No kitchen remodel is complete without a new floor. But picking a material for your new floor can be hard. Do you want to go with a more traditional tile look, or do you want something a little more unique? What about hardwood? Hardwood might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you imagine your new kitchen, but it’s more convenient than you might think. Here are a few reasons why you might want a kitchen with hardwood floors.
The Benefits of a Kitchen With Hardwood Floors
Using hardwood in the kitchen affords you many of the same benefits as hardwood in a living room. These include:
Cleanliness
Hardwood is one of the easier materials to clean. Dust and debris won’t get stuck to it as easily as tile. You can easily clean it with a simple sweep, vacuum, or mop.
With tile floors, you have to be extra careful not to spill anything too oily. The substance can easily get stuck between tiles and in the grout. Hardwood holds up to simple spills much better.
Plus, the shine you get with clean hardwood is really pleasing to the eyes.
Warmth
Tile floors can get very cold, especially in the winter months. If you tend to walk around barefoot, you know how shocking it can be to step onto a cold kitchen floor in the morning. Hardwood will keep warmer, meaning increased comfort for you and your guests.
Hardwood floors also help keep your home insulated. They’ll keep heat in during the winter, and expel it during the summer. You can even get a hardwood floor specially insulated to really reap the benefits.
Upscale Look
Hardwood is one of the most upscale looks you can get. It’s more expensive than tile or laminate floors, and that extra price shows. It gives your home a more rustic and warm look, and shows off your distinguished side.
Baby-Friendly
If you’ve recently had a baby, even they’ll benefit from the hardwood floors.
Hardwood is softer and warmer than tile, making it much more pleasant for a baby to crawl or walk around on. Hardwood is also completely non-toxic, and you can more easily see potentially dangerous stains.
Increases Home Value
Hardwood floors may not be the cheapest option, but the increase in property value makes it instantly worth it for many. Hardwood floors can actually improve your home’s value by around 2.5%!
If you plan on selling your home in the future, you should consider installing hardwood in the kitchen. The right company will offer you great prices on hardwood flooring.
Acoustically Pleasing
There’s a good reason that concert halls and theaters use wood flooring. It’s all about the acoustics.
Hardwood floors will lower echo and vibrations, and let you hear people across the room with unparalleled accuracy. It’s probably not the main reason you’ll want to go hardwood, but it’s a great little bonus. Especially if you like to sing or listen to music while working in the kitchen.
Durability
A good hardwood floor will last you years without wearing down. Some choose to have their hardwood refinished every five years or so, but it’s not necessary for everyone. Most of the time, you won’t have to touch your hardwood again unless it sustains damage.
You might consider using a sealant on your new hardwood floor to protect it from damage. Hardwood can warp or get stained if a spill is left on it too long. A sealant can help prevent that.
You should also try to wipe up any spill as soon as it hits the hardwood.
Customization
There are tons of different woods available for hardwood floors. These will all give you a different look. Some of the most popular choices include:
- Fir
- Cherry
- Pine
- Birch
- Hickory
- Walnut
- Ash
- Maple
Each of these has a unique grain and color. Make sure to sample a few of these before locking in to see what best matches the rest of your kitchen.
Hardwood floors look immaculate with the right kitchen furniture and appliances. You can contrast the floors with marble or brick, or compliment it with a further rustic, wood look. You can even customize the color of your hardwood to better fit the room by going with something darker or lighter.
Staying Organic
Hardwood is a great choice if you’re trying to make your home more eco-friendly and sustainable.
There are no vinyls, plastics, or non-renewable resources that go into hardwood floors. It’s just good old biodegradable wood. This makes hardwood floors one of the most environmentally conscious flooring decisions out there.
What About the Cons?
There are very few drawbacks to having hardwood in the kitchen, but there are some things to consider.
Price
Hardwood isn’t cheap, so it’s probably not the right choice if you’re on a strict budget. Although, as mentioned above, the increase in property value may make the price worth it in the long run.
Not Ideal for Pets
If you have dogs or cats, you might notice some small scratches over time. A good sealant can help repel these, but not all the time. The floor may also be slippery on paws, but that mostly depends on how your pet behaves.
Sun Damage
If you have a lot of windows in your kitchen, your hardwood floors might fade over time. To avoid this, try finding a sealant with UV protection. It may offer some relief.
Hardwood: A Solid Choice
Hardwood isn’t just for the living room anymore.
There are tons of benefits to a kitchen with hardwood floors. From durability to cleanliness to pure beauty, hardwood is a unique and excellent choice for any kitchen. If you want a kitchen floor that’ll bring a smile to your face every morning, go with hardwood.
If you’re looking for a good hardwood floor for your kitchen, see what we can do for you. Contact us with any comments or questions.