Hardwood floors are viewed as one of the most sought-after flooring options, and they generally raise the value of a house. Although it’s widely known by knowledgeable people, hardwood floors require quite a bit of upkeep and are not suitable for wet environments. Certain flooring manufacturers proclaim that the original coatings applied in their factories make their items resistant to water, however it is worth mentioning that they should never be referred to as entirely waterproof. Hardwood can be stained by moisture, and the fibers can increase in size, resulting in buckling of the entire floor. Producers always advise against the utilization of hardwood in regions that are expected to be humid, and even installing it on concrete slabs has some doubt since dampness can travel through the concrete.
There is a degree of ambiguity about kitchens since these spaces can be seen as somewhat damp or sporadically damp. It is conceivable to use hardwood for floor covering, however a lot relies upon the kind of home you maintain. A household with lots of activity or a floor plan that takes visitors right into the kitchen from the pool deck or garage is likely not ideal for having a hardwood floor. Giving thought to installing wooden floors in the kitchen? You need to be mindful of the security measures that need to be taken along with the additional features of hardwood which could lead you to abandon the plan.
Types of Hardwood Flooring
The price, upkeep, and setup of hardwood flooring can fluctuate based on the particular type that is being installed. Hardwood flooring commonly found in kitchens and other areas can typically be classified into a few different categories.
Solid unfinished planks
Securing strong hardwood boards and then applying a dye and coating to the surface before placement delivers the most efficacious wood flooring for a kitchen. This installation should be designed so that the boards fit flush against each other, and the entire area is then coated with a sealer that completely blocks out any potential water or staining agents. Solid hardwood planks have a great advantage: they can be sanded and refurbished many times throughout the life of the floor. It is not unheard of for hardwood floors to have a life span of up to one hundred years. This is the ideal type of hardwood to use for kitchen areas, even though it has become difficult to find.
Solid prefinished planks
A number of makers now supply ready-finished solid hardwood boards, which cut down on some of the extra effort involved in laying a floor. Unfinished flooring has been overtaken by prefinished flooring as the top choice. The planks are prepped and ready for use as soon as they arrive from the factory; there isn’t any further sanding, sealing, staining, or finishing required from the installer. However, it can be problematic to have prefinished hardwood flooring with slightly beveled edges in kitchens.
Engineered planks
This flooring is composed of a thin surface layer of hardwood that is attached to a base made of plywood or medium-density fibreboard. This floor covering typically comes pre-finished, and it usually utilizes a “click-lock” setup where the boards connect along the sides. It is feasible to set the floor up without connecting it to the subfloor, allowing it to be situated as a “floating floor”. This type of hardwood is the most convenient for those who like to do DIY projects to set up. Engineered hardwood has a plywood core which makes it very dependable, and there are multiple varieties that would work with concrete slabs.
Reclaimed planks
More and more people are looking to make use of what has been recycled from hardwood floors, such as those that have been taken out of buildings such as factories, office spaces, and bowling alleys when they are destroyed. This alternative is highly attractive to anyone who is keen on sustainability in construction, since it works with recycled components. Larger towns and cities often have stores that sell products made from reused construction materials, such as the stores operated by Habitat for Humanity under the name ReStore. If the boards are fitted together securely and sealed correctly, utilizing reclaimed planks for your kitchen is an acceptable option.
Hardwood Flooring Cost
The price range of hardwood floors changes significantly depending on the kind of wood used and the grade of the material. To one’s surprise, there is not a massive gap in price between solid and engineered hardwoods. Although manufactured woods utilize a smaller amount of real hardwood, the production process is more complicated and expensive which compensates for it. These products offer a simpler setup procedure, making them worth the money for customers.
The expense of materials for natural wood flooring usually goes from five to ten dollars per square foot for standard native hardwoods, like oak, maple and cherry. Tropical hardwoods (mahogany, Brazilian walnut) cost $8 and up. The cost of engineered hardwood flooring can vary from $4 to $13 per square foot depending on the wood type, veneer thickness and finishing quality.
You can anticipate an extra cost of $6 to $12 per square foot for expert assembly in addition to the cost of supplies. The variety of expenses for work is determined by the local regulations for wages and the intricacy of the assignment. For instance, a floor installment that necessitates the elimination of an aged floor or structural enhancement will be more expensive than a floor layed on a ready subfloor.
Installation Costs
In addition to the cost of the wooden material, you should also consider the expense of the set-up. The normal price for putting in hardwood floors runs from about four-and-a-half to seven dollars per square foot. Our cost to install hardwood flooring report gives a much more in-depth review of all the variables; but here are specifics considerations for hardwood installation in your kitchen:
The installation cost of your kitchen will be higher if the layout is complex. If wood flooring needs to be trimmed around a kitchen island or go through multiple doorways, your contractor will need to add more to their quote to factor in the additional work.
It may seem surprising, but usually, the bigger the kitchen is, the cheaper it will be to install hardwood flooring. This is due to the fact that your contractor is taking into consideration expenses like travel expenses, installation, and tidying up – which typically stay the same regardless of the size of your kitchen.
If you need the prevailing kitchen floor taken out and/or the groundwork to be readied, it will raise the total cost of the set-up.
Maintenance and Repair
If the appropriate type of hardwood floor is set up and given the proper amount of sealing, the upkeep of a hardwood floor in the kitchen is quite straightforward. In kitchens, it is ideal to install flooring boards that are tightly fitted together, and to make sure it is sufficiently sealed to keep moisture from seeping in. In this case, upkeep is a straightforward cleaning task, involving sweeping and occasionally wiping surfaces with a cloth that is only slightly moist, or a product specifically for hardwood floors.
