Engineered wood for kitchen

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

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(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.

Best Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Your Kitchen & Dining Room

More and more designers are turning to engineered hardwood flooring for kitchens. While Pinterest and home magazines shine a light on this stunning trend, you may be wondering if hardwood can really stand up to the activity in your kitchen—whether that’s a lot of foot traffic or a lot of spills.

The good news is, engineered hardwood floors are created with durability in mind. Plus, with a resistance to changes in humidity, they’re less likely to warp or buckle in a room where water is just a part of life, making the LIFECORE Hardwood Collection a great choice for the kitchen.

With our new h3OME Waterproof Hardwoods by LIFECORE, we take that a step further. Our natural waterproof rigid core with innovative edge coating combines with a durable waterproof wear layer that encapsulates each plank for a true waterproof seal, complete with a 72-hour waterproof warranty. Because of its waterproof construction, h3OME is also safe for wet-mopping for quick and easy clean-up.

Depending on your lifestyle and the level of maintenance you’re looking for in your kitchen, both LIFECORE Hardwoods and h3OME are great options as they both include our proprietary low VOC nine-layer UV-hardened finish. Below, we’ve put together a few of the best engineered hardwood flooring options from our h3OME line that bring style and performance to any kitchen design.

Reactive Hardwoods for a Beautiful, Organic Home

If you’re looking to bring a more organic feel into your kitchen, h3OME Urban Oasis Organic Home’s reactive style may be just for you. Created by bringing out the natural tannins in the wood for a truly distinct design, reactive hardwood floors are a perfect fit for kitchen performance. Whether you’re into an all-white style or like bold colors that pop, the natural variations in Organic Home’s planks are sure to work with any design. Plus, if any scratches manage to get through our superior UV-hardened finish, on reactive floors they’re a lot less noticeable than a stained plank, which only has the color on the surface of the wood.

Make Your Kitchen an Urban Oasis

With h3OME Urban Oasis Restful Ripple, you can transform your kitchen into a restful respite even when foot traffic’s at its heaviest. Like all LIFECORE engineered floors, Restful Ripple is made using our ZERO-ADD® technology, which means no VOCs are added during our manufacturing process. Another organic reactive, waterproof option, this engineered hardwood really warms up a room, making it a great balance to an all-white kitchen aesthetic.

A Summer Home Look for Year Round Performance

Wire-brushed for a reclaimed aesthetic, h3OME Farmhouse Fresh Summer Home brings a sophisticated look to your kitchen or dining room. With neutral gray and light brown tones, it can work well with any color theme now or down the road if you decide to make some changes. While our low UV-hardened helps prevent scratches, the wire-brushed style can hide any scuffs that your family does manage to make in these more high-traffic areas.

Real Waterproof Hardwood Floors

Not all wood-look floors are real wood, but the entire h3OME collection includes real wood in the product’s exterior that’s sealed for waterproof protection. That matters a lot when it comes to your home’s resale value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, real wood floors can increase the sales price of your home by as much as 2.5%.

Learn more about the h3OME collection here.

Moisture-resistant engineering board for the floor in the kitchen, in the hallway 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 practically not subject to deformation and has the highest geometric stability compared to other wooden floor coverings;

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. The material has a stabilized multi-layer structure, does not deform even under significant loads, is particularly resistant to abrasion of the decorative layer and looks simply amazing in any interior.

The engineered board for laying in the kitchen and hallway is characterized by excellent soundproofing properties, does not require maintaining the same temperature level in the room and does not absorb moisture. The collection contains classic retro motifs and current solutions of the 2000s, and the color scheme reflects the most fashionable trends in the modern world of parquet.

Engineering board for the kitchen: what you need to know

The kitchen is perhaps the most central and busiest place in many apartments and houses. When arranging a room for cooking and meeting with a large number of relatives and friends, the first thing to consider is what floors will be there.

The optimal type of floor covering is reliable and resistant to various mechanical and other impacts, because dishes can often fall or liquid spill on the floor in the kitchen. It is important that cleaning the floor takes as little time as possible and consists of a light damp cleaning.

"SilverParquet" recommends an engineered board as a floor covering for the kitchen. This option is modern, has a lot of advantages and design solutions.

Content:

Factors to consider when choosing a floor
Suitable grades of engineering board for kitchen
Popular brands in the market

Factors to consider when choosing a floor

Engineered board is a relatively new floor covering that has already earned the attention of a consumer audience. Dies do not have a very simple manufacturing technology, but this is justified by concrete results in practice - an engineering board in the kitchen will definitely delight you with its appearance and reliability.

