Flooring is an important part of any kitchen. However, many people dismiss wood as a flooring material for kitchens, choosing stone or tiled alternatives instead. While conventional hardwood can be hard to maintain in humid environments like kitchens, engineered wood flooring suffers from none of the same limitations.Â
Another way to create a seamless and attractive look for your perfect family kitchen is to match the style of your engineered wood flooring with your kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are an essential element of any kitchen, and they have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of the space. If you’re planning to install new cabinets, it’s a great idea to consider your flooring material as well. This will allow you to select the perfect type of wood flooring that complements the colour, style, and finish of your new kitchen cabinets. You can easily find high-quality kitchen cabinets online that match your flooring, making it simple to achieve a cohesive design.
Engineered wood is not only durable and easy to maintain, but it also offers you a complete range of style options. This makes the obvious choice if you’re looking to overhaul your kitchens with the traditional charm of oak wood flooring. Â
One of the biggest advantages of engineered wood flooring is that it’s an incredibly hard-wearing product. Unlike traditional hardwood floors, engineered wood panels and planks are made of many individual layers. Multiple layers of ply are bonded together with premium adhesive, producing a superior core that delivers impressive levels of stability and durability.Â
This plywood core is then finished with a stunning layer of veneer made from genuine hardwood trim. This means you can install grey wood flooring or light wood flooring easily, without having to worry about the material warping over time.Â
Unlike standard hardwood floors, engineered wood doesn’t expand and contract when exposed to moisture. This makes it ideal for use in kitchens where spillages, steam, and high temperatures are unavoidable. Because it’s so resistant to temperatures, engineered wood flooring can also be installed above underfloor heating systems. This makes it a go-to flooring choice for major renovations and new-build developments. Â
Wondering about how to clean engineered wood floors? Thankfully, this type of flooring requires very little maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Although engineered wood can cope with everyday exposure to spills and moisture, you’ll still want to keep on top of a regular cleaning schedule. When it comes to cleaning your engineered wood floors, try and limit the amount of additional moisture you’re exposing the material to.Â
As a rule, avoid aggressive chemicals and things like floor wipes. A slightly damp mop will go a long way in getting rid of surface stains. Meanwhile, soft-bristle brushes and vacuum cleaners can make quick work of crumbs and other debris. If you must use cleaning agents to tackle more stubborn stains, use specially formulated solutions that are designed for use on wooden floors. Even then, it’s a good idea to dilute this to prevent unwanted damage to veneer finishes. Â
One of the biggest drawbacks to hardwood flooring is installation can be time-consuming and expensive. Engineered wood flooring is far easier to install, with fewer restrictions when it comes to awkward floor plans.Â
Engineered flooring is suitable for floating installation. This means flooring materials can be laid down over an underlay, without you having to attach anything to the subfloor itself. Instead, individual planks are attached, providing you with a secure surface and smooth finish. Floating installation is particularly efficient if you’re thinking about installing long plank wood flooring or Versailles panels. However, even herringbone flooring and chevron can be installed quickly using this method.Â
In addition to saving time, floating installation means you won’t have to use fixtures like screws and nails. This prevents your premium flooring from suffering superficial damage during installation. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about using toxic adhesives and other chemicals. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option and want to maintain clean air quality within your home, engineered wood flooring makes sense. Â
Engineered flooring may only contain a small amount of solid wood, but you can still maintain and refinish it in much the same way as hardwood alternatives. If your engineered wood planks and panels boast a thick veneer, you’re free to sand surfaces and apply finishes and stains.Â
When choosing engineered wood flooring for a kitchen, it’s advisable to go for a thicker veneer. This not only affords you more freedom when it comes to maintenance and refinishing but also protects against everyday wear and tear.Â
If you want the option to sand and stain your flooring over time, make sure you’re picking a product with a thick veneer. On average, you can expect to remove around 0.5mm of surface material during every sanding task. Provided you’ve picked flooring with a veneer thickness of 2mm or more, you’re free to carry out several sanding tasks during the lifetime of your flooring. Â
When it comes to overhauling a kitchen, you should never overlook the importance of flooring materials. In addition to choosing something stylish, any material you pick should be able to cope with intensive use and the temperature extremes the average kitchen experiences.Â
What are the different types of wood flooring available for kitchens? At Wood Flooring Ireland, we’d be happy to talk you through all the options available to you.
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