Hardwood Floors in the Kitchen – What’s the Deal?

When you think of kitchen flooring, do you think of hardwood? Hardwood isn’t most people’s first thought for a kitchen floor, but it can actually make for a great kitchen floor. That being said, you might need to be a little more careful with a wood floor in the kitchen than you would be with another kind of flooring. Still, if you’re considering installing a hardwood floor in the kitchen, know that it can be done, and many people have had great success with hardwood flooring in the kitchen. In this week’s blog, we’ll talk about what you need to know if you’re thinking about installing hardwood flooring in your kitchen.

What You Need to Know About Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen

You’ll need to be extra careful about water.

There’s a lot of water in the kitchen. Water from the dishwasher drips onto the floor. Water from the sink splashes onto the floor. And water in the air can be absorbed by the floor, causing a moisture imbalance that results in warping, cupping, and buckling.

To guard against moisture damage, put mats in front of the dishwasher, sink, and other areas where water might get onto the floor. Be sure to clean up any spills as soon as they happen. And try to keep the relative humidity levels in the kitchen between 40-50%. Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air if necessary.

You’ll need to guard against dents and scratches.

The kitchen is a demanding environment. You’ll have to be extra careful when handling things in the kitchen to prevent drops that could dent or scratch the floor. Also, make sure all furniture in the kitchen has felt feet to prevent it from scratching the floor when it is moved.

Clean often.

Once all the cooking activity is finished, the results often settle on the floor in the form of small particles. Make sure to be proactive about cleaning your wood floor to keep it looking beautiful.

Consider engineered hardwood.

Engineered hardwood is made of a layer of solid hardwood on top of 3 other layers of composite wood. Engineered hardwood is more resistant to moisture problems and is often recommended for use in the kitchen over solid hardwood.

How to Choose the Best Hardwood Flooring for a Kitchen

Since hardwood flooring in the kitchen has very specific requirements, you’ll know exactly what to look for when comparing your options. The best hardwood flooring for a kitchen needs to be resilient – in most homes the kitchen is the most traversed area in the house. You’ll also need to look for something that is resistant to moisture. Here, you may have a little bit of leeway, but keep in mind that you may need to be on top of any and all spills that occur in the kitchen.

As mentioned above, engineered hardwood makes a compelling case for being the best hardwood flooring for a kitchen environment. It is durable, able to withstand a lot of traffic, and resists moisture very well. Engineered hardwood is available in a variety of styles that can fit into a wide array of kitchen aesthetics.

If you decide against engineered hardwood, however, you still have some options available. Opt against using prefinished hardwood, which typically have slightly beveled edges where moisture can seep in, ruining your floor from the inside out. Unfinished hardwood, on the other hand, makes a much better option as it lacks this beveled edge. If you sand, stain, and seal the unfinished wood floor planks after installation, it will provide good protection for the flooring and make it better suited for the rigors of the kitchen.

Hardwood flooring in a kitchen can be tough to pull off – not because it doesn’t look great, but because it needs to withstand a lot of rigorous use. However, professional wood floor companies like Signature can help make your vision a reality and outfit you with the best hardwood flooring for your kitchen.

Contact the flooring experts at Signature Hardwood Floors, Inc. by calling 410.415.0755 or click here today! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!