But if those necessary requirements are not fulfilled, the kitchen can be quite different with hardwood floors. Scratches, signs of the effects of vehicles driving on the surface, and other problems can weaken the coating that helps keep liquids out, potentially allowing them to penetrate and discolor the wood. Certain types of flooring are not ideal for use in kitchens. Some prefinished hardwood floorings have edges with cuts into them, forming channels which divert liquids away between the planks. It is rare for solid hardwood that has been given an uninterrupted coat of polyurethane to suffer from this issue.
Even though they are tough, these floors are easily scratched and will not stand up to the claws of animals, or simply over time. Be sure to select a hardwood flooring option that has the capability of being sanded and refinished. Most engineered hardwood flooring will not be as good an option as solid hardwood. Nonetheless, high-end engineered products featuring a heavy layer of veneer can be resurfaced. The refinishing process can vary from slightly abrading the surface finish to more intense sanding that takes off a small amount of wood tocover up scratches and damage. A new layer of varnish is then put on whatever the situation may be.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wood Floors in a Kitchen
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of having wooden flooring in kitchens. The last part of this includes giving advice and ideas if you are pondering the idea of setting up wooden floors in your kitchen.
Pros of Wood Floors in Kitchens
Lots of Options
The kitchen can be adorned with several varieties of hardwood and various styles, all with a stunning natural look.
Consistency
In a residence that has one large open space, keeping a consistent look with wood flooring in the kitchen helps tie everything together with the same hardwood material being used in the other rooms.
Competitively priced
Wood flooring is more economical than tile and concrete that is polished, and it can be comparable to LVT when the materials and installation are factored in. DIY installation is easier than tile and concrete too.
Longevity and Value
Kitchen hardwood floors are a great investment in the long term, providing lasting value for up to 100 years and attracting potential homebuyers.
Warmer than tile
Hardwood flooring in the kitchen has a warmer feel, and is gentler on the feet compared to stone and ceramic tile, which can be uncomfortable if you need to stand for a long time while prepping and cleaning up.
Easy to clean
Wood kitchen floors are easily maintained.
Not very problematic
A correctly sealed wooden surface can prevent staining and water harm, and kitchens are not as untidy and damp as they are often thought of.
Cons of Wood Floors in Kitchens
Water Damage
Leaking pipes or appliances that are left for an extended period of time will most likely cause damage to hardwood floors in the kitchen, whereas tiles or concrete would not be affected. Read more about concrete kitchen floors.
Re-sanding/Refinished
Kitchen wood floors can last forever if they are cared for properly. Regularly sand and reapply a protective coating every 4-7 years, and completely refinish the floor if it starts to show signs of wear and tear, likely every 12-17 years.
Hardwood Kitchen Flooring Tips
- To protect against scratches and dents, use hardwood in the kitchen that has a high Janka Hardness rating (see types of hardwood flooring above).
- Seal hardwood floors in the kitchen after installation (site finished vs. factory-finished hardwood), so that a layer or two of sealer bridges the gaps between planks to prevent moisture from seeping between them.
- Consider an oil-based polyurethane sealer because it will allow the wood to “breathe,” releasing moisture. Water-based polyurethane traps moisture.
- Put pads on the bottom of the chair and table legs to prevent dents and scratches; pick up and move rather than drag heavy items.
- Clean up spills promptly.
- Don’t allow wet shoes or an umbrella to sit on the hardwood.
- Never use a steam cleaner on hardwood because moisture can be forced into the joints between planks.
- Shut off the water, and call a plumber and your hardwood flooring specialist immediately if you discover a leaking pipe or a refrigerator or dishwasher that is wetting the flooring.
- If you’re still leery of wood floors in the kitchen, consider engineered hardwood which is more structurally stable.
Ultimately, there is no justification for not installing wooden flooring in kitchens. One of the leading experts on home renovations agrees. Tom Silva from This Old House states that he is a great enthusiast of wooden flooring in kitchens. He was misinterpreted in other places, but his entire statement about the matter was,
Some people might question why I am choosing to install hardwood flooring in the kitchen when there are so many other choices available, but I still feel hardwood is a great option. Everyone finds themselves spending a lot of time in the kitchen, and having wood floors can create an inviting and cozy atmosphere.
How to Buy the Best Hardwood for Your Kitchen Floor
Here are a few Home Flooring Pros tips for a smarter hardwood kitchen floor purchase:
- Choose a hardwood flooring product with rich and varied character, so accumulated dings and scratches won’t stand out. This will delay the need for refinishing.
- Only consider hardwood floors where you can get a sample first to take home and see in situ; different kitchen lighting – both natural and electrical – can affect our perception of colors. If you’ve already decided on kitchen cabinets and worktops, then you’ll be maximizing your investment by ensuring your kitchen hardwood matches aesthetically.
- Understand the importance of your subfloor type, as this could determine the type of hardwood flooring you can choose, and which installation method would be best. A plywood subfloor can easily accommodate both solid and engineered hardwood. A concrete subfloor, however, would need a plywood subfloor layer before installing solid hardwood; engineered hardwood can be installed directly onto concrete provided it’s even.
- Be aware of any height restrictions, particularly if you’ll be needing to add both an extra plywood subfloor and then the hardwood flooring on top. This is especially important if your kitchen has an exterior door coming off it, as changes to flooring height may mean that you need to trim your doors – not always cheap or easy if your doors are metal.
