Do you think hardwood flooring is good for kitchens?
A mystery reader with the initials TS left a comment on the last post asking if hardwood floors really worked in kitchens. NOT the first time I’ve heard that question!
Some people might say it’s a matter of opinion. I say it’s not. To me… it’s a fact. Hardwood floors are great anywhere, everywhere, anytime, for any occasion. Including the kitchen.
However, I’ve found it necessary at times to grab a podium and become an evangelist for my beliefs on this highly important, nay – life altering, matter. Here’s the two most common objections and my response:
- Water! What if there is a leak, or a spill?
- There is one floor that will do better in a flood scenario – tile and even that does not always survive a flood (by this I mean a broken pipe) – but tile is cold and hard.
- With less severe water, wood generally does pretty well. Especially if it’s cleaned-up quickly.
- Solid wood floors can generally withstand more than manufactured wood.
- Solid wood floors are easier to repair.
- Engineered or manufactured wood flooring (plys with a hardwood top) generally do better with water than laminate flooring (which isn’t really wood at all).
- How often do you really get serious water on the floor anyway? Is it a common enough occurrence to make a decision based upon?
- Wear & Tear! Can hardwood stand-up to the heavy use in the kitchen?
- Hardwood floors (solid or engineered) will show some wear in areas that get constant traffic. So if you are an intense cook, hand wash dishes three times a day, or have a herd of teenagers stampede to the refrigerator on an hourly basis you should be prepared for wear and tear.
- Is wear and tear a bad thing? Or do you LOVE the way a hardwood floor looks when is has a worn spot near the sink, or where your husband stands at the end of the bar? Doesn’t it add character when your floor is worn out in front of the fridge?
- So is that a drawback, or a benefit? It depends on the quality of your floor and this is one of my biggest reasons for using a solid hardwood floor. Wood that is 3/4″ thick wears differently (better) than wood that is only a few millimeters thick.
The Good Stuff!
- Hardwood is beautiful!
- Hardwood feels fantastic under your feet!
- Hardwood is universal – it goes with any decor. (almost)
- Hardwood is natural and one of the most authentic floors you can get.
- Hardwood is temperate, feeling warm in winter and cool in summer, but never cold.
- Natural wear and tear can make it look more beautiful.
- A quality wood floor can last many lifetimes. Literally hundreds of years and still look great!
- Oh… and dishes that fall on it only break, rather than shatter in a zillion pieces.
Did I miss anything… other arguments for or against? Anyone care to share personal experience with this? ( I had natural clay Mexican tile in our last kitchen and have ceramic tile in this one… to be replaced with wood ASAP!)
~RG
I’ve lways had wood floors in my kitchen with I have a love/hate relationship with. The knottiness and irregularity of the wood is EXCELLENT for disguising dirty floors. But children constantly scooting chairs in and out really took its toll on our floors (we have six young children, though). We had to refinish our kitchen (and hence our entire first floor which was all wood) twice in six years. That’s expensive and seriously inconvenient.
We moved to Texas a few years ago where tile rules supreme. I have hated how everything breaks on tile, but it is indestructible. I don’t worry a bit when our kids drag their chairs all over the kitchen. Our tile is ugly (it looks like a mixture of camo and vomit) but it can get really dirty before it needs a mopping. That’s pretty priceless. I think we’ll stick with tile.
@jennie w., A mixture of camo and vomit! Now that is a description shall never forget.
I agree that refinishing twice in six years would be tough. I wonder if there is a refenish per child/year ratio? So someone with three kids would have to refinish once in six years? Funny.
Six kids! Wow.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject!
~RG
I’ve had hardwoods in the kitchen for nye on to 25 years and they look great. Tough as nails through sand, red clay, work boots, etc. Count me a believer! franki
@Franki Parde, The same floors for 25 years! That’s what I’m talking about. What other floor coverings still have your heart 25 years later? Natural Stone is the only other one I can think of.
Thanks Franki
I have only ever rented, but if I ever had my pick of flooring in my kitchen, it would definitely be wood. It looks so nice and warm. Also, I walk around barefoot in my house. Tile is cold and hard, and it hurts my feet. Wood is a little softer and not so cold in the winter.
@Rachel, Wood is SO much softer! I agree. People are usually very surprised by this aspect of wood because it essentially seems like a “hard” floor. But the truth is that wood is significantly softer than tile and stone.
We’re also constantly barefoot at home, so I’m feelin ya on that one.
Wood all the way, bay-bee!!! I live in an old (1926 house) with the original oak flooring throughout. When we added a kitchen and family room there was no question that it would be maple – that’s also what we put in our previous house and loved it.
My grandmothers both had maple kitchen floors and scrubbed them weekly, hands and knees with big, stiff bristle scrub brushes and a bucket filled with water and bleach – if your maple floors were white you were considered a good housekeeper in those days!
Good wood floors are in the same category as hand knotted Persian rugs – they are meant to be used, take a lot of abuse and look more beautiful through the years.
@Deb-IL, Could not have said it better myself! Amen sister!
I want to gey wood floors in the kitchen but am concerned about scratching, Deep scratching like when you move the stove and refrigerator, or chairs away from the table. Doesn’t it scratch easily?
@Jude,
You bring up a great point! The issue you’re thinking of is one of the few real drawbacks to wood, in my opinion. Their is no real universal solution. The way I always dealt with it was by putting felt pads on the bottom of all furniture, including chairs. With things like appliances and televisions, it was a matter of patience, care, and muscle. We generally tried to lift refrigerators onto sheets of 1/4″ plywood to protect the floor. Rolling a fridge across a wood floor will generally leave tracks.
The other important factor is the type of wood. Oak is harder than pine, for example. The harder the wood, the less likely it will be damaged.
Thanks for your comment. good point.
~RG
I like your writing style – Diane
I prefer hardwood flooring becuase it has a nice character to the home. I would suggest getting area rugs and placing them in high traffic areas. This will help protect the floor from damage.
I’ve got oak floors in the kitchen. They were refinished by me (extremely inexpertly and next time I would hire out) after I removed mauve carpet. Seriously? Carpet? I much prefer the wood! And it’s gotten a couple scratches. I’m agreeing that wear adds character, though!
I like what you said about water. My kitchen floor is hardwood and it is so easy to clean spills. Thanks for posting!
This post is quite old- but here is why I hate, HATE hardwood in the kitchen. We have a beautiful floor that is probably 35 years old. But it’s ALWAYS dirty. Every time I mop, every time I wipe up a spill, my towel comes away soooo dirty. I can’t find a tough cleaner that won’t damage the wood. Everything says that a little spritz of warm water and dry mop is all you need??!! Maybe in a family room or bedroom. Not so much in a kitchen or bath where floors need real, deep cleaning. With steam and water and scrubbing and vinegar or something. I don’t know how to get these floors clean. We’ve been here 2 years and I’ve yet to wipe the floor without getting a blackened, dirty towel. ?