These days, the kitchen is the hub of the home. It is where you cook, host visitors and carryout several other activities.
It is highly essential to consider the several options available for kitchen flooring and choose one that will best meet your requirements. Several homeowners prefer the warm tone, springy feel and innate beauty of hardwood flooring.
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Nevertheless, is hardwood flooring suitable for the kitchen? It’s true that it is prone to scratches and other damage, however with appropriate care, you can keep your kitchen hardwood floor looking great for a long time.
Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen: Pros and Cons
As with pretty much everything pertaining to home improvement, there are pros and cons, whether it’s materials or design.
Below we cover in detail both the advantages and disadvantages of hardwood flooring versus other flooring options in the kitchen.
Pros
Below are the 6 key advantages.
1. It is easy to maintain
If you install hardwood flooring in your kitchen, you will soon find out that they are extremely easy to clean and care for. The wood’s inherent properties make it resistant to stains and dirt. All that is required is regular vacuuming and moping using a damp mop or cloth. Be sure to read vacuum reviews to help you find a good vacuum cleaner for hardwood floor. Furthermore, unlike carpet, wood does not fade thus you can be sure your floor will look new for a very long time.
2. It looks GREAT
This is the biggest reason to use hardwood in the kitchen. It undeniably looks fabulous.
Moreover, it comes in a wide variety of color and grain patterns. This means everyone can find a hardwood type to suit their requirements. Also, if you ever get tired of the look of your current floor, it can easily be sanded as well as refinished to give it a different color. The versatility of hardwood flooring makes it ideal for any type of interior design you can think of.
3. It is health-friendly
Wood does not trap debris and other dirt in the manner carpet does. What this means is that the air within your kitchen will typically be cleaner and fresher. This is particularly important for individuals who suffer from respiratory ailments or allergies and require constant clean air within and around their homes.
4. Increase your house value
USA Today survey revealed that 54% home buyers willing to pay more for the houses that have hardwood floor. Aside from that, most prospective buyers find hardwood flooring extremely attractive. This can make it easier to sell your property quickly and for more money in the event that you wish to do so.
5. It is durable
Hardwood is strong and solid. It is fairly resistant to scratches and dents, which can occur as a result of daily use. If you accidentally drop a heavy item such as furniture on your hardwood floor, you can be sure that it will withstand the impact. You can simply see the different durability between carpet and hardwood floor by looking at the warranty program of companies. While most of the carpet companies only guarantee their carpet to last for 10 years, a lot of hardwood floor companies such as Bellawood provides up to 100 years limited warranty.
6. It is versatile
Hardwood is an exceptionally versatile flooring material. It comes in a range of grains, stains and styles. Every hardwood piece has a distinct personality. What this means is that every homes gets a distinct appearance as far as flooring goes.
Cons
1. It requires constant cleaning
Even though hardwood flooring is relatively simple to care for, it needs to be cleaned frequently. Spills should be wiped up once they occur, and be sure to vacuum your floor frequently.
2. It is costly
Compared to other flooring options, hardwood floors are quite costly. This is especially so if you opt for hardwood that is produced from teak, rosewood or some other exotic wood.
3. Hardwood can be vulnerable
Your hardwood flooring will certainly last a long time if it is well taken care of. However, if your hardwood flooring is made from softer wood species such as yellow pine or fir, then it will be vulnerable to scratching and denting.
TIP: Invest in really good hardwood. We have two types in our home. One room has high-quality oak while the other rooms have a lower cost, softer wood. The high quality oak is impenetrable short of hitting it with an axe (and it’s over 30 years old). The lower cost wood is scratched all over the place. Fortunately the high quality wood is in the kids’ playroom where it takes unbelievable abuse 🙂 .
4. Hardwood is prone to water damage
Even when sealed, hardwood is susceptible to water damage. Thus, if you have hardwood flooring in your kitchen, you need to be very cautious regarding leaks from appliances like dishwashers and refrigerators. Water can cause a plank to warp and split, thereby reducing its lifespan. Tips for caring for your hardwood floor
5. Lots of sweeping
In fact, it is recommended that you sweep it twice daily. While this is recommended, I can tell you I don’t do this… not even close. I’ll take my chances. Make sure you utilize soft-bristled broom when sweeping to prevent scratching your floor. Water should never be used to clean hardwood floors because water can cause it to warp or buckle. If you need to remove spilled food on the floor, first use a dry cloth or mop to wipe off the food and then utilize a suitable floor cleaner to clean your floor.
3 Hardwood Floor Maintenance Tips
1. Rugs and Mats
You can prolong the life of your hardwood floor by placing coverings, for example soft cotton rugs, on areas that have high traffic such as entryways and front of your kitchen sink. Floor mats can also be placed on entryways to prevent mud from getting on your hardwood floor.
2. Finish
Consider investing in a stain that is suitable for the particular kind of hardwood floor installed in your kitchen. This is especially important if you have kids, as they tend to spill foods and drinks from their plates and cups when eating. If you are not certain about the right stain remover to select, you should seek for the help and assistance of an expert. Furthermore, it is best to clean spills and stains once they occur, otherwise they will produce a deep impression on your floor, which cannot easily be removed.
3. Cleaning Tools (Beware)
Also, such cleaners are fitted with brush rolls that have rubber wheels and soft bristles to prevent scratching or damaging the floor’s surface. Pet dander and hair can make your floor look lifeless and dull if not removed on time. Therefore, if you have pets in your home, make sure you buy a cleaner that is sufficiently efficient to pick up dander and hair particles. Vacuum reviews can be an excellent way to get some buying advice, however always read with caution to ensure the reviews you read are reliable.
Should you get hardwood in the kitchen?
Yes, yes, yes!!! The pros outweigh the cons big time as far as I’m concerned. While we have vinyl flooring, we’ much prefer hardwood. We have hardwood throughout the rest of the house and even our two boys haven’t destroyed it yet, especially the higher grade hardwood.