Choosing the right flooring for your kitchen may seem like a difficult decision. Your choice will depend on your style preferences and practical considerations. After all, the kitchen is a high-traffic area that must be able to withstand the daily demands of a busy family. Considered by many to be the ultimate flooring option, hardwood never goes out of style. The following tips will help you choose the best hardwood flooring for your kitchen.
Why choose hardwood for your kitchen?
Few flooring surfaces can match the classic style and natural beauty of hardwood. With its unmatched warmth and visual appeal, hardwood flooring gives your home a timeless style. If you have an open floor plan, hardwood flooring will help you achieve a cohesive look. Many hardwood products are also durable and low maintenance.
Solid or Engineered
While solid hardwood is made using a single piece of wood, engineered hardwood consists of a hardwood veneer constructed over several layers of wood in a cross-grain configuration. Engineered hardwood is generally the preferred choice for kitchens because its construction provides increased dimensional stability.
Species
It’s important to select a hardwood species that ranks highly on the Janka Hardness Scale. Oak, Maple, and Hickory are some of the most durable domestic hardwood species used in the manufacturing of hardwood floors.
Texture and Finish
Choosing a floor with texture, such as hand scraped or wire brushed will make your floor look beautiful and unique while disguising any small dents or scratches that can happen in a high traffic area like the kitchen. Most of today’s hardwood finishes are suitable for kitchens. In general, the durable finishes on prefinished hardwood products will perform well in a kitchen and will stand up better over time than site-finished floors.
Upkeep
With a regular maintenance routine, you can prevent damage and keep your floors looking beautiful for a lifetime. Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines and be sure to wipe up spills immediately to prevent staining or moisture damage.
Tell us what you think! What issues need to be taken into consideration when choosing hardwood for kitchens?