pressed from water or a foam rubber mop. Any water spilled on the floor should be wiped immediately, even though the material is relatively water resistant.
4. Detergents for dishes, as well as substances based on alcohol and dyes can not be used when cleaning the floor. Also do not use a washing vacuum cleaner.

To maintain the floorboard in an aesthetic state, you can use special varnishes, mastics and polishes. They make the floor surface shiny and impart anti-slip properties.