Rubber flooring for kitchen?

[JulietteHasAGun]

I am looking for new flooring for the kitchen and am looking at rubber flooring to replace the existing tiles. Does anyone have this? I am wondering about the longevity of it - am worried about dog claws, etc. Would it get ripped/damaged.

I'm assuming some sort of hardboard flooring would have to be laid over the current tiles first? Or the tiles taken up? I have no idea what's under the tiles and as the house is so old I suspect might be soil not concrete

I shall preface this by saying I have no experience of rubber flooring, but in a previous life I was involved in the manufacture of industrial products with a high degree of rubber content.

Rubber is not inert. Different types can resist different liquids but most cannot resist them all. Those that are ok with water (many are hygroscopic) don’t like oil and so on. Think how your rubber gloves go sticky after a time - this is because of the water, oil and detergents they are exposed to. Rubber that can resist most things tends not to be hard wearing - silicone would have solved our problems except it couldn’t cope with the physical demands.

So if oil is spilt and not cleaned up immediately it could well leave a mark and some degradation of the area, same could happen with water.

I imagine rubber flooring is coated so the above shouldn’t happen, but the chances are that in a high footfall area the coating will wear away and the rubber will be exposed, and in a kitchen this area is likely to be by the sink and cooker where most liquids will be spilt.

I guess from the above you won’t be surprised that I wouldn’t go for a rubber floor ( too many memories of trying to placate angry customers where failed products had brought a production line to a halt).

Perfect thank you. That makes sense. I’ll go for tiles

Very sensible!

Back in the 00s we installed a bright purple rubber floor in our kitchen when it was being renovated. I don't recall the brand, but it was French and quite industrial. When it was installed there was some sealing product that was washed over it, which I think dealt with any oil issues - I certainly don't recall any stains by the time we moved out a few years later.

Not sure I'd be up for one now, but we liked it at the time, and it was easy to live with.

I've had rubber flooring in kitchen and (currently) bathroom. Always found it pretty hard-wearing. Yes you'll need a plywood underlay.

I would look at marmoleum before you settle with tiles. Its made of sawdust and a plant oil and is warm to walk on, relatively resistant to scratches and can be gently sanded if scratched