Engineered wood floor kitchen

Wood kitchen flooring: Is wood flooring suitable for kitchens? The experts explain

(Image credit: Christopher Horwood)

Many homeowners are unsure whether wood kitchen flooring is an appropriate choice for their space.

Wood is an ultra-desirable flooring choice because it has natural beauty, appealing warmth, durability and a look that won’t be overtaken by the tides of interiors fashion. But is it suitable for kitchens?

Both heat and moisture in the environment affect wood, causing warping, swelling and shrinkage and, because of the activities that take place in a kitchen, wood kitchen flooring is far more exposed to changes in temperature and humidity than if it was in a living space or a bedroom.

Many different kitchen ideas feature wood flooring, and today it looks the part in both contemporary rooms, farmhouse kitchens and a whole host of designs in between, showing that our passion for the material is undimmed.

So should wood be seen as a good kitchen flooring option? We’ve asked the experts to provide the inside track on solid and engineered timber, as well as reclaimed wood, so you can find out if wood kitchen flooring is suitable for your space.

(Image credit: Ward & Co)

Is wood kitchen flooring a good option?

‘The average kitchen is a hive of activity and a hub for families to congregate in during the course of the day, so it is essential the choice of flooring is able to withstand this,’ says Rosie Ward, creative director of London-based interior designers Ward & Co .

‘Wood is not only a lovely natural resource that looks fantastic, but it also has great durability and therefore suits most kitchens well. In terms of style, I often like to keep the same flooring from one room to another; it provides great continuity and flow across spaces as well as helping to achieve a level of calmness.’

Bear in mind, though, that both the composition of your household and the kitchen’s location in the home should inform your decision, as a wood kitchen flooring won’t be right for every situation.

‘Many of my clients love the touch of warmth that wood floors lend their kitchens,’ says Benjamin Johnston of Benjamin Johnston Design ‘But regardless of whether they are engineered or real wood, they can take a beating in this high-traffic space.

'Kitchen floors are faced with spills of all kinds and the occasional drop of a dish or utensil while cooking. If you prefer a pristine or highly polished look, I suggest steering away from wood floors in your kitchen.' – so you may want to consider stone or different kitchen floor tile ideas instead.

‘On the other hand, if you prefer a home that celebrates a relaxed, casual environment, any dings and dents wood kitchen flooring might take on over time can play up the charm of a well-loved and oft-used kitchen.

'If you decide to go with wood kitchen flooring, consider a matte finish (in both real and engineered options) as it tends to be more forgiving, or go with reclaimed wood flooring that already has an inherent character from its previous life.’

The kitchen’s position should count when selecting the flooring too, because if it’s the space accessed directly from the garden, a pool deck or the garage, damp and dirt could get regularly tracked onto it, causing harm to the surface.

Although wood can be refinished if it’s damaged, these scenarios should give you pause before investing in a wood kitchen flooring, as other choices might need less care to stay looking their best.

Is wood flooring suitable for kitchens?

Yes, wood flooring is suitable for kitchens – but some wood types and constructions more than others. We've gathered the experts' advice on all types of wood kitchen flooring, and the answers to your wood flooring questions.

Solid wood kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Junckers)

If nothing but a solid wood floor appeals, is this a sound pick for a kitchen?

‘Wooden floors are a popular choice for kitchens as they feel warm under foot and lend an element of natural beauty to any style of kitchen, contemporary or traditional,’ says David Papworth, general manager of Junckers .

‘Shiny surfaces and hard materials often found in kitchens are instantly softened with a wood kitchen flooring; it gives the room a balance and makes it look more homely.

‘Hardwood timbers are perfect for busy living areas as they are durable and easy to maintain. There’s also the option to install underfloor heating, although not all solid wood floors are compatible: check with the manufacturer or installer. ’

Care of wood kitchen flooring needn’t be onerous. ‘Solid hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain,’ David explains. ‘Vacuum or use a clean, damp mop weekly and remove rubber heel scuff marks and other non-water dispersible marks with a little white spirit on a damp cloth. Remove any excess of water on the surface immediately.’

Engineered wood kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Ted Todd)

An engineered wood floor could be a suitable option for your kitchen. It is still a real wood floor, and can have an appearance that’s hard to tell apart from solid wood flooring. So how is it distinguished from solid wood kitchen flooring, and does it have any advantages over it?

‘The main difference is the way the planks of flooring are constructed,’ explains Robert Walsh, owner and founder of Ted Todd Fine Wood Floors . ‘Engineered wood floors are available as planks, parquet and panels and can be really transformative in any space.

