Let’s talk kitchen flooring! So, we all know tile, vinyl, and old school linoleum, right? But have you considered hardwood flooring? It may not be the go-to choice this year, but don’t dismiss it just yet. With some proper TLC, wood flooring can give a classic look and add a touch of style to your kitchen that you simply won’t get from those other flooring options.
In this blog post we’ll dive into the details of using hardwood floors in kitchen, talk about why hardwood flooring could be just the thing your kitchen area décor needs, and we’ll also explore different types of hardwood flooring options.
Our goal is to go over all of the top level important information that you need to know before deciding if hardwood flooring is the way to go for your kitchen. Ready to dive in? let’s get started!
Main Hardwood Flooring Options
Hardwood flooring can be a great choice for many kitchens, but it’s important to weigh the options before deciding whether or not to use it in YOUR kitchen. There are generally two main types of hardwood flooring to choose from, solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Both types can add a warmth to your kitchen, and complement a wide range of décor styles.
You’ve probably heard people say that wood floors in a kitchen is a big no-no, but is that really the case? Hardwood floors nowadays can be durable, long-lasting, and easy to clean, making it a practical choice for busy kitchens but with so many different wood flooring options on the market, it’s no wonder that there is a lot of confusion around how they would work in a kitchen setting.
So, let’s take a minute to go over the main options and decide which one best suits your kitchen needs.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood, as the name suggests, is made entirely of real wood from top to bottom. It’s actual hardwood, real genuine hardwood, offering homeowners the unique charm and warmth that only natural wood flooring can provide. Solid wood flooring is available in a wide range of species, but the most popular species that we see are red oak, white oak, maple, and ash.
Real hardwood flooring has been featured in homes and kitchens for decades, and is still very popular in certain areas of the country.
Nowadays most hardwood flooring is “pre-finished”, meaning it comes with a protective top coat and a color that’s ready to go. This saves time and effort on installation and ensures that with proper care your new floors will look great for years to come.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
The top layer of engineered wood floors are made of real wood, with either multiple thin sheets of plywood, other types of solid wood, or composite wood glued together underneath. With the thin layer construction, each layer is positioned perpendicular to the one above or below it and this unique construction makes it much more stable than natural solid hardwood, which can be susceptible to warping or cupping over time in humid environments.
Engineered hardwood is a relatively new wood flooring option that was developed to deal with moisture and humidity better than solid hardwood, making it ideal for most kitchens.
It’s also significantly lower maintenance than solid hardwood and comes pre-colored and pre-finished. In fact, in most areas of the country, it’s the most popular option offered by flooring companies because of its ability to handle moisture, its lower maintenance, and its ability to be sold in larger planks, which have been a trendy design style lately.
Benefits of Hardwood Floors in a Kitchen
Warmer: Hardwood floors provide a warmer surface underfoot compared to other flooring options, such as ceramic tile or vinyl.
Beauty: Hardwood floors offer a natural variations and warmth that other flooring options cannot replicate. They showcase unique wood grain patterns and knots of the wood, giving an elegant and timeless look.
Complements Multiple Décor Styles: Hardwood floors come in a variety of wood species, stains, and finishes, making it easy to find a solid and engineered wood flooring style that complements almost any décor style, be it traditional or modern.
Easy To Clean: Hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain with regular sweeping, vacuuming, and occasional mopping with a damp cloth and approved wood floor cleaner. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors do not trap dust, dirt, or allergens, making them a healthier choice for your home.
The Durability of Hardwood Floors in the Kitchen
Now that we’ve covered the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring, there are several important things to consider when deciding whether to install them in your kitchen.
While we won’t be able to cover everything there is to know about hardwood flooring in this post, the information we do provide should serve as a good starting point to help you decide if hardwood flooring is right for your kitchen.
So with that being said, lets start with the issue that is probably the most debated issue when it comes to hardwood flooring, and that is “Durability”.
