Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring in Kitchen

Hardwood flooring is beautiful, but it may not always be the best choice for your kitchen. Many kitchens have laminate or linoleum floors. Unfortunately, these tend to be more short-lived and get worn down very easily. You may consider hardwood as a long-term investment. However, you should weigh their benefits before making a decision. 

The Positives and Negatives of Kitchen Hardware Flooring

Hardwood floors come in a great variety which you can customize. They are strong and can last a lifetime.

Different Styles

You don’t have to stick with a boring brown shade of wood and can select from a wide selection of wood styles. There is walnut, cherry, tigerwood, teak, hickory, red or white oak, mahogany, and cypress wood materials. Even if you don’t like the color of the wood grain and want to go with cheaper wood material, you can stain it to the color of your choice. You can also pick the length, size, and width of the floorboards to give your kitchen a particular look.

Long-term Durability

Hardwood floors can last a long time when properly maintained. Wood flooring is known to last as long as a lifetime. They don’t have to be replaced very often, while other flooring materials only last up to 20 years or less. According to Homecarecontractors.com, wood flooring is also known to increase the market value of your home. Wood does not need to be replaced; it only needs resanding and refurbishment.

Easy Maintenance

Wooden flooring is easy to keep clean. They don’t create an electromagnetic charge that attracts dust. Not a lot of debris or dirt gets stuck to the wood, unlike other surfaces. You can clean wood with mopping, vacuuming, or scrubbing. They are resistant to smells, especially if you have a lot of pets in your home.

Easy to Install

Wood isn’t as difficult as tile to install, especially if you choose to use thick boards. You can install and uninstall them more easily and remove ones that may have become warped or cracked due to an accident.

They Are Temperature Sensitive

You may not want hardwood flooring in your kitchen because it can be influenced by temperature fluctuations. Humidity can influence the health of your wood flooring. In damp weather, wood expands, while it shrinks in warm weather. In a kitchen, this may be a problem. Every time you turn on the oven, it may influence the floorboards. They may change shape and warp with the rise and fall of the heat in the kitchen. It may also not do well around the sink, where water splashes often.

They Are Expensive

As an initial investment, hardwood flooring may be very expensive compared to other materials. It is not a very affordable option in comparison to linoleum or tile, especially if you believe that you have to rip out your old flooring and install a new one. This is because some flooring only requires you to place it on top of the old flooring. Hardwood flooring requires you to install sub-flooring before installation, a multi-step process that requires more tools.

Can Attract Termites

These insects feed on wood and can be a threat to hardwood floors. They destroy wood from the inside and can cause it to collapse. You can choose the wood that deters this. For example, don’t use spruce wood as it attracts termites.

Ask Additional Questions About Wood Flooring

You can learn more about whether wood flooring is a good idea from an expert in construction. They can also help you select which type of wood style you may need.