There are so many options when it comes to wooden flooring.
For wooden kitchen flooring, oak is generally the most common although other options include maple, walnut, hickory, and birch.
With all those options, it can be difficult to choose just one.
Consequently, it's important to do a lot of research on your flooring options.
Taking into account your budget, color preferences and the types of finishes and installation methods available.
You may also want to think about whether you plan to install it yourself or have it professionally installed.
Installing real wood flooring in your home can create an eye-catching addition to your kitchen.
Choosing the right type of wood flooring provides you will have the chance to get creative as you play around with the various possibilities.
To help you, we've gathered information on five popular wood flooring options.
Comparison Chart
Our Best Wooden Floor For Kitchen Reviews
1. Armstrong Chocolate Malt Birch Flooring
This flooring option comes at a higher cost than others, but it offers a truly fantastic look. It's a dark, rich wood that will definitely pull together just about any room.
With a 1/2” thickness, this flooring is sure to be quite durable compared to many of the cheaper options out there. You'll also have multiple options for installation, which allows you to choose the ideal option for your home. Furthermore, each box will come with 28 square feet of material.
Features:
What's to like about Armstrong Chocolate Malt Birch Flooring
The look of this flooring is absolutely gorgeous. It's rich, dark and ready to improve the look of any room. It also offers the option to use the floating floor installation method, which is great for those who want to install the floors themselves.
What's not to like about Armstrong Chocolate Malt Birch Flooring
Do keep in mind that this option is going to be quite a bit more expensive than others, so you'll want to be sure you can budget for it. It's also a softer flooring, so it's a good idea to know the advantages and disadvantages of the level of hardness.
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2. Walnut Engineered Moroccan Flooring
If you like a dark flooring in walnut, this is a fantastic option. It's a little less expensive than some other options but is far from cheap flooring.
At 3/8” in thickness, this option will be a little thinner than others, which can be either a benefit or downfall depending on what you need. You'll also get just under 25 square feet of flooring per box so make sure you get enough to cover the space you need.
Features:
What's to like about Walnut Engineered Moroccan Flooring
Customers who have tried out this flooring have found that it's easy to install, which is great for those who don't want to spend the money having it installed by a professional. The finish also does a decent job of protecting the wood from water damage.
What's not to like about Walnut Engineered Moroccan Flooring
Some customers have found that the finish can begin to wear down after just a couple of years, which can leave the wood surface more prone to damage. In some other cases, there have been some issues with getting situations like these covered by the warranty.
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3. Hickory Country Natural Hardwood Flooring
If you're looking for something a little bit lighter and less expensive than the previous options, this one is well worth a look.
At ¾”, this is the thickest flooring option in this list yet. That can go a long way toward helping it stay durable and reliable. For each box you order, you'll get 20 square footage of flooring so make sure you order enough to cover your space.
Features:
What's to like about Hickory Country Natural Hardwood Flooring
This flooring has a simple, elegant look that many are sure to enjoy. Many customers also find that it's reliable, allowing them to get a lot of value for the cost. Even more wonderful is that it isn't going to scratch easily.
What's not to like about Hickory Country Natural Hardwood Flooring
The installation method this flooring requires can be a little more complicated than other options. In some rare cases, some customers have also found that pieces can arrive that are misshapen, warped or otherwise damaged.
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4. Maple Champagne Hardwood
Though this is one of the more expensive options, it offers a great look that many are sure to enjoy. It's a nice median color that will work well for most homes.
For each box that you order, you'll get just under 23 square feet per order. That is a little lower than some other options but it's more than others. You'll also be able to choose between stapling or gluing down this flooring, or you can use the floating floor method.
Features:
What's to like about Maple Champagne Hardwood
One great aspect of this flooring is that you'll get a solid 50-year warranty, which is a long time to keep your floor protected. While it is one of the more expensive options, it's also still within an affordable range.
What's not to like about Maple Champagne Hardwood
Depending on where you order it, the shipping for this flooring can be somewhat expensive so make sure to factor that in. Because it's wood, it's also not going to be completely waterproof. The finish can help to protect it, but you'll still want to make sure any spills are cleaned up quickly.
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5. Oak Gunstock Engineered Hardwood
This flooring has a warm, lighter color that is sure to fit into many households. It offers multiple installation methods so that you can decide the best one for you.
This flooring option comes in 3/8” in thickness, making it thinner than some other options. You'll also be able to get 30 square feet per box, which is a median amount when compared to other flooring options. Furthermore, you'll be able to choose the installation method that allows you to install it yourself, depending on what you need.
Features:
What's to like about Oak Gunstock Engineered Hardwood
Multiple installation options makes it easy to install yourself if you need to. It's also an easy flooring to keep clean and maintain so you won't need to worry about it being too easily damaged. On top of that, it has a great, reddish look that can really warm up a room.
