Should You Have Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen?
Hardwood is a popular flooring choice for many homeowners in many areas throughout the home. However, is hardwood flooring in the kitchen as desirable or functional compared to other rooms? While there are many pros to adding hardwood flooring in the kitchen, there are several factors to consider before installing it. Here are just a few.
3 Things to Consider Before Installing Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen
Hardwood floors are considered an idealistic, high-end material for home flooring options. So much so that homeowners often install it to raise their home’s overall value, especially when selling. However, it can also be a very finicky material to work with. Here are a few things to consider:
1. Hardwood Floors and Moisture Don’t Mix
One of the biggest concerns with having hardwood in the kitchen is the potential for spilling liquids on the floor. Unlike other materials, liquids can be easily absorbed into the wood if not cleaned up promptly and correctly.
While the occasional drop of water won’t necessarily ruin your hardwood floors, other catastrophes can lead to significant damages. For instance, major appliances such as the sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator have the potential to spring a leak. Often times, this may go unnoticed for some period of time. Unfortunately, this can lead to significant damage as your wooden floors absorb all of that moisture. Thus, leading to warped/cracking floorboards and mold and mildew buildup underneath.
2. Kitchens are High-Traffic and Require More Maintenance
The kitchen is an essential room of the home. And it receives some of the most foot traffic throughout the day. As such, if you’re considering hardwood flooring in the kitchen, you should be aware of the maintenance that goes into keeping your floors looking their best. This includes the following:
- Cleaning sticky messes ASAP with a damp cleaning cloth
- Using a vacuum designed for hardwood flooring or using a soft floor nozzle attachment
- Sweeping debris away with a soft-bristled, angled broom, etc.
The more preventative maintenance you do, the better your floors will look in the long run.
3. The Overall Design of Your Kitchen
Finally, it’s wise to consider the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. While it may not seem as important, your kitchen’s overall design can be impacted by the wrong flooring choice. For instance, many individuals love hardwood flooring because of its deep, rich colors, often in darker browns and reds. But, if you have a lighter and brighter kitchen design, a dark hardwood floor may not fit in very well. On the other hand, there are many floorboard options in nearly any color you can imagine, including finishing shades in grey and white options.
The Final Consensus: Do Hardwood Floors Belong in the Kitchen?
So—is hardwood flooring in the kitchen something that you should consider? Absolutely! There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right style. Many of which are designed with moisture and common maintenance issues in mind. And, with a variety of hardwoods and plank sizes available, you’re sure to find one that fits your kitchen’s aesthetics. Overall, with the proper installation and maintenance, hardwood flooring in the kitchen can be an excellent option for your home.
Elite Has the Answers You Need
Here at Elite Hardwood Flooring, we understand that there are plenty of questions regarding hardwood flooring, its sustainability, and how to keep it looking like new. Our professional team consists of installation experts, and we offer dustless sanding and refinishing to help keep your floors looking like new. No problem is out of reach for our team! Still have questions? Then, contact us today, and we’ll get you the answers you need!
