Types Of Wood Flooring That Are Not Suitable For Kitchen Areas

Wood flooring is a great choice for homeowners. Not only does it look elegant, but also has numerous benefits that homeowners find to be helpful.

But when it comes to kitchen wood flooring, homeowners tend to take a backseat while choosing wood types. Why is that so? The kitchen is that area of a house where spillage, heat, and moisture are found in abundance. Wood is not typically a great choice for such a place.

In this excerpt, we will be taking a look at some of the different types of wood flooring that are not suitable for kitchen areas.

Wood Types Unsuitable For Kitchen Flooring

Let’s not waste any more time and plunge into the topic of discussion right away-

●   Solid Hardwood Flooring

The very first kitchen wood flooring type is solid hardwood flooring. Although it is one of the most preferred wood types offering superb durability and longevity, installing it in the kitchen is not something that we would recommend. This is because solid hardwood flooring is very susceptible to moisture damage. Kitchens are generally considered to be high-traffic areas along with a high moisture content. Installing solid hardwood flooring might result in the floor planks getting warped, cupped, or swollen. So, it is best not to install solid hardwood flooring in your kitchen.

●   Softwood Flooring

Wood types such as Pine and Fir are classified under ‘softwood materials’. These wood types are not as tough and durable as that of solid hardwoods. That’s the reason why they are so susceptible to damage like scratch and dent formation, and also tend to wear out pretty quickly. A kitchen is a place that is subject to heavy furniture movement, spillages, dropped utensils, and various other forms of damage. Softwood materials are less dense, and are therefore more vulnerable to such heavy impacts, and might suffer irreparable damages.

●   Thin-Veneered Engineered Flooring

We all know by now what engineered wood is. However little do we know everything about an engineered wood. Engineered wood flooring is designed to have a stronger and tougher core than solid hardwood flooring. But thin-veneered engineered wood has much less density (lower than 2mm). This makes it unfit for areas with high traffic and prone to damage like the kitchen. The topmost thin layer might wear out, exposing the wood beneath to damage. Consider using thicker veneered engineered woods for kitchen areas.

●   Unfinished Wood Flooring

Unfinished wood flooring, which requires on-site sanding, staining, and finishing after installation, is not ideal for kitchens. Kitchens are busy spaces, and the installation and finishing process can be time-consuming. Additionally, the finishing process can leave the wood susceptible to moisture infiltration before the finish is applied, leading to potential damage.

Hence, these are some of the many wood types that are not at all suitable for kitchen areas. Being a high-moisture-prone zone, you need to choose an optimal kitchen wood flooring material for the best results.

Also Read: Things You Should Know Before Installing Wood Flooring