The kitchen is often looked at as the heart of the home and most homeowners spend at least a couple of hours a day in the kitchen - cooking/preparing meals, cleaning, doing chores, socialising, finding out about each others’ days etc.
There is always so much going on in the kitchen that people are often unsure as to how they should decorate the space, particularly when it comes to the flooring.

Some homeowners don’t think that wood flooring in the kitchen is suitable because of the risks from temperature changes and moisture, whilst others believe that wood makes for the best type of flooring in the kitchen.

If you have already decked out your living room, hallway and dining room in hardwood flooring, then it might make sense to continue this into the kitchen to keep things consistent and create an easy flow from one room into another.
Plus, no one can deny that hardwood flooring looks beautiful in any space, especially in the kitchen.

But how do you handle all of the hazards in the kitchen that could cause damage to your newly fitted hardwood floors.

Spills

Accidents and spills are more common in the kitchen than any other room in the house as this is where meals and drinks are prepared which is bound to create some mess and result in a few spillages. You might accidentally knock over a glass of wine or spray droplets of water from the faucet onto the floor whilst you are washing dishes.

We already know how dangerous water exposure can be to wood flooring; the fibres in the wood easily absorb water which can cause curving and cupping of the floorboards leaving them looking unsightly, and feeling undulating underfoot.

The best way to avoid water damage from these kinds of incidents is to wipe away spills as quickly as possible, before the liquid has time to absorb into the wood.

In the kitchen, this will mean regular maintenance, such as mopping or wiping the floor dry a couple of times a day, particularly after you have finished preparing food/drinks or using the sink as well as acting quickly when there is a major spillage.

With oiled floors, we would also recommend using a maintenance oil from time to time in the cleaning schedule, this will definitely give the floor some love and make it leave it looking beautiful.

Changes In Temperature

The heat and steam caused by cooking can cause the temperature in the kitchen to fluctuate rapidly and often. These regular changes in temperature can be a huge risk to wood floors, especially when there is potential exposure to humidity as this will create moisture on the floorboards and have the same effect as any other kind of water exposure.

In order to reduce this risk and keep your wood floors in good condition, you will need to control the temperature in the room.
The best way to do so is to ensure that the kitchen is well-ventilated so that the hot air is able to escape out of the room and cool air from outside can enter and circulate. This will greatly reduce any steam or moisture.

The best method of ventilation in this instance is to keep a window open whilst you are cooking or using any kitchen appliance that may cause the temperature in the room to increase. You also have the option of installing an extraction fan, as you would in the bathroom, or buying a dehumidifier and using it as and when required.

Kitchen Appliances

There are several appliances that are stored and used in the kitchen that are prone to leaks, most commonly washing machines, dishwashers, faucets/sinks and fridge freezers. This could be caused by high water pressure, a blockage, broken or damaged seals etc. and many other reasons that are beyond our control and, usually, non-preventable.

Again, a leak will expose your wood floors to water and cause irreversible damage so, if we can’t prevent these leaks from happening in the first place then your best course of action is to react accordingly if/when they do happen.

As soon as you notice a leak, you will need to mop up all the water and continue to keep your floor as dry as possible.

Once you are able to identify which appliance is responsible for the leak then you should refrain from using it until it has been fixed. If that is not possible (maybe the plumber cannot come out for another week or two), then you will need to put measures in place to protect your wood floors from the water such as laying down towels that will absorb most of it.

QUICK TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

It’s clear that the biggest risk wood flooring faces in the kitchen is water because of the purpose that this room serves, so instead of not installing beautiful wood flooring in your kitchen for fear of water damage, there is another thing you can do to protect your floors as soon as they are installed.

The finish that is applied to your wood can be a huge role in protecting it from water. A lacquered finish is hard-wearing and shields the wood at surface level so liquids can’t penetrate the wood so easily.
You will still need to take other precautionary actions such as the regular maintenance and ventilation mentioned above, but this should ease some of the fears and anxiety when the floors are first installed.

On a separate note, if you do choose to have wood flooring in your kitchen, then you will need to make sure that it’s the last thing that you fit. If you try to fit the kitchen units on top of the floor it could prevent natural movement in the wood and cause gaps or buckling over time.

Furthermore, there is a misconception that wood flooring in the kitchen will make it more difficult to sell your home when the time comes. Not only is this untrue, but it couldn’t be further from the reality.

Hardwood flooring will always add value to your property and, with many property experts stating that the kitchen is the most important room when selling your home, when the hardwood floors are installed in this particular space, it can have even more of an impact on the property value.