Hardwood is regarded as one of the most desirable flooring materials because it has natural beauty, appealing warmth and durability. That being said, wood flooring is also known for being a poor choice for moist locations. Heat and moisture in the environment can cause wood to discolour, warp, swell and shrink. This often raises the question: Are wood floors suitable for kitchens? Due to the activities that take place in a kitchen, floors are often more exposed to the elements than they would be if they were in a living room or a bedroom. But they are not as exposed to moisture as they would be in a bathroom. It may be possible to install hardwood flooring in your kitchen, however, this depends on the nature of the household. There are many considerations to take into account when deciding whether or not to have a wood floor in your kitchen.
Activity
Even though hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting, an active lifestyle and a crowded household may not be best suited for wood floors in the kitchen. The more people you have walking in and out of your kitchen, the more wear damage your floor will take. If there are lots of people coming and going from your house and the kitchen, this will lead to scratches, dents and other wear and tear over time.
Positioning
If the kitchen is placed in an area where people will be coming from gardens, garages or other areas where they will pick up dirt and dust and bring it into your kitchen, a wooden floor is not advised for this room. The dampness and the dirt particles can cause harm to the surface of the floor.
Family type
Pets with sharp nails can scratch wood floors and fur can pile up. It can take just a few months for a wood floor to look worn out just from the scratches caused by dog nails. Children may also be prone to dropping dishes and utensils, spilling food or drinks and dragging furniture around. These can all cause dents and serious damage to your wood floor.
Alternatives
Laminate floors are a popular alternative to real wood floors. They look increasingly realistic and have a protective scratch-resistant layer that can be easily cleaned if done quickly. It is also indentation-resistant with a high-density or medium-density fibreboard core. This means that the floor is protected against dropped objects. Laminate floors can create a similar warm impression that a real wood floor manifests. Our laminate flooring with Aqua+ technology provides a water-resistant flooring solution that is up to five times more resistant to water swelling than a standard laminate and offers a lifetime guarantee in residential applications. This type of wood flooring would give your kitchen floor the extra protection it may need from spills, stains and water damage. Check our Aqua+ floors here.
So, is hardwood flooring a good choice for your kitchen? Hardwood flooring is a good choice for your kitchen if you are willing to be diligent about caring for it, and want the appeal of natural flooring material. It will be a less successful choice if you have a busy or messy family. The best flooring for a kitchen is one that has the visual appearance and feel you prefer, and suits your household and lifestyle in terms of durability and maintenance.