Kitchen and Bath

Can I Put Hardwood Floors in My Kitchen?

Great question.

Your kitchen is a high-traffic, high-profile area, and you want to make sure that you get the right flooring the first time: otherwise it’s just a waste of money. And no one wants that.

Hardwood floors in kitchens are stylish, and very popular right now. But how do you know if it’s the right choice for you?

Light-hardwood-floors-with-dark-wood-island

Hardwood floors in a kitchen come with pros and cons. Springwood Project, Copperstone Kitchens.

Hardwood Flooring Pros

There are many upsides to hardwood floors. The softness of hardwood compared to ceramic tile can be a blessing if you have bad knees or spend a lot of time standing in your kitchen.

That’s why serious cooks actually prefer hardwood. Your legs will appreciate not standing on a rock hard surface for long periods of time.

Another positive aspect of hardwood is that it is much warmer than ceramic. If you don’t have a heated floor, the hardwood will be much more inviting than icy-cold tiles, especially when you are getting that first cup of coffee in the morning.

Hardwood floors in a kitchen are also an excellent choice if you have an open concept main floor, and want to create a cohesive flow from your living space to your cooking space.

Lastly, there is just something really nice about a quality hardwood floor that can make a kitchen look awesome.

This light-toned wood gives a warm glow to the space, and make it much more inviting. Roseglen Project, Copperstone Kitchens.

Hardwood Flooring Cons

There are some downsides to hardwood floors in a kitchen.

Hardwood is, as the name suggests, hard. But it’s not as hard as ceramic tile, and it’s much easier to damage.

As the kitchen is a high traffic area the hardwood in that room will wear faster than the rest of the house which may result in having to refinish the hardwood sooner than if it was just in the living room.

Another thing to consider is that most prefinished hardwood have small micro grooves between the boards. This makes cleaning up spills much harder. Just think what a pain it would be if you spilled milk or soda! If you do spill something, you’ll want to clean it up promptly: any liquid that stands too long on hardwood can damage the floor.

In the end, you shouldn’t be afraid of hardwood floors in the kitchen: just be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages so that you make an informed decision.

Have no fear: if you want hardwood in your kitchen, it’s 100% doable (and see how great it looks?) Wyndale Project, Copperstone Kitchens.

Who Should Have Hardwood Floors in Their Kitchen?

Hardwood floors in a kitchen will only work for certain people.

We recommend them for serious cooks who want a warm, elegant flooring option – and who aren’t prone to drops or spills!

If you still aren’t sure you fit that description, ask yourself the following questions:

Are small dents and dings going to bother you? Even the most careful cook will get these in their hardwood floors over time.
Do you want a perfect, uniform floor, or do you like little variations and imperfections? Hardwood floors have character, and that means there’s going to be some inconsistency.
Are you up for maintaining your floors? Hardwood needs special attention: you’ll need to be on the lookout for any water, and sweep/vacuum regularly to keep grit from marking up your floors.
Are you okay with natural wear and tear? Like we said, kitchens are a high-traffic area, and that’ll be reflected in your hardwood.
Are you willing to sand and refinish your floors as needed?

You should also ask yourself whether young kids or pets will frequently be in the kitchen, as they can also have an impact on the condition of your hardwood flooring.

With the proper care, your hardwood floor will be one of the best parts of your new kitchen. Kehoe Project, Copperstone Kitchens.

What Are My Hardwood Flooring Options?

When you’ve decided to go with hardwood flooring in your kitchen (congratulations!) your next step is to pick the right hardwood.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood means wood that has been milled from a single piece of lumber. It’s the most ‘pure’ form of hardwood, and is the type of flooring that needs to be sanded and refinished. It’s also the wood that is most susceptible to moisture.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is made of bonding layers of hardwood. This makes it a more stable, durable option. It also allows for more installation options like staples, gluing, or floating (where the floor is attached to itself, not the subflooring).

Whatever kind of hardwood you choose, you should consider these things as well:

The species of wood: some, like oak, are harder than others.
The width of the planks: width will help denote the style of your kitchen.
The color: whether you go with au natural or a stain, colour is an important thing to think about.

One of our designers will be more than happy to show you samples and help you answer these questions.

These thin planks lend themselves to a contemporary kitchen. Beaverwood Project, Copperstone Kitchens.

Wood is On Trend in 2018

Wood is definitely on-trend for renovations in 2018. As more and more people aim for an open-concept main floor, hardwood flooring in a kitchen is rapidly becoming a number one choice.

Homeowners are also looking to incorporate wood in other ways: open shelves, their kitchen islands, and their cabinets.