Hardwood floors can elevate any space, from a residential home to an event space to a commercial office space. Hardwood provides durability, aesthetics, easy cleaning and maintenance, and can last for a lifetime. Because of this, many homeowners and commercial owners want to install hardwood flooring in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms, to elevate and enhance the look and feel of a space and add value to a property.
However, while hardwood can be a good option for such spaces, it’s not always the right way to go. At First Atlanta Flooring, we like to inform and educate our clients on the benefits and downsides of installing hardwood floors in kitchens or bathrooms, to help them make the right decision for their specific needs. This is what clients need to know about this subject.
Installing hardwood flooring in kitchens
Hardwood floors are a good option for the kitchen in a residential home. They can elevate the aesthetics of the space, making the kitchen a cozier, more intimate space for a family to get together. At the same time, hardwood floors are highly durable, they provide stability, and can withstand heavy traffic, all while being softer and more comfortable than tile. Hardwood floors can also last for decades before needing to be replaced, especially if properly cared for.
This leads us to the potential disadvantages of installing hardwood floors in a kitchen. Water is hardwood’s number one enemy, and any spills or water damage can prove extremely disastrous. If water infiltrates deep into the wood planks, it can cause irreversible damage that can lead the hardwood to weaken and even rot. In this case, it will need to be replaced. To avoid spills and unintentional water damage, it’s recommended that a rug, mat, or carpet be placed in the area around the sink or stove, to protect the hardwood from any damage.
At the same time, hardwood is sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture levels, which can cause warping or cupping in the planks. Since temperatures fluctuate in kitchens due to cooking and stoves and ovens working, it’s advisable to always ventilate the space when cooking and try to maintain a constant temperature at all times.
Installing hardwood flooring in the bathroom
Clients who are thinking of installing hardwood flooring to their bathrooms need to carefully consider the pros and cons, and listen to the advice of flooring professionals. Since hardwood is extremely susceptible to water damage, it’s not the best option for a bathroom. These types of spaces experience changes in temperature and humidity constantly, and that can have a damaging effect on hardwood, causing it to warp and even buckle. Any potential water spills can lead to infiltration, which can cause the hardwood to become damaged from the inside, and even rot, requiring replacement.
Even with a fresh coat of quality finish, the hardwood can never be fully protected from water and high humidity levels. Water can infiltrate under the hardwood planks, appliances can cause unwanted leaks, and water from the sink or shower can cause damage over time, like rot or mold that only becomes noticeable when it’s too late. That’s why we don’t recommend installing hardwood floors in bathrooms. Instead, we recommend installing ceramic or porcelain tile, which is not susceptible to damage from water, steam, leaks, splashes, or plumbing accidents.
Final Thoughts
We don’t advise our clients to install hardwood flooring in a bathroom, because of the potential dangers from appliance leaks, steam and high humidity, water spills, pooling, and splashes, which can hurt the integrity of the floor. However, hardwood can still be an elegant option for a powder room or a small guest bathroom where there is light traffic. For such spaces, hardwood can bring warmth, especially during winter, when tile flooring can feel quite chilly. Hardwood floors can also enhance the look of a guest bathroom or powder room, making it an elegant and durable choice, especially when coated with a solid layer of quality finish.
When it comes to kitchens, tile is still the best option if there is high traffic, shifts in temperature and humidity, and a lot of cooking activity. However, hardwood can be a viable, upscale choice, as long as the floors are protected with rugs or mats, refinished at least every five years, and properly cleaned and maintained. Any spill should be cleaned and eliminated immediately, to avoid any water or other substances from infiltrating deep into the wood. With proper care and protection, hardwood floors in a kitchen can last for decades, adding warmth, durability, and timeless elegance to any home.
Reach out to First Atlanta Flooring for more information on hardwood floors, and for any inquiries about our products and services.Â
