For many of us, the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house. Whether it’s preparing dinner or gathering with the family to eat that dinner, a lot of time is spent in the kitchen and a lot of activity takes place in the kitchen. With so much time being spent in this part of the house, you want flooring that not only looks good but can handle the activities that happen in a kitchen, such as cooking and spills.

One type of flooring that many homeowners love is hardwood flooring. But is hardwood flooring the best option for busy kitchens? Let’s go through the pros and cons of having hardwood flooring in your kitchen, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home!

Pros

Easy To Maintain

If you’re like most people, you probably make a bit of a mess when you’re cooking. In this case, hardwood flooring is a great option, as it is easy to clean and maintain. All you need to keep your hardwood flooring clean is a vacuum, a broom, and a wet (or preferably, damp) mop. As long as the spill is handled in a timely manner, it should pose no real issue.

Appearance

Many homeowners consider hardwood flooring to be the most attractive flooring material on the market. Regardless of your preference, there is a hardwood species and color that will fit your taste and your kitchen’s design. Additionally, if you have hardwood flooring in other areas of your home, having it in the kitchen can tie together your home’s design.

Durability

In a high-traffic area of the home such as the kitchen, the floor is undoubtedly going to take more of a beating than other areas of the home. That’s why a durable flooring material such as hardwood can be great for kitchens. The thick, solid construction of hardwood flooring make it extremely durable and able to be sanded down wherever there are signs of wear and tear.

Cons

Scratches and Dents

Due to it being a natural material, hardwood is not as hard as some manufactured flooring materials, making it more susceptible to scratches and dents. This can be a problem, especially in a busy area of the home such as the kitchen. While some scratches may be able to be handled with sanding, dents can pose more of an issue.

Cost

With hardwood being a natural material, it can cost more than manufactured flooring materials such as vinyl and tile. While hardwood provides a luxurious appearance for your home, for many people, the price may be too much.

Not Water Resistant

Exposure to moisture can cause hardwood to swell, wrp, or split. In an area where so many liquids are present, such as the kitchen, spills or leaks that are not spotted quickly may cause damage to the floor. You also have to be careful with how you clean your hardwood floors, as mopping with too much water can also cause damage to the floor over time.

While a majority of homeowners love the appearance of hardwood floors and would love to have them in their kitchen, they do not come without their drawbacks that must be considered before making the switch. It’s important that you weigh both the positives and negatives regarding hardwood floors in the kitchen. 

Whether you decide to go with hardwood floors or another type of flooring for your kitchen, Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring can provide you with the best products at the lowest prices. Stop by any of our five stores today to shop our massive inventory!