Should You Select Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen?

kitchen flooring

Without a doubt, the kitchen is the center of most homes, drawing all who enter the home into it for a visit. The family will spend a great deal of time in the kitchen, not only for meals and meal preparation but also as a place to relax and share the events of the day. Given the hustle and bustle that goes on in this area, it’s important to cover the floor with a material that is beautiful, resilient, and easy to maintain. The popularity of natural wood products in residential construction today has many new homeowners asking, “Should we select hardwood flooring in the kitchen?” The answer is a resounding “yes.”

For one thing, hardwood floors in any room will add value and beauty to your new home. But wood floors in your kitchen will make the centerpiece room of the home much more inviting and enjoyable to be in. Wood floors are softer on your feet than ceramic tile and much more resilient than vinyl flooring. Technological advances in clear coat urethane finishes have made it possible to put hardwood floors in the kitchen without the fear that a spilled glass of water will ruin your investment. Hardwood floors are a solid investment for your new home and will last for generations if properly cared for. Many homes over a hundred years old still have the original hardwood flooring. Value-conscious homeowners have also realized that hardwood flooring increases the value of their home at the time of resale. One reason for the popularity of hardwood is that wood flooring is easy to maintain for years to come with simple sweeping and the occasional application of floor cleaner.

Twenty years ago, there were few options when purchasing quality wood flooring for the home. Today, the options available are just as extensive as vinyl or ceramic, offering different shapes (natural wood planks in widths from 2” to 12”, and engineered wood planks available in squares, rectangles, and even specialty patterns), along with a multitude of natural wood finishes from white pine to dark cherry. There are also many species of natural wood flooring to choose from, depending on your budget. If you are particularly cost-conscious, a basic yellow pine floor can give you a mountain cabin look, which is very popular today in our back-to-the-basics economy. However, for those putting more of their new home budget into the hardwood flooring in the kitchen, options range from various oak floorings to exotic choices like bamboo, mahogany, and even ironwood.

Installation and Finish: Key Considerations

Another important factor to consider when selecting hardwood flooring for the kitchen is how it will be finished, and part of the decision-making process is determining who will install it. If you’re thinking about installing the wood flooring yourself, be honest about your skill level when it comes to sanding and applying the final finish. Installing wood flooring is not a typical DIY project, but someone with reasonable carpentry skills and the proper tools and patience can do it. However, if you’re not experienced, I highly recommend purchasing a pre-finished wood floor—either natural wood or one of the many engineered wood products. The finish should be considered the most important aspect of the wood floor. Even if you install the best wood and do it impeccably, if the sanding and urethane finishing aren’t done properly, your wood floor won’t look good and won’t last as long as it should.

If you’ve decided to hire a professional to install your wood flooring in the kitchen, great! You can choose between finished or unfinished. Generally, a pre-finished product offers a clear advantage, even with professional installation, as factories tend to do a better job of sanding and sealing wood than most installers. The reason is simple: the factory operates in a controlled environment, whereas your house under construction is not. Regardless of whether you choose finished or unfinished, be sure to hire an installer with solid references and jobs you can visit (while wood flooring is comfortable to walk on, beautiful to look at, and easy to maintain, it is unforgiving in the installation department). You don’t want to find out afterward that your floor was the first one this person ever installed.

Once you’ve made the decision to select hardwood flooring for your kitchen, it’s time to start shopping. Just as you wouldn’t cut corners by hiring a cheap installer, don’t save money by seeking the deal of the century. What should you consider when selecting a supplier for your flooring?

  1. Does the store specialize in wood flooring? A store that carries many varieties of flooring may still be a good resource, but a store specializing in wood flooring should have a knowledgeable sales staff to help you make the best choice for your particular situation and offer a wide range of products.
  2. Do they offer installation? If they specialize in wood flooring and have a knowledgeable sales staff and great product selection, they likely offer installation to ensure that your hardwood flooring is installed correctly and will look great for years to come. Another reason to consider having them install it is that they will guarantee both the wood and the work, which may be hard to find with an independent contractor.
  3. Do they have completed jobs you can inspect and customers you can talk to? A serious business will have both. If they don’t, that should raise a red flag and suggest that your search for the best supplier isn’t over yet.

Installing hardwood flooring in your kitchen is a great decision. If properly cared for, it will provide many years of enjoyment. Plan on spending quality time with a few suppliers before making a final decision. After all, a hardwood floor is an investment in the future of your home.

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