Hardwood floors look stunning, they are easy to clean, and they can instantly add some value to any home. But is a hardwood floor the right type of flooring for a kitchen?
Hardfloor floors can be perfect for a kitchen, but maybe not for every kitchen. If you have a very busy kitchen with a floor that often welcomes spills, or if your plumbing system is prone to leaking, you might want to consider an alternative.
However, if you know you can keep your floor clean and dry, and if you are ready to take good care of it, a beautiful hardwood floor could be a great option for your kitchen.
Even if adding value to your home is not one of your main concerns, there are many reasons why a hardwood floor could be perfect for your kitchen. If you’re currently looking for the right flooring option for your kitchen, let’s compare the pros and cons of hardwood floor in a kitchen:
1. Natural wood looks beautiful and inviting
The pros and cons of hardwood floor in kitchen have been a debate for many year now. Most who argue about placing it in the kitchen can’t deny that the natural wood is beautiful, and hardwood floor planks are manufactured to enhance its beauty. They come in different colours, and their wood grains create different patterns that will make each plank unique.
Engineered hardwood flooring looks warm and inviting, and they can easily transform the look of any room. Hardwood can even be stained if necessary, although some species of wood will take stain much better than others.
2. Hardwood floors can match any decor
Installing hardwood floor is a big investment, but since this flooring option is versatile enough to match any decor, there will be no need to replace your floor in 5 or 10 years.
Whether your kitchen has a modern or a traditional style, hardwood floor will look great in it. And if you want to remodel your kitchen in a few years, your hardwood floor should still look great if you take good care of it.
3. Hardwood floors are durable and easy to clean
Your hardwood floor will last for many years if you maintain it well. Hardwood floor is surprisingly easy to clean: you can simply sweep or vacuum it regularly. If you spill something on it, wipe it up as quickly as possible, and forget about it.
If your hardwood floor gets scratched, it’s even possible to repair it by sanding the damaged area and refinishing it.
4. Hardwood floors are warmer and softer than tile floors
Since tile floors can’t get damaged by water, they are a popular choice for kitchens. However, tiles are cold and hard, and this could be a problem for you if you stand in place for a long time while you cook or do the dishes.
Of course, you can solve this problem with a few area rugs. But you can also solve it by installing hardwood floor instead, since wood is warmer and softer than tiles.
5. Hardwood floors can get damaged by water and moisture
Even though hardwood floors have a lot of pros, there are also some things you have to be aware of before you start shopping for a hardwood floor, as it might not be perfect for just any kitchen. Hardwood floor is durable, but only if you take good care of it. Any spill that isn’t cleaned up quickly could stain the floor or damage it. If a water leak goes unnoticed, the water and the moisture will certainly ruin your hardwood floor.
When hardwood planks get damaged by excessive moisture, they will warp or get moldy, and it will be necessary to replace them.
6. Hardwood floors are susceptible to scratches and dents
Even though hardwood is softer than tiles, it’s harder than some other types of flooring. But hardwood floor, especially if it’s made from a softer species of wood, is still susceptible to scratches and dents.
Even though scratches can get repaired, it requires a lot of work. If your kitchen has a lot of traffic, or if you have pets that could scratch the floor with their claws, hardwood might not be the best option for you.
7. Hardwood floors require maintenance
Your hardwood floor will stay beautiful for a long time, as long as you maintain it properly. As well as keeping it clean and moisture free, you will have to sand and refinish it every 10 years.
This process is long and complex, and it might be better to hire experienced professionals to take care of it.
8. Hardwood floors can be expensive
Depending on the type of wood you choose, your hardwood floor could quickly become expensive, especially if you have a big kitchen.
Plus, unless you have experience installing and finishing hardwood flooring, you will have to hire professionals to take care of the installation for you.