Many people worry that wood floors are prone to scratches and damage, but with high-quality wood and proper installation and care, wood floors can be very durable and able to withstand the daily wear and tear of a busy kitchen.
How Durable are Hardwood Floors Over Time
The durability of your hardwood kitchen floor depends on several factors and a big factor to consider is the climate where you live and the temperature fluctuations that you would see on a yearly basis.
When exposed to moisture and temperature changes, wood naturally wants to expand and contract, which can cause problems for wood flooring in the long run. With solid hardwood flooring in particular this can lead to issues like separating joints or warping, which is why solid hardwood is generally not recommended for kitchen floors.
BUT on the other hand, that’s precisely why engineered wood floors were created – to have less movement in the wood, which means less opportunity for failure and other issues. It’s made up of multiple layers of wood that are cross-directionally stacked and glued together which makes it much less likely to react with moisture or temperature changes.
So if you live in an area with lots of humidity or big temperature changes, engineered hardwood floors are generally considered the best choice for your kitchen. It provides the same beauty and warmth of solid hardwood without the risk of damage or failure.
The Truth About Water and Hardwood Floors in Kitchens
There is a common misconception that hardwood floors cannot handle water, and that any kind of moisture will inevitably lead to damage and warping. However, this is not entirely true.
The fact is that the real danger to wood floors is when water is allowed to sit on the surface of the wood for an extended period of time, which can occur due to leaks, flooding, or excessive cleaning where water accumulates on the floors for a long time.
When this happens, the water can seep into wood floors and cause them to swell and warp, which can be very difficult to repair. However, if spills are wiped up quickly and the surface of the wood floors are kept dry, there should be no lasting damage.
This means that if you have hardwood floors in your kitchen, you don’t need to worry about spills or moisture from regular kitchen use. Simply wipe up any spills as soon as they occur, and avoid leaving standing water on the floor for any length of time.
With proper care and maintenance, your hardwood floors can look beautiful and last for many years to come.
Spills on Hardwood Floors: Is Your Flooring in Danger?
Contrary to popular belief, hardwood floors in regular kitchens can handle spills and water quite well. When spills happen, it’s important to clean them up as quickly as possible but even if you do have a spill, good flooring will handle it fine as long as it is properly cleaned up.
The protective coat that’s applied to quality hardwood floors helps to repel moisture so that the wood isn’t affected. The better the quality of the protective top coat, the more likely your floors will stay in great condition for many years. It’s also important to note that when it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, you should avoid using heavy-duty cleaners like industrial strength cleaners.
These types of cleaners can wear away at the protective coating or cause a chemical reaction that can make the protective coat cloudy instead of clear and glossy.
It’s best to use dry cleaning utensils like brooms or vacuums with a hard floor setting to pick up any dirt or debris. Wet cleaning is also an option as long as it’s done in moderation to avoid soaking the wood.
Should you Refinish or Refresh your Hardwood Floor?
Can you Refinish Engineered Hardwood?
The answer is Yes, but…..only if it’s thick enough.
The top layer of engineered wood floors are usually very thin, which means that sanding down into that top layer can change the character of the wood. This means that the wood grain and natural beauty of the wood flooring could be altered, and it’s possible to sand too far and cause permanent damage to the top layer of the planks. Before considering a refinishing job, it’s important to determine the thickness of the wear layer of the planks to know whether or not it’s thick enough to withstand the sanding process. If the wear layer is too thin, then refinishing may not be possible or advisable.
Also, if there are deep scratches, dents, or other damage to the planks, refinishing may not be the best option because deep sanding is needed to remove that type of damage.
Refinishing an engineered hardwood floor is possible, but it’s important to approach the process with caution and careful planning. Consult with a professional to assess the overall condition of the floor and determine whether refinishing is a viable option.
Can you Refinish Solid Hardwood Floors?
The answer is Yes.