What's not to like about Oak Gunstock Engineered Hardwood
Keep in mind when you order that some of the included pieces may be broken or discolored, so you'll want to make sure you order some extra to cover your space. Some customers can also find that the finish may wear down too quickly, so keep in mind that the warranty is there to help.
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BUYER'S GUIDE
Choosing the best hardwood floor for your kitchen can make all the difference to your quality of life. The kitchen is one area of the house which will receive a lot of foot traffic, from the kids charging down for breakfast, the pacing up and down you do while you wait for the kettle to boil and the pets which hang out in the corner.
The Best Type Of Hardwood For Your Kitchen
When choosing the type of wood you wish to use to floor your kitchen, it is advisable that you choose the hardest wood possible. Ash and oak are typically the strongest species of wood which can be used to make wooden floor panels suitable for a kitchen.
The main advantage of using these types of wood is that they are also very beautiful. The heavy graining found on oak and ash will also help to hide any scuffs and scratches which occur as the floor is used. Alternative species include Santos Mahogany and Jatoba. However, these types of wood can darken over time and are susceptible to changes in humidity.
The Best Type Of Finish For Your Wood Kitchen Flooring
If you choose to install a hardwood floor in your kitchen, you will need to ensure it has been treated with a protective coating. This protective coating will help to protect the wood from stains and moisture.
Although many modern wood finishes are designed for use in any environment, you should look out for a type of finish which is specially designed for use on kitchen floors. This type of finish will be water-based and will create a clear film over the wooden floor, which can be easily reapplied if need be.
You may also wish to use a polyurethane lacquer finish on your kitchen floor. Polyurethane lacquer finishes are extremely durable and strong.
However, if the lacquer becomes damaged, it can be difficult to reapply a fresh coat of finish over the top. This means you will need to sand down and remove the existing finish before reapplying the polyurethane lacquer, which can be time-consuming.
An oil finish is typically cured using a UV light. While this type of finish isn’t as durable as a polyurethane lacquer finish, it does have the added benefit that if it becomes damaged, it is very easy to repair. You simply need to reapply the oil on top of the damaged area. However, you may also need to rent a special UV light so you can properly cure the new finish.
Top Floor Color Choices That Work With Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you have wooden cabinets in your kitchen, this could dictate the colour of the wooden floor that you install. If you have light cabinets, you should opt for a dark wood floor, and if you have dark cabinets, you should opt for a lighter coloured floor.
Following this interior design trick can help to create an interesting contrast in your kitchen. As a flooring specialist for a colour chart or catalogue so you can choose the perfect colour of wood for your kitchen.
Tips To Maintain Your Hardwood Kitchen Flooring
Your kitchen floor is likely to be subject to a large number of spills, stains, dust and debris, so it is important that you know how to maintain the surface.
Clean Up Any Spills As Soon As They Occur
If you spill anything onto your kitchen floor, you should clean it up immediately. Do not hang around. The longer you leave a spillage sitting on the surface of the floor, the greater the chance is that it will do serious damage.
Do Not Use Strong Cleaning Products
You should not use any strong chemicals such as bleach when cleaning your wooden kitchen floor. Doing so could cause serious damage to the wood. You should instead use products which are specially designed for use on wooden floors.
Regularly Sweep And Vacuum The Floor
You should sweep or vacuum your kitchen floor at least once a day to remove any dirt and debris which has accumulated. If you do not do this, the debris may be trodden into the floor surface where it will cause scratches which damage the finish.
Always Have A Damaged Kitchen Floor Refinished
If you notice that the finish on your kitchen floor has sustained any damage, it is very important that you take steps to repair the damage by refinishing that area of the floor. To do this, you will need to sand away the existing finish before reapplying a fresh protective coat.
Advantages Of Installing A Wood Floor In Your Kitchen
Installing a wooden floor in your kitchen has several benefits:
- A Warm Feel: Wood is a very warm material which can help to make your kitchen feel inviting. Using the same type of wood in the kitchen as in other rooms can help to create a stunning uniform look throughout your home.
- A Long Lasting Solution: Installing a wooden floor in your kitchen provides you with a long-term flooring solution which is also environmentally friendly.
- A Comfortable Feel: It is likely that you spend a lot of time on your feet stood in the kitchen while cooking. A wooden floor is a warmer and softer surface when compared to other types of flooring, which means you will be comfortable while you wait for a meal to cook.
FINAL VERDICT
The Oak Gunstock Engineered Hardwood is the top choice for this article, due to the warm coloring, affordable price and ease of maintenance. It's a great flooring option that can work for a number of different households and situations.
Second to that is the Armstrong Chocolate Malt Birch Flooring due to its gorgeous, appealing look. It's truly a flooring option that will add a touch of sophistication to your home. If neither of those options are quite what you're looking for, then all of the others in this list have a lot to offer, so go check them out.