Should You Install Hardwood Flooring in Your Kitchen?

Should You Install Hardwood Flooring in Your Kitchen?

Should You Install Hardwood Flooring in Your Kitchen?

Hardwood flooring adds beauty and value to any home, so it’s no wonder they are one of the most popular flooring options for many homeowners. However, there are some things you should know before opting for hardwood floors in your kitchen, and other viable flooring alternatives to consider for your kitchen, as well.

The following article offers a few important factors to consider, in terms of whether or not to install hardwood flooring in your kitchen.

1) Cost
Hardwood is a premium product, so it’s not the most budget-friendly option when it comes to flooring options. However, because it is so highly valued and in demand, it’s bound to add resale value to your home, when and if you do become ready to put your house on the market.

Contrary to what you might think, there’s no notable price difference between engineered hardwoods and solid hardwoods. Certain types of hardwood, such as Brazilian hardwood or mahogany, cost more than standard domestic hardwood options like cherry, maple, or oak.

2) Installation, Durability, and Maintenance
Engineered hardwood flooring tends to be easier to work with when it comes to DIY installation. Engineered hardwoods tend to leave more gaps between boards, and are therefore more susceptible to buckling and damage. It’s arguable, that going with solid wood flooring will be a greater investment, in terms of longevity, since it’s easier to minimize the gaps between boards when they are well sealed and butt up tightly against one another. Choose a harder, more solid variety like mahogany if you want to minimize the likelihood of water damage.

Cleaning and maintenance generally requires only regular sweeping and periodic damp mopping with a good hardwood cleaner. Be sure to keep hardwood floors well-sealed to minimize the chances of water damage that are more likely to occur in a kitchen than elsewhere throughout the house. Even if you opted for engineered hardwood, some upper-end engineered floors allow you to refinish them. With effort, you can eliminate scratches and other floor damage through sanding and a fresh coat of varnish to seal the wood.

3) Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring
If you are unsure that the cost and maintenance requirements of hardwood flooring are worth the effort for your kitchen, consider options like vinyl, stone, ceramic tile, or cork flooring.

Though tile and stone are comparable in terms of price, vinyl flooring is much more affordable and much easier to maintain. It’s considered waterproof and virtually indestructible, as well. In addition, there are types of vinyl plank flooring that are almost identical in appearance to hardwood floors. In fact, you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference unless you got up close to examine the material.

Another possible alternative to hardwood flooring is cork flooring, and you can opt for the tile or plank variety. You will want a good sealant like polyurethane to make the floors more waterproof and stain resistant, as well. However, In terms of seasonal comfort, cork with its warmth and sponginess is hard to beat. Moreover, its relative softness and elasticity make it safer for accidental mishandling of dishes or glassware.



Hardwood flooring is a great option for kitchen flooring as long as you monitor upkeep and take care to avoid excess spillage or moisture. As long as it’s regularly cleaned and resealed, it should last many years. Remember, you can always sand and refinish it, if it really needs some livening up. Re-sealing the hardwood flooring will ensure longevity.

We wish you the best of luck deciding between your various kitchen flooring options. lease contact us to help you install and design your next kitchen floor. We can make the entire process, from consultation to installation, more relaxed and stress-free. With Quest Interiors as your experts in the business, we will make sure you are satisfied and well-informed about your flooring vision.