Reasons to put hardwood flooring in your kitchen

Solid oak flooring and engineered oak flooring have been considered as timeless flooring examples for all types of houses. However, given the wide number of advantages, these floorings are the natural choices for all types of rooms. Does this mean you can install hardwood flooring having high moisture areas, like bathrooms and kitchens also?

Let’s read on to understand the feasibility of installing hardwood flooring in such areas.

Kitchens might not have a lot of moisture in the air; however, this does not negate the fact that these are completely moisture-free. Kitchens are usually ridden with water spillages, along with a lot of other water problems. Imagine a situation when you are at work and your kitchen sink begins to leak in your absence. This might not sound too big a deal, but it will create a big difference to your hardwood flooring.

Cons of using hardwood flooring in your kitchen

• Vulnerability: A well-maintained hardwood flooring will last for years to come. However, one can’t forget the fact that hardwood flooring is prone to denting and scratching, especially if you end up using pine or fir wood in your kitchens. If the wooden flooring is exposed to waterlogging, you might want to end up changing the whole flooring. Wooden flooring, when exposed to long periods of waterlogging, will expand and become unusable eventually. This simply translates into heavy expenses, as you end up spending a lot more than you had initially planned on your flooring.
• Maintenance: Hardwood flooring needs regular maintenance if it is to retain its natural shine and glow. For this purpose, it needs to be sanded and refinished at regular intervals of time, so that hardwood flooring remains sturdy and glowing. While a lot of people prefer to do this on their own, it not advised to do so. Some things are best left to the experts.
• Hardwood flooring can’t handle excessive foot traffic: Hardwood flooring, even solid oak flooring and engineered oak flooring, is not equipped to handle excessive foot traffic over a period. If the floorings are exposed to regular heavy foot traffic, chances are the wear and tear would start showing on the floor’s surface eventually, making it look out of place.

Keeping all these things in mind, a tile or ceramic flooring is more apt for kitchens, since it is easy to clean and won’t be harmed, even with waterlogging. Heavy foot traffic is not a problem with such floors either, making them an apt solution for kitchens and other types of high moisture areas, like bathrooms. If possible, it is best to avoid solid oak flooring and engineered oak flooring in your kitchen areas.