'Created by layering sections of solid wood bonded together with the grain of each piece running in a different direction to its adjacent layer, it enhances the plank’s strength and resilience.

‘Layering wood in this way also reduces the wood’s natural tendency to expand and contract, meaning it is perfect to lay over underfloor heating and to use in areas like kitchens.

'The quality of an engineered wood floor is largely determined by the depth of the top layer of wood (known as the wear layer). The thicker the wear layer, the better in terms of look, feel, sound and durability.’

Reclaimed wood kitchen flooring

(Image credit: Ted Todd)

Reclaimed wood is another timber flooring option, and can be sourced either as solid wood or in the form of an engineered floor. But is it suitable for kitchens?

‘There is nothing to say that reclaimed and antique flooring shouldn’t be used in a kitchen area, especially if they have an engineered construction,’ says Robert Walsh. ‘It’s always best to avoid large build-ups of water when using a wood floor, but thanks to our in-house finishes, our antique and reclaimed woods are able to battle back against everyday splashes and spills.

‘Reclaimed pine, for example, is a wood that is naturally very clean and light, whilst having calming properties, making it ideal for use in the kitchen, whilst reclaimed teak resists rot, insects and decay, meaning it’s another lifetime choice for any room, including the kitchen.

‘Choosing reclaimed or antique wood kitchen flooring goes a lot further than buying character,’ he adds. ‘Reclaimed timber reduces environmental impact through re-use, helps to preserve forests by decreasing the need for new timber, and reduces any environmental footprints associated with producing a new wood floor.

'Wood flooring that has been crafted from reclaimed and antique wood not only gives the wood a new lease of life, it also prevents the need for more trees to be cut down.’

Wood lookalikes for kitchen flooring

If you’ve ruled out a wood floor for your kitchen because it isn’t appropriate for your kitchen’s location, your household, or your budget, there are alternatives which can create a similar look.

Luxury vinyl kitchen flooring ideas can have an authentic wood appearance thanks to today’s technology and manufacturing, and some vinyl tiles even have a wood-like texture. It is easy to clean and maintain.

Laminate has long been popular as an alternative to wood at a lower budget; it won’t look identical, of course, but can create a similar warm impression and caring for it isn’t hard work.

Consider tile, too. Both ceramic tile and porcelain can replicate the appearance of wood and prove easier to care for in a busy household.

What is the best wood floor for a kitchen?

The best wood floor for a kitchen will depend on your particular circumstances and lifestyle, but solid wood, engineered wood and reclaimed wood can all be possibilities.

‘One of the perks of solid wood is that it can easily be sanded down and re-finished in a different tone if you decide to re-decorate,’ says Rosie Ward. ‘I would go for a hardwood such as oak, maple or cherry, as opposed to a softwood, for greater longevity – it is worth the investment. Engineered wood is a more cost-effective option.

‘Reclaimed flooring is more expensive than solid wood, but is the most sustainable wood kitchen flooring option.’

When you’re selecting wood kitchen flooring, think too about aspects such as the color, thickness, size and style of boards, advises David Papworth.

‘A wide board wooden floor really comes into its own in a large, open space where the plank width and length can be fully appreciated,’ he explains. ‘A more rustic and country-style look can be achieved by using a floor with lots of natural variations in the timber.

'The grading of the timber flooring makes a big difference to the appearance of the finished room – a more natural or rustic grade can make a large area look interesting, whereas a more uniform floor can add a very polished look to modern kitchens.

‘While oak is a perennial favourite, very pale floors make the most of natural light by reflecting it back into the room. Choosing a dark floor can create wow factor and a more dramatic look. Parquet floors, especially herringbone patterns, are becoming more and more popular and they are now available in many different timbers and finishes.’

What is the best flooring for a kitchen?

The best flooring for a kitchen is one that has the visual appearance and feel you prefer, and suits your household and lifestyle in terms of durability and maintenance.

Balancing up these elements when choosing the best kitchen flooring for you is crucial for a successful room design and flooring that stands the test of time.

Wood kitchen flooring is the right choice for many and solid wood, engineered and reclaimed all have their individual merits.

If you are concerned about kitchen flooring costs, though, a wood lookalike in vinyl, tile or laminate (see above) can provide a similar appearance on a budget, although the feel will be different.

If you want a flooring material from nature but wood isn’t right for your home, natural stone tile, properly sealed, is easy to look after and hard wearing.

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.

Everything You Need to Know About Installing Wooden Floors in the Kitchen

If you’re looking for a gorgeous, durable flooring option for your kitchen, wood floors may be the answer. It's been popular for centuries, and its timeless design never goes out of style. Plus, "we see this trend a lot because people love the feel of wood underfoot. Nothing else is like it," says Shoshanna Shapiro, owner and principal designer at Sho and Co. "With open floor plans, it’s also visually appealing to run wood throughout the house," Shapiro adds.

