Hardwood Flooring in the Kitchen?

Would you install hardwood flooring in your kitchen to expand the look of your living area?

  • No way, areas with plumbing should have tile only

    Votes: 5 35.7%

  • Yes, it makes the room look bigger

    Votes: 8 57.1%

  • I'd put carpet

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • Total voters
    14
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While I prefer tile in the kitchen areas... the transition from wood to tile depending on the space may not be favorable.

I've seen wood in kitchens and I think the only concern is dropping kitchen utensils/cookware and water damage. Most modern wood applications (engineered wood specifically) are built to take more abuse than full-on natural wood flooring.

Hopefully the wood you have now is of the distressed type... so any abuse won't be so noticeable.
 
We have bamboo floors in our kitchen and it shows EVERYTHING, so I would recommend against a softer wood like IHO said.

Personally I would prefer tile due to damage from dropped objects and spills/water from washing dishes.
 
LAtoOC said:
We have bamboo floors in our kitchen and it shows EVERYTHING, so I would recommend against a softer wood like IHO said.
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I find that interesting. The marketing material I've read about bamboo other than it being greener was that it was harder than most woods. Maybe it depends on what type and the kind of manufacturing process.
 
if you got kids, go with tile...  wood if you're a fast clean up...  i might even go with the dreaded vinyl for my next house..  i bet vomit cleans up easy on vinyl..
 
Only thing that will damage it significantly to the degree of replacing is standing water like water leak from dishwasher or ice maker.
Other minor stuff should be part of wood's natural "appeal"
 
I had wood floors (the real stuff) in my old house.  Never had a problem.  I hate the transition from tile to wood.
 
If you put hardwood floor where plumbing is (kitchen, bathroom), make sure you buy plenty of spare planks.  That way if there's ever a leak and you have to replace planks, you will have the matching ones.

I know a coworker who only had a few spare planks and had to replace entire floor because he could not find a matching wood planks to do the small section. 
 
From a cost perspective, I'd strongly recommend stone, ceramic tile or vinyl in kitchen, baths, and interior laundry.

I'd ask your flooring specialist to show you some of their new vinyl solutions that have caught up to (and possibly surpassed) some of the laminate options.  As you're also using it on the second floor, it may also be a surface that does not impinge upon the right to "quiet enjoyment" from anyone below.

If you have intentions of renting the home out in the future, I'd also mention that the ceramic is nearly indestructable if you have a quality installation.

If you have infants/toddlers, they will fall often when learning to walk/race around the home, and do better on the more forgiving surfaces (anything but tile and stone). If you already have tile, an area rug might help those fall-down-go-boom moments from escalating to ER visits.

Also, bamboo is very, very soft in general. Not a long-lasting solution. Although it is "green," as in easily renewable, it will also cost you a lot of green later on.

My 0.02c, Good luck Shooby.
-IR2
 
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