A lot of stuff happens in the kitchen that may be damaging for the wood at times. That could prompt the thought in someone’s mind that hardwood flooring isn’t appropriate for kitchens. However, it is seen that hardwood flooring could be a great choice if handled with care and installed properly with the use of sealants. It is a commonly understood notion that the wood is prone to water damage. Therefore, the hardwood flooring in the kitchen requires some reengineering in order for it to survive for decades. If proper sanding has been done on the wooden flooring and the sealants are applied correctly then these measure help in increasing the life of hardwood flooring up to decades. The hard coats are strong enough to bear heavyweights of appliances and furniture without being damaged. HiTrueCare provides a list of Pros and Cons of hardwood flooring in the kitchen.
Deciding if Wood Floors are Right for Your Kitchen
If you are building a new house or planning to refurnish your home then in either of the cases you have to perform a little research to decide upon various choices and pick the best among them. If you are planning to use hardwood flooring in your newly constructed house or replace an existing one. In either of the cases, you have to learn about the pros and cons of hardwood flooring in the kitchen. Building upon these pros and cons may help you decide on the best possible choice of hardwood flooring in the kitchen or simply leave and opt for tiles.
The pros of hardwood kitchen flooring
Let’s have a glance at the pros of using hardwood flooring in the kitchen.
Beauty
Natural wood is so elegant, and the variety of color and wood grain patterns means there’s a hardwood type for everyone. If you are planning on using a particular, then bear in mind that different woods take stain differently and some might take stronger than others. If you’re interested in sanding the floors and refinishing them to a colour that better coordinate with your kitchen, you’ll want to pay close attention to samples and test different stains to ensure it looks the way you want it to when the project is complete.
Durability
We all know that the worst enemy of any type of wood is Water. Its damage will make a plank to warp and/or split. Therefore, a lot of house owners ask if the wood is durable and reliable enough for a good flooring option. Contrary to that, the tile or concrete is a better water-resistant flooring option, but wood is a close second/third. If the spilled or puddled water left for longer duration without mopping out, that would surely cause damage to hardwood flooring. It’s standing water, or an unresolved leak, that will cause a level of damage that would require a replacement. Learn about the durability of wood in its different kinds from the Janka Hardness Chart. It would help you in determining the better and more durable choice for hardwood. You can also visit wood flooring hardness chart from the National Wood Flooring Association to learn more about the durability.
Versatility
There is no second thought on the versatility factor. As it has already been discussed in the previous section that there are a number of species with different textures, colors, and hardness attributes. All of these attributes contribute to defining the versatility of hardwood. It looks equally elegant in the modern kitchen as well as in a traditional farmhouse kitchen reconceptualized.
Softer & Warmer Than Tile
Though the wood is softer as compared to a tile, yet it could be made to act harder enough to withstand the weights of heavy items placed upon it. Furthermore, using hardwood instead of tile gives you another advantage that it is warmer than the tile. In the colder regions, wood flooring is preferred over ceramic or concrete tiles due to its attribute of having higher specific heat values. Tile is colder and harder than wood, but that’s nothing that a few strategically placed area rugs can’t fix.
The cons of wood floors in the kitchen
Besides its positive attributes, hardwood flooring also has some negative aspects that may lead you to opt for other options instead of hardwood. Or even make you replace an existing hardwood flooring with some alternate flooring option if you are planning on the refurbishing of your kitchen floor.
Cost
Cost of hardwood flooring is relatively higher than other alternatives. Individual hardwood planks cost between $4 to $12 per square foot. In addition to that, the labor cost for wood flooring is also higher than other types of flooring due to the onsite laborious work required to be done during installation.
Vulnerability
Yes, a well-maintained hardwood floor will last for more than a century. However, they are prone to denting and scratching – especially if they’re a softer wood species, like fir or yellow pine. Then, there is the aforementioned sensitivity to water. If you live in a busy household – or in one that easily disregards the need for immediate spills or leaks – wood may not be the best option. Once a section of hardwood warps, splits or moulds, the entire section must be ripped out and replaced.
Maintenance
Wood flooring usually requires maintenance more often than other flooring types. To keep the wood floor looking as elegant as ever, and protect it from wear and tear, it should be sanded and refinished every 10 years. This process takes several days and also costs heavily. This point must be considered in the long term.
The Hardness Factor
Although the hardwood planks are softer than the tiles or stained concrete, yet they are harder than vinyl, cork or linoleum. Thus, if you are seeking a much softer alternative for flooring in your kitchen than you should perhaps go for other options instead of wood and tile.