But maybe you’re worried about wood in a kitchen where spills from cooking and splashes from dishwashing come into contact with your floor. Isn’t water bad for wood? Not necessarily. Technology has come a long way, and today’s finishes can take a lot of abuse from kids, pets, and everyday living. "Of course, you never want to leave puddles of water on any type of wood flooring," says Shapiro. "Wood isn’t indestructible, but the technology has improved so much that it’s a popular option for kitchens."

Ahead, discover what else you need to know about putting down wood floors in a kitchen.

What’s the difference between solid wood and engineered wood floors?

Solid wood flooring, which is also referred to as hardwood flooring, is made from one piece of wood from top to bottom so it can be refinished many times. Unfinished solid wood is sanded and stained in place, while factory-finished wood floors are pre-finished so they can be walked on immediately with no drying time after installation.

The most popular species of hardwood is red oak, which is affordable and readily available. White oak also is popular because it can take lighter stains without lending any pinkish undertones that may show through on red oak. Other types of woods such as maple and walnut aren’t trending right now.

Wood flooring suits this vacation home kitchen designed by Breeze Giannasio in Maui, Hawaii, proving that it looks great in tropical environments, too.

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Engineered wood floors consist of seven to 10 layers of thin sheets of wood glued together with the grain going in different directions to provide stability. It’s then finished with a top layer of wood. This construction technique reduces the expansion and contraction that occurs with solid wood due to changing environmental conditions such as humidity levels, which fluctuate throughout the year, says Shapiro. Engineered hardwood is about 25 percent more expensive than hardwood.

Is solid wood or engineered wood better for flooring?

It’s really a personal preference. There are many factors that determine what the right flooring is for your home, says Shapiro. With solid wood flooring, areas may wear differently on hardwood flooring over time. But solid wood flooring can be refinished many, many times, and it doesn’t take that much sanding to get down to smooth wood again.

You typically don’t see wear marks as often in the finish on engineered wood, and you may be able to refinish some types of engineered wood floors once or twice. Ideally, choose engineered wood floors with a 5 to 7 mm wear layer on top. "That’s the sweet spot that makes it affordable and still allows you to refinish it," says Shapiro. In addition, if it’s an engineered floor that has a bevel between pieces, be aware that the bevel won’t be visible after sanding and refinishing.

Wood floors also set a strong foundation in this cosmopolitan New York City kitchen designed by Melanie Millner.

Emily J Followill

Finally, engineered wood is a way to achieve the popular wide plank look with planks that are 6-inches or wider. "If you like that look, engineered wood is a much better choice because you won’t have the movement of solid wood due to changing environmental conditions," says Shapiro.

Does wood flooring scratch or dent easily?

The hardness of solid wood is measured according to the Janka scale, which indicates how well a species of wood can resist dings. For example, white oak is 1360 while red oak is 1290 on the Janka scale. For cross-reference, a soft wood such as pine is 870, so it dents easily. Regardless, treat the floor with a little TLC by putting felt slides on furniture and placing rugs at entryways to prevent grit from being tracked in. Lighter finishes also tend to be more forgiving in terms of showing scratches, says Shapiro.

If you drop something on hardwood, it’s hardwood all the way through so the ding won’t show that much. But if you drop something very heavy—and it would have to be very heavy-- you potentially could gouge engineered wood. If that happens, you may be able to see the plywood underneath, says Shapiro.

The wood flooring spans this entire home designed by Tammy Randall Wood of Interior Archaeology.

Tessa Neustadt

How do you take care of wood floors?

Your floors will look better longer, regardless of the material, if you clean them regularly. Use a microfiber mop, a broom with exploded tips, or disposable electrostatic cleaners daily to pick up grit so it doesn’t get ground in and scratch your floor. It’s okay to use your vacuum’s hardwood floor head but never the beater bar, which can damage the surface.

Wipe up spills or pet accidents right away with a slightly damp cloth, but never use steam cleaners or mops. Finally, stick with the cleaning product recommended by your manufacturer. Although natural products such as lemon juice and vinegar often are suggested as DIY cleaners, they’re acids, which can dull the finish over time.

Bona Hardwood Floor Spray Mop

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Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner

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Method Hardwood Floor Cleaner

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MR.SIGA Microfiber Mop

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Arricca Elin Sansone

Arricca SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

Wooden floor in the kitchen, perhaps? - Articles

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» Wooden floor in the kitchen, perhaps?