Engineer floor is somewhat similar to parquet and solid wood. But there are differences in manufacturing technology, and this factor should be taken into account when choosing a board for the kitchen. For example, a massive board is made from a single piece of wood, and an engineering board is produced in a layered way. There are two-layer and three-layer slats. They have differences that affect the quality and operation of the floor.

In two-layer boards, the top decorative layer is a valuable type of wood. And immediately a huge plus of such a coating is that the tree is able to support any style solution of the interior. Warm textures in the literal and figurative sense of the word give comfort to the room. The second layer is made of plywood and attached to the top one with a special glue. Such a pressed board can reach about two centimeters in thickness. But it is not its total thickness that is important, but the thickness of the facing layer, since over time, if necessary, it can be updated.

Three-layer boards have a longer service life. There is an interesting and no less important point in their structure - the middle layer of the lamella is fixed across. The criss-cross design increases the strength of the product.

The decorative finish of the three-layer board is made of expensive wood, and the bottom layer, like the middle one, is made of high-quality softwood or other plywood. A two-layer board is cheaper than a three-layer one.

It is also necessary to take into account other characteristics of the engineering board for the kitchen in order to make a competent choice:

Board dimensions.
Floor covering installation method.
Color and texture solutions.

Our catalog contains a board in different sizes. Boards vary in width from 125 to 185 mm, each package has panels of different lengths - from 400 to 2100 mm. The size range allows you to choose the most suitable coverage options.

A huge advantage of the engineering board is that it is ideal for any design projects where non-standard sizes of some materials are often needed. For example, like piece parquet, engineered board can be small.

The method of installation of wooden flooring determines the quality of the floors. There are two main mounting methods:

Adhesive.
Castle.

The adhesive method is called the most reliable, since the dies are attached to the floor, and do not move during operation. When fastened with a lock, they also do not move, but if the flooring technology is violated, then over time creaks may occur when walking.

Lamellas with locks are effective when fast assembly is required. The castle floor is still ideal if you need to make a symbiosis with a warm floor. In addition, a module with a locking mechanism involves the use of glue. The choice in favor of one or another mounting technology depends on the goals and possibilities. For example, with the adhesive method, flooring will cost more and you will definitely need a master of your craft. Our company will gladly provide services for the installation of an engineering board. We employ highly qualified specialists.

The kitchen floor is like a piece of art in its own right and the choice of color is also important. The variety of shades of colors is another advantage of the flooring. Natural wood colors can be altered or left in their original form. Changes are achieved by selecting colored varnishes or paints. After surface treatment, the texture of the wood is preserved, and the color changes.

In the kitchen, the finish of the board plays an important role. The best option is a varnish that repels water, grease, dust and other contaminants well.

Suitable grades of engineered kitchen boards

In the kitchen, where the microclimate is always very changeable, a strong and reliable floor covering is a must. To do this, you need to know which board classes are suitable here. There are three main options for the selection of wooden blocks: "rustic", "nature", "select". The boards of these selections perfectly withstand the effects of moisture and the often variable room temperature.

Selection is determined by the type of wood sawing, which determines the appearance of the plates and their pricing policy. There are three main types:

Radial.
Tangential.
Mixed.

The very first type of cut at the output gives the most expensive massive floor, the board in which is as homogeneous as possible in quality. Such wooden panels are valued the most. The selection of radial cut dies is called "select". It is characterized by an even pattern of annual rings, an almost monochromatic color and a mature texture. In addition to the aesthetic component, select engineered boards have enhanced mechanical properties, since the strongest part of the tree, the central one, is used in the manufacture.

Tangential sawing suggests a very different chaotic pattern at the exit of the board. It may contain sapwood, knots, growth rings, defects and other features of wood. If you are planning a kitchen in a colorful or traditional style, then rustic selection boards will come in handy. Dies "rustic" have the best value.

Mixed cut of wood determines the "nature" selection. On the surface, there may be different patterns, more pronounced than, say, in "select" panels. Since the cut occurs at some distance from the center of the tree trunk, the annual rings on the boards look like a wave. The price category is average.

Popular brands on the market

The Russian brand GreenLine produces an engineer with a beautiful and clear geometry and a variety of color variations. Among the collections of engineering boards, Power stands out. The dies have a three-layer design, which is more reliable and durable by default.

Kochanelli is also a Russian manufacturer, having adopted the experience of Italian masters. At the moment, you can order modular and piece parquet from this company. Products are distinguished by a variety of classic patterns and colors.

Other brands available. Each buyer decides for himself which manufacturer to choose, because everyone has their own priorities and wishes. But we can always help you decide on an engineering board for the kitchen.