Choosing the right floor for your commercial kitchen is a big decision. The perfect flooring needs to be safe, clean, and tough enough to handle the daily challenges of a busy kitchen.
Why Kitchen Flooring Matters
Commercial kitchens are tough places for floors. They face:
- People walking all day long
- Heavy equipment being moved around
- Spills of water, oil, and food
- Hot and cold temperature changes
Your kitchen flooring needs to deal with all these challenges while keeping your staff safe and meeting health rules.
At Kent Flooring, we’ve put floors in many kitchens across Kent, London and the South East. We know what works best in these busy spaces.
What Makes Good Commercial Kitchen Flooring
Safety First: Non-Slip Surfaces
Slips and falls are a big danger in kitchens. Floors get wet and greasy quickly, making them slippery. Good kitchen flooring must stay safe to walk on even when wet.
Helpful tip: Choose lighter-coloured floors so staff can easily see grease before someone slips.
Clean and Germ-Free
According to the Food Standards Agency guidance, kitchen floors must be:
- Water resistant (won’t soak up liquids)
- Easy to clean
- Washable
- Made from safe materials
These features make sure your floor can be cleaned properly to stop germs growing where food is prepared.
Tough and Long-Lasting
Commercial kitchen flooring must handle:
- High traffic areas with lots of foot movement
- Heavy equipment being pushed around
- Dropped tools and dishes
- Cleaning chemicals
- Hot and cold changes
The best flooring options resist stains and scratches while staying safe and looking good for years.
Simple to Clean
In a busy kitchen, you need floors that are easy to clean. The best options don’t have many joints or gaps where dirt can hide and take just minutes to mop clean.
Best Types of Flooring for Commercial Kitchens
After years of experience, we’ve found these options work best in commercial kitchens:
Resin Flooring
Resin floors are excellent for commercial kitchens because they have no seams and resist chemicals and heavy use.
Good points:
- No seams or joints where germs can grow
- Very slip-resistant
- Stands up to harsh cleaning chemicals
- Very tough in high traffic areas
- Easy to clean
Resin floors are used in many food businesses because they’re safe and very clean.
Kitchen Vinyl Flooring
At Kent Flooring UK, we offer top-quality vinyl flooring for kitchens from leading brands.
Good points:
- More affordable to install
- Built-in slip resistance
- Quicker to install
- Stays clean and germ-free
- Handles high traffic areas well
- Fully water resistant
Drawbacks:
- Can’t be fixed if damaged (needs replacing)
- Doesn’t last as long as resin
Epoxy Flooring
Epoxy flooring is great for commercial kitchens because it combines toughness, safety, and good looks.
Good points:
- Non-slip surface keeps staff safe
- Meets all food safety rules
- Stands up to heavy equipment
- No seams where germs can grow
- Available in many colours
While it takes longer to install, epoxy flooring is worth the investment for busy commercial kitchens.
What About Other Flooring Types?
You might wonder about other options:
Ceramic Tiles While tough and heat-resistant, tiles have grout lines that can trap dirt and bacteria. They’re also hard to stand on all day.
Wood Flooring Though beautiful, real wood floors aren’t suitable for commercial kitchens as they aren’t water resistant enough and can’t handle the harsh conditions.
Laminate Flooring Standard laminate isn’t designed for commercial kitchens as it isn’t water resistant enough for constant spills.
Comparing Kitchen Flooring Options
| Flooring Type | Slip Resistance | Cleanliness | Toughness | Easy to Clean | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resin | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very | High |
| Kitchen Vinyl | Very Good | Good | Good | Very | Medium |
| Epoxy | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very | High |
| Ceramic Tiles | Good (if rated) | Fair | Very Good | Less | Medium |
Getting the Most from Your Kitchen Flooring
Proper Installation Matters
Good installation is key to making your kitchen floor last. All joints between floors and walls should be sealed to keep water out and make cleaning easier. Floors near drains should slope toward them to stop water pooling.
Keeping Your Floor Safe
Even the most slip-resistant flooring will become dangerous if not kept clean. Regular cleaning to remove grease is essential. Set up a daily cleaning plan based on your kitchen’s needs.
Thinking About Underfloor Heating?
Some commercial kitchens benefit from underfloor heating, which works well with vinyl and resin flooring styles. This can improve comfort for staff standing all day and help floors dry faster after cleaning.
Common Questions About Commercial Kitchen Flooring
How long will my kitchen flooring last?
It depends on the type and how busy your kitchen is:
- Resin and epoxy floors: 10-20 years
- Kitchen vinyl: 7-15 years
- Ceramic tiles: 10+ years (but grout may need replacing sooner)
Good cleaning and care makes any floor last longer.
Can I install commercial kitchen flooring myself?
We strongly recommend hiring professionals for commercial kitchen flooring. Proper preparation and finishing are crucial for safety and meeting food regulations. Professional installers know how to make sure your flooring is designed to meet all requirements.
How soon can we use the kitchen after new flooring is installed?
This depends on what type you choose:
- Resin and epoxy floors: Usually 1-3 days to fully harden
- Kitchen vinyl: Often ready to use right away
- Ceramic tiles: 1-2 days for grout to set
Our team will tell you exactly how long your specific project will take.
How do I keep my kitchen floor from getting slippery?
Regular cleaning with the right products is key. Don’t use household cleaners that leave slippery residue. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning advice and consider professional deep cleaning a few times a year to maintain slip resistance.
Making Your Choice
After looking at all options, resin and epoxy flooring systems stand out as the best choices for busy commercial kitchens. They offer the perfect flooring solution: seamless finish, top hygiene standards, excellent slip resistance, and they’re stain resistant and durable.
At Kent Flooring UK, we understand the challenges of commercial kitchen environments. With over 20 years helping businesses across Kent, London and the South East, we can help you pick and install the right flooring for your commercial kitchen.
Our experts will guide you through all options, looking at your specific needs, budget, and how your kitchen works. We use top manufacturers to provide high-quality flooring that meets all safety and hygiene rules.
Contact us today to discuss your commercial kitchen flooring needs and get a free consultation.