Stanislav

Experience 11 years

03. 10.2017

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Often, when it comes to choosing flooring for a kitchen, most people lean towards choosing tile or linoleum. These floorings remain popular for their durability, ease of cleaning, and moisture resistance.

However, the right wood, with the right finish, can be almost as strong and durable, absolutely just as easy to clean, and surprisingly just as resistant to moisture.

Plus, the advantage of a wooden floor is that it remains relevant despite the times and can make your kitchen a cozy place not only for cooking, but also for relaxing.

Wooden kitchen floor features:

Unique design

Ask just about any interior designer and they will tell you - if you can afford wood flooring throughout your home, then do it throughout your home, including the kitchen. It looks especially good in studio apartments or in kitchens combined with a living room.

Beautiful wood flooring continuously links one room to another, creating a unified space. In addition, wood is less fashionable than floor tiles, so a wood floor installed today will still be relevant 10, 20, 30 or more years from now. During this period, you can always update it, re-varnish it and give it a completely new shade, it will look like it was just laid. The tile replacement process, on the other hand, is a much dirtier, labor-intensive and costly process.

Color

In the kitchen, as a rule, we spend most of the time, and due to high traffic, scratches can quickly appear on the floor. Turning to the choice of color, designers recommend choosing light shades, firstly because scratches are less noticeable on a light surface, and secondly, light colors give a feeling of comfort.

Comfort

Walking on a wooden floor is not only more pleasant, but also healthier. In winter, tile can get quite cold, and due to the high density of the material, walking on it puts a lot of strain on the back and legs.

Cost

To the surprise of many homeowners, the cost of a wood floor can be almost the same as a tile floor. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, tiles cannot be laid on a subfloor, and surface preparation leads to additional work and costs. Secondly, the purchase of the tile itself, high-quality and durable, suitable in color and texture, often costs more than a wooden floor that will meet the same requirements.

Care and washing

A quick wet mopping or vacuuming a couple of times a week and an occasional professional floor treatment will be enough to keep your floor beautiful for a long time. The main thing to remember is to remove dirt or liquid from the floor as quickly as possible and do not allow dirt to accumulate in places near doors, under carpets or pet bowls. Doing so can cause stains, scratches, and floor distortion, especially on hardwoods.

How to extend the life of a wooden floor in the kitchen?

Many homeowners find that wood flooring in the kitchen will not last long due to the high chance of spilling liquids and increased stress on the floor. The truth is that any floor can be damaged by liquid, even tiles. Grout and low-quality tiles can stain or crack, while wood flooring can warp and scratch. Simple precautions can prevent these undesirable effects.

Choosing the Right Top Coat

The main way to protect your wood floor from damage is to choose the right finish. A water-based polyurethane varnish is perfect for a kitchen floor, as ironic as it may sound, this varnish repels water better than others.

Speak with a technologist to decide which type of flooring is best for you - ready-to-install wood flooring with a top coat or a floor that you need to varnish yourself. By choosing a finished floor, such as hardwood flooring, you will get a very strong and durable coating, but the joints will be susceptible to liquid ingress. If you will cover the wooden floor yourself after laying, then the seams can be treated with special mixtures for sealing, and then apply varnish to the entire surface.

Use mats

In areas where it is almost unavoidable to get water on the floor, such as near the sink, dishwasher or refrigerator, you can put water-repellent carpets. Damage to your floor can only be caused by severe flooding or prolonged presence of moisture on the surface. There is no need to worry about drops of water or accidentally spilled sauce, you just need to eliminate the consequences as soon as possible.

We choose wood species responsibly

The kitchen in almost any house is a place with high traffic, the whole family gathers here, guests come, pets walk, so the type of wood on the floor should be chosen taking into account this feature, oak or ash is best suited. Of course, there are some exotic breeds that are stronger, but due to their characteristics, they can tolerate moisture, temperature changes, or other environmental conditions worse.

If you opted for a wooden flooring, then also think about what suits you best - solid wood flooring or parquet boards. Each of them has its own merits. The floor from the array can always be cycled, thereby extending its service life and updating its appearance. But at the same time, wood fibers are more susceptible to deformation from moisture. For this reason, many people choose parquet board as a floor covering.

Note the cortical floor.

Cork flooring has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, moreover, it is quite often used for kitchen flooring. Firstly, because, like wood, it gives a feeling of comfort and at the same time it is much softer than solid wood, which is better for your bones and joints. A professionally installed cork floor will last as long as a tile floor. The process of replacing a cork floor is quite quick and less expensive compared to a tiled floor.

If you want to learn more about installing a wooden or cork floor, call 8 (495) 120-09-50 technologists with 11 years of experience will be happy to answer your questions.

