Why Hardwood Floors are the Perfect Choice for Your Kitchen
March 8, 2016
It’s a great design debate of the day: what is the best flooring option for your kitchen? There are so many options, including tile, stone, cork, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood flooring. Hardwood and tile have been the most popular choices for several years, and here are some of the top reasons why hardwood floors are the perfect choice for your kitchen…
- Unifying spaces. Hardwood has the benefit of unifying spaces by the nature of its visual texture. If you use hardwood flooring throughout a living space, it not only unifies all of the rooms with consistency, but also has the illusion of more space (vision flows smoothly from room to room). Using a mix of tile in the kitchen, with hardwood in the adjoining spaces will make a space look more chopped up and smaller.
- Lowered cost. While tile flooring may seem less expensive when comparing flooring types, it ends up being more costly to install due to the greater difficulty in labor (particularly in colder climates like the Pacific Northwest). Alternatively, hardwood materials may have a higher price tag, but you save on the labor costs because it is far easier to install.
- Timeless style. Tile, laminate and stone can quickly go out of style, but hardwood floors are classic and never become outdated.
- Reducing damage. Although tile is easier to wipe clean and doesn’t have the risk of water damage associated with hardwood flooring, tile can be harder to maintain because of the common effect of dirt getting trapped in the grout. Tile also cracks and chips for permanent damage, while wood only gets dents or scratches that disappear after a routine refinishing (which you should do approximately every 10 years). Also, when you drop anything fragile on tile floors, it’s almost certain to break or even shatter. Hardwood is far softer and has more give than tile floors, and may save some dishes from complete destruction.
- Minimizing physical aches and pains. After spending hours on your feet preparing meals and doing the dishes, your feet, legs and back are likely to begin to ache. This side effect is far worse with tile and stone flooring, as compared to hardwood floors. Tile draws heat away so that it always feels cold, while hardwood is warmer and more comfortable.
While hardwood floors are the perfect choice for your kitchen, it is important to watch for any leaks from your refrigerator, dishwasher, or sink area. If left to sit on the wood, the panels will warp and result in expensive repairs or replacement, so be sure to dry up any spills or leaks immediately. Sealing your hardwood floors is also highly recommended.