Face-off
Tiles or vinyl in the kitchen?
The kitchen sits between wet and dry. Ben keeps the tiles, Belle wants the warmth, and they meet at the sink.
Ben's corner: keep the tiles
Illustration
Cream matte porcelain
A new 3-room or bigger BTO kitchen comes with glazed porcelain floor tiles, in HDB's Kim Keat Crest brochure at least. Check yours. Keeping them costs nothing.
A flooring firm's director told Home & Decor that for a wet kitchen, it makes more sense to spend a bit more on tiles.
Replacing them needs an HDB permit, and pre-packed waterproofing screed under the new floor.
If they must go, our typical tiles price is S$115 to S$155 per sqm (S$10.68 to S$14.40 per sq ft).
Typical price, before extras
Our price levels · supplied and laid, GST included
Entry S$85 to S$115 · Mid S$115 to S$155 · Premium S$155 to S$220 a sqm.
Set 4 Oct 2026.
Supplied and laid on a ready, level floor, with standard installation, normal wastage and GST included. Major levelling or screeding, laying in herringbone or chevron, removing and disposing of the old floor, new skirting, special transition profiles, door trimming and other remedial work are normally extra, priced after a site inspection.
They're made for a wet floor. Spend the money in the living room.
Belle's corner: vinyl, warm underfoot
Illustration
Light oak vinyl plank
The same oak as the living room, so the flat reads as one floor.
A designer told Home & Decor vinyl is softer for long stands at the stove, and not very cold on air-conditioned mornings.
Water-resistant, not waterproof: water can seep in at the joints if the locking system lets it, so wipe spills and never flood it.
Vinyl laid over the old tiles needs no HDB permit. Our typical vinyl price is S$60 to S$80 per sqm (S$5.57 to S$7.43 per sq ft).
One floor from the door to the stove. Just keep a towel by the sink.
Notes and sources (8)
HDB, Kim Keat Crest sales brochure (Feb 2026 BTO) · Feb 2026
- Kim Keat Crest (Feb 2026), 3-room and bigger flats: "These flats come with: • Floor finishes in the: • Bathrooms • Household shelter • Kitchen/ utility (3-room) • Kitchen and service yard (4-room and bigger flats)". Specifications: "Kitchen/ Utility/ Bathroom/ WC/ Household Shelter Floor : glazed porcelain tiles"
Home & Decor, 6 vinyl flooring myths · 25 May 2026
- "…an area that gets a lot of environmental stress like a wet kitchen, it actually makes more sense to spend a bit more upfront on tiles."
- "It has a bit of cushion, so standing for long periods (like in the kitchen) feels less tiring." "Unlike tiles, vinyl doesn't feel very cold in air-conditioned rooms or mornings."
- "…water can still seep through the gaps or joints if the locking system allows it…" "Vinyl is water resistant, not waterproof, so normal mopping is fine but once you pour water to soak and wash, you may damage the vinyl and void their warranty."
HDB, Building works guidelines · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Replacement of floor finishes (ceramic, homogeneous, terrazzo, marble, parquet/ timber, other tiles): permit required. "Use pre-packed waterproofing screed for kitchen and open balcony before laying new floor finishes."
- "Laying of vinyl finishes/ carpet/ linoleum": permit required, no.
SGFloorFinder price levels · our own levels
- Tiles, typical: S$115 to S$155 per sqm (S$10.68 to S$14.40 per sq ft).
- Vinyl, typical: S$60 to S$80 per sqm (S$5.57 to S$7.43 per sq ft).