Moisture-resistant engineering board for the floor in the kitchen, corridor and hallway

Is it possible to lay engineered board in the kitchen

Moisture-resistant engineering board for the kitchen is a relatively young type of parquet, which is rapidly gaining popularity. This material has received wide application and demand due to its high technical properties and a variety of shades and decors. And if you are not sure that the engineered board is suitable for laying in the kitchen, then cast aside your doubts. Flooring is simply irreplaceable for a number of reasons:

the smooth texture of the lamellas allows you to keep the floor perfectly clean;
in case of damage, individual sections of the engineering board are easy to replace if the laying was carried out by the "floating" method;
wood perfectly tolerates frequent wet cleaning, does not absorb spilled liquid and is easily cleaned with warm water and special detergents;
the appearance of the lamellas does not suffer from the ingress of fat on the surface of the material.

Keep in mind that the way the lamellas are laid significantly affects the visual perception of the space. If you lay them along the wall, then the room will visually lengthen, and if you lay them diagonally, it will expand. Large parquet boards visually narrow the space, while narrow ones, on the contrary, expand it.

In the kitchen, an engineered board will last longer if you choose lamellas made from those types of wood that are neutral with respect to water. These are oak, teak, ash, American walnut, merbau and larch.

Pros and cons of engineering board in the kitchen

Choosing a gender is not an easy task. Which coverage is best? Which material will last the longest? These are the questions that people care about in the first place. The engineering board in the kitchen has its pros and cons, so before purchasing a floor covering, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with its features, study the features of the lamellas, and only after that make a decision to purchase a product.

Benefits of an engineering board:

Since the material is glued, it is virtually indestructible and has the highest dimensional stability compared to other wood floorings;

The engineered floor board for the kitchen has increased strength and resistance to both mechanical stress and climatic conditions, so it lasts at least 25 years;
The coating is treated with a layer of oil or varnish in such a way as to prevent moisture from entering the thickness of the material, to prevent its swelling;

Lamellas can be repeatedly updated and restored with scraping and grinding;
The material has the natural warmth of wood, it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot;
The engineered board in the kitchen can be laid both glued and floating, mounted on the underfloor heating system;
The locking method of connection allows you to achieve absolute smoothness and uniformity of the floor, without leaving a single gap;
A wide range of sizes allows you to solve all the problems of decorating any space;
The floor covering released for sale is completely ready for use and does not need additional processing with various compositions.

Disadvantages of an engineering board:

The coating of some types of boards is difficult to dismantle and then re-install;
The process of laying lamellas is quite painstaking work, so it is best to entrust the work to a professional;
The prices for an engineering board are not the lowest, so it cannot be included in the category of budget building materials.

The building materials market is filled with fakes, so it is better to buy an engineering board from trusted suppliers, in reliable online stores.

Comparing all the pros and cons of the engineering board, we can say with confidence that this flooring is almost ideal for laying in the kitchen and other areas where there is high humidity. A more wear-resistant, durable and aesthetically attractive material simply does not exist today.

Engineering board in the interior of the kitchen

Many different manufacturers present their products on the Russian market: foreign, domestic and joint. In order not to waste money and get a really high-quality floor covering, you need to give preference to products of popular and well-established brands among consumers.

Wood Bee engineering board

The Dutch company produces reference coatings made from natural wood. The slats have excellent moisture resistance, withstand temperature fluctuations and significant mechanical stress. All these features make the material almost indispensable, it is possible to lay an engineering board in the kitchen and in the corridor, as well as in other rooms with high traffic.

The material is presented in a wide range of colors, so choosing the right shade of the board is not difficult. Most often, consumers choose bleached lamellas made of oak and ash, because with their help you can visually expand the space, make the room lighter and more spacious. Coverings of dark shades do not lag behind in popularity: brown, gray or black. Such floors give the room respectability, look spectacular and are appropriate in almost any style decision.

The engineered board makes it possible to lay the floor without thresholds, and for joining with other materials, such as ceramic tiles, cork expansion joints can be used.

Global Parquet Engineered Board

The American company Global Parquet specializes in the production of engineered boards from the most durable and sought-after wood species (Oak, American Walnut, Burmese Teak and Ash). The material has high wear resistance and durability due to the coating of the front side of the lamellas with 8 layers of high-tech varnish Treffert (Germany) and two layers of aluminum oxide. All these advantages of the products, along with the unique designs of the collections, allow us to classify it as a unique premium class flooring.

If the kitchen is poorly lit, and its windows face the north side, it is advisable to choose light shades of the parquet board. Reddish slats will make the kitchen cozy and warm, and dark coatings will make it solid.