Pros and Cons of Wood Floor in Kitchen | Is It A Good Choice?

It’s a dream to have hardwood flooring in the house because it brings timeless elegance and warmth into the home.

But is it suitable for the kitchen?

The kitchen is the place that has more moisture than any other room except the bathroom. And wood flooring is more susceptible to water damage and requires more maintenance than any other type of floorings.

Although wood floor coverings are now manufactured with a better finishing, so they can resist water, still these hardwood floorings are not completely waterproof.

Is It Better to Install Wood Floor in the Kitchen?

So, if you plan to change your flooring or move to a new house, you should decide the best flooring type for kitchen based on its pros and cons.

If you have hyperactive kids that are likely to create a wreck in the kitchen, then it’s better to stick to vinyl wood floor or ceramic hardwood floor. Fortunately, these can now mimic the look of real wood.

However, if you want organic wooden flooring, then there are two options for you. One is real hardwood flooring; the other option is engineered wooden floors. Check our top recommendations for the best kitchen mats for hardwood floors to protect floor or prevent fatigue.

Pros and Cons of Wood Floor in Kitchen

Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of both of these wooden floorings so you can decide which is better for you in the kitchen.

Pros of Wood Floor in the Kitchen

Here are some benefits that you will enjoy, if you install a hardwood floor in the kitchen.

Elegance and Grace of Wood

The elegance and grace of the real wood is unmatchable. Solid wood flooring is around for centuries and is still considered timeless.

These can be purchased in pre-finished form or unfinished wooden blocks.

Unfinished wooden blocks are stained and finished after installation. The installation of pre-finished real wood is easier than unfinished real wooden blocks.

Warm Feeling

The real wood floors give a warm and cozy feeling, whereas tiles and vinyl floors feel cold under feet.

Tile flooring feels harder than wood floors, whereas wooden floors are soft and have texture on them. It makes them comfortable for walking.

Refinishing and Sanding Wooden Floors

Although wooden floors are sensitive to water leakage, they can be restored and repaired by sanding and staining them again.

The restoration of the wood, if it gets damaged, increases the durability of it, making it appropriate for kitchen flooring.

Moreover, applying a polyurethane finish, especially on the kitchen floor, also increases its durability two-fold. This finishing coat handles small spillages and minimizes the chances of water damage.

Good Resale Value

The desirability of the real wooden floors can be gauged by the fact that real wooden flooring increases the resale value. And people would willingly pay a premium amount for the home having luxurious wooden flooring.

Cons of Real Wood Floor in the Kitchen

Here are some of drawbacks of the hardwood floors installed in the kitchen.

Price

Real wooden flooring is an expensive option when we combine the labor cost and the type of wood you want in the kitchen. So, if price is the concern, you can go for synthetic materials such as luxury vinyl floors.

Susceptible to Dents and Damage

Wood is a soft material, and it is highly susceptible to damage, especially in the kitchen.

It can easily get scratches and dents even if you accidentally drop something in the kitchen, for example, knives or forks, or move heavy things from one place to another.

Water Damage

Although woods are finished with protective coatings. The coating is subjected to wear and tear, and any water leakage from the dishwasher or long-standing water that can seep through the wooden finish and cause it to swell, warp and degrade.

Non-Availability of Larger Planks

Solid wood is available only in smaller sizes which are not in trend and do not look better in open concept houses. For that, you will have to look into other options, such as engineered hardwood flooring.

Humid Environment

Wooden flooring is not convenient for humid climatic regions. Cupping can occur in wood flooring by the moisture in the environment, and the wooden planks expand, giving the floor a wavy look.

Since kitchens tend to have high humidity levels than the rest of the home, it’s not suitable to have wooden flooring, especially if you are already living in a humid climatic region.

Installing a kitchen mat is very important on a wooden floor and if you have already installed one, for its maintenance do check this guide: How to Clean Kitchen Mats.

Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood is made up of plywood floors that are bonded together, and the top layer is made of veneer finish. These floorings have varying thicknesses and are often made with a “click-system” for easy installation.

But is this a better option for kitchen flooring? Let’s have a look at it.

Pros of Engineered Wood Floor in the Kitchen

Price

Engineered wooden floors are relatively cheaper than solid wood flooring and cost around $3 to $15, depending on the manufacturer and brand.

However, these are still more costly than vinyl luxe flooring or laminate wood floor.

Wide Size

Unlike parquet wood floor or solid wood, engineered hardwood floors are available in wide plank sizes too.

Wide wooden planks are now in trend and look better in open concept homes where there is not a separate area for the kitchen.

Easy Installation

Engineered wood planks come as a pre-finished product that is easy to install, and some of them have beveled edges that accentuate each woodblock.

These planks often have a click-lock system that makes them much easier to install in your kitchen.

Sustainable

These are made to be more resilient to water sensitivity than solid hardwood. That’s how these floorings are a better option for a humid environment.

Cons of Engineered Wood Floor

Durability

Although these wooden floors are more sustainable towards heat and moisture, engineered wood floors can’t be sanded often.

You can only sand and refinish it once or twice. It makes it less durable than real wood floors.

Dents and Damage

Even though engineered wooden planks are manufactured, but still their components are made of real wood. That makes them susceptible to dents and scratches, just like solid wood floors.

Not Waterproof

Engineered wooden floors are resistant to water spills to an extent. These have protective surfaces that make them better than solid wood.

However, these can also warp and bend with a long exposure to water.

Wood Floors in Kitchen Vs. Tile: Which is Better?

You have to consider certain factors to determine which is better for your kitchen flooring – wood or tile.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance option that doesn’t get damaged by water, you should choose tile flooring.

However, wood flooring is timeless and provides better ROI. Not just that, it gives a warm touch to the kitchen area and makes it appear larger.

Moreover, wooden floors are now engineered and have lots of variety that is more resilient to water spills.

In any case, you can protect hardwood floors in the kitchen from water spills by using the best kitchen mats for hardwood floors. With proper care and maintenance, your kitchen wood floors can last decades.

Is a Hardwood Floor in the Kitchen a Bad Idea?

The problem with hardwood floor is that it requires frequent maintenance, and it is more prone to damage from moisture. However, these have the warm and luxe feeling that is unparalleled.

Installing wooden floor in kitchen is definitely not a bad idea. With the modern variety of hardwood flooring, maintenance and cleaning have become a lot easier.

But if you have a large and busy family and you can’t be attentive to its proper care, then it’s not a good idea to spend a fortune on hardwood flooring.

Kitchen- the most trafficked area deserves attention and care. Check out our best area rugs for the kitchen to keep your polished hardwood safe.

Wrapping Up!

Among many other choices of flooring in the kitchen, wood floors require more maintenance. But its beauty and elegance outweighs certain disadvantages. Moreover, the variety in wooden floors is exceptional. From solid wood to engineered hardwood, wood parquet, you can always beautify your kitchen with it. Take good care of your wooden floors, and it will pay you back more in terms of increased home value and beauty.