Refinishing a solid hardwood floor offers more flexibility than refinishing engineered hardwood floors. While it still has its limitations, solid hardwood flooring can generally be refinished multiple times throughout its lifespan. In fact, flooring experts generally say that it’s possible to refinish a solid hardwood floor about 2-4 times during the course of its lifespan
One of the benefits of solid wood flooring is that it’s 1 solid piece of wood which means it can generally be sanded down multiple times without running the risk of sanding too far into the wood. This makes refinishing a solid hardwood floor much more forgiving than an engineered wood floor.
Keep In Mind
It’s important to take into account the overall condition of the flooring. For example, if the floor has deep gouges or warping, it may need to be replaced rather than refinished.
Screen and Recoat Instead of Refinishing
Screening and recoating a hardwood floor can be a more practical and less expensive alternative to refinishing. This is because one of the most common reasons wood flooring needs attention is due to the protective clear coat wearing down over time. A simple screening and recoating can restore the shine and protection to the surface without the need for extensive sanding and refinishing.
If the floor is in good condition and has only minor scratches or discoloration, then recoating the floor should be the preferable choice. This process requires less time, effort, and money than a full refinishing job. It involves lightly sanding the surface with special screens, then applying a new layer of topcoat to protect the wood and create a fresh, even finish.
In addition to being cost-effective, screening and recoating is also less disruptive to the household. Unlike refinishing, which can require multiple days for the stain and topcoat to dry, recoating can usually be completed in just one or two days.
Engineered Hardwood is the Better Option
When it comes to choosing between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring for a kitchen, in our opinion, the answer to the million-dollar question is that engineered hardwood flooring is the best wood flooring option.
Here’s why:
Durability: Engineered hardwood flooring features a top layer of real wood, just like solid hardwood, making it just as durable. The difference is that it has a stable core made of layers of wood or fiberboard, making it more resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
Moisture Resistance: Unlike solid wood flooring, engineered wood is specifically designed to withstand moisture and temperature fluctuations. This makes it less likely to warp, cup, or buckle due to changes in humidity or spills over time.
Style Options: Because of the way engineered hardwood is made, there are a wide variety of colors and styles available. This means you can find an engineered wood floor that will fit great with your kitchen design.
Low Maintenance: Engineered hardwood flooring is generally easier to maintain than solid hardwood floors. It doesn’t require the same level of upkeep or refinishing over time, making it a good option for busy homeowners who want beautiful flooring without all the work.
What About Scratches and Dents?
Scratches and dents are two common issues that many homeowners may face, but there are factors that can impact how well your hardwood kitchen floor can withstand them.
Scratches – Scratches can be a concern with any hardwood floor in high traffic areas, but the quality of the clear topcoat used on the hardwood makes a big difference. Some topcoats are harder than others, and the cheaper, more economical topcoats used by some flooring companies are more vulnerable to scratches from kids, pets, and kitchen utensils. So, if you have the opportunity, choosing a higher quality topcoat can help protect your flooring from unsightly scratches.
Dents – Dents on the other hand, are impacted by the hardness of the wood itself. The Janka Scale measures the hardness of the wood, with higher numbers indicating harder floors. Choosing a hardwood with a higher Janka rating can help ensure that your kitchen floor is less prone to dents and other forms of impact damage.
Keep In Mind
When it comes to the question of whether engineered hardwood or solid hardwood is better against scratches and dents, both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood made from the same species of wood will have similar levels of durability.
It’s recommended to consult with a flooring vendor who can provide options that address both the hardness of the wood and the quality of the topcoat. They can also advise on the best cleaning and maintenance practices to keep your floor looking its best for years to come.
Conclusion
Wood floors in a kitchen can be a great choice for any homeowner looking for a classic and durable flooring option. While there are some concerns, like water damage, scratches and dents, selecting the right kind of hardwood, topcoat, and finish for your kitchen can help ensure your floors remain beautiful and perform great for years to come.
