Many homeowners have heard that wood doesn’t belong with kitchen flooring options, yet they are also seeing wood flooring in kitchens in the homes of friends and in designer’s showcases. If wood and kitchens don’t mix, why is wood flooring trending in kitchen flooring options? The truth is that wood flooring can be a great option for your new kitchen with the right installation and care.
Wood does have the reputation of not being the best choice for a kitchen, and while that doesn’t mean that kitchen flooring options shouldn’t include wood, there is some truth to these concerns. Wood and water don’t mix. When wood is allowed to become saturated, it can swell, warp, and split. A small dishwasher, sink, or refrigerator leak or malfunction can damage wood floors. Kitchens are high traffic areas at a much bigger risk for spills and leaks, and damage can be expensive to remedy. However, with the right treatment and vigilance, these concerns can be addressed.
Even with the potential risks, wood flooring is currently trending in kitchen flooring options. The beauty of hardwood flooring is hard to ignore. If you have hardwood in other areas of your home, using hardwood in the kitchen as well can help provide a seamless look throughout your home, particularly if you have an open floor plan. Wood has a warm, soft feel which is far more comfortable than hard tile, especially under bare feet. Wood is an attractive choice for nearly every home style and can work with nearly every style of décor. Using wood as your kitchen flooring is a very stylish choice.
The first step to caring for wood flooring in the kitchen is to make sure that you are vigilant about day-to-day care. Make sure that all spills are cleaned properly and that liquid is not given the opportunity to sit on the floor. All crumbs and dust should be cleaned daily with a soft cotton dust mop or sweeper. Make sure to use cleaner appropriate for wooden flooring and avoid using any steam mops. Padding on the bottom of kitchen furniture will help avoid scratches, and rugs and floor mats can protect the floor in high traffic areas. In addition to daily care, wood flooring in the kitchen will need to be sealed at regular intervals to ensure that it won’t be easily damaged.
When you are looking for kitchen flooring options, wood can and should be considered as one of those options. While tile, laminate, and vinyl are all traditional options for the kitchen, there are definite advantages to including wood flooring. When making your flooring decision, consider how much upkeep you can commit to, how prone your family is to spills, and how vigilant you are about upkeep of your appliances. When considering wood flooring options, select a variety of wood flooring that is hardy enough for high impact traffic. The harder the wood, the better it will stand up to the use in the kitchen. Hickory and walnut come highly recommended.
Wood flooring, with the right installation, care, and upkeep, can be an excellent kitchen flooring option for your new kitchen. While moisture is always a concern for wood, the beauty and benefits of wood flooring can make the upkeep and precautions well worth the effort. When looking at your kitchen flooring options, speak with your contractor about wood flooring in the kitchen. With the right installation, it can be just the thing for your kitchen design. If you’re considering a kitchen renovation this year, let’s talk about all of your flooring options including wood. Contact All-Nu Construction today!