As a good number of kitchen magazines prove, installation of hardwood floors is gaining popularity fast. In fact, it has been accepted as a trend among modern homeowners. It all boils down to the type of hardwood used and the quality of the installation job.
Site-finished Hardwood
Unlike pre-finished hardwood which is stained and sealed in the factory, site-finished hardwood arrives at your home with no stain or seal. Its surface features only raw wood. The stain and sealer are only applied when the installers finish nailing it down.
Remember, the installation of both the pre-finished and site-finished hardwood flooring is done through the same method – tongue and groove. Nonetheless, the site-finished installation job has the benefit of application of a thin, cohesive layer of sealant from one end of the surface of the floor to the other. It is, therefore, rendered impermeable.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
When for some reason you cannot install site-finished hardwood flooring in your kitchen, there is still another option. If you keep the quality high enough, engineered hardwood is as good as solid hardwood, sometime better. One of its most beneficial features is its cross-layer make-up which enables it to resist the effects of high humidity and moisture. In addition, it has a top veneer engineered to prevent water from seeping through it into the wood beneath.
Bottom Line
Apart from ability to resist the effects of water and other liquids, there are factors that will surely determine how long your kitchen hardwood flooring will remain intact. The kitchen is accessed by almost everyone and, therefore, it experiences more traffic than some of the other rooms in the house. It is inevitable that after some years, the marks of heavy traffic will begin to show. There is no cause to worry, however, since you can easily screen or sand them down.
You need to protect your hardwood flooring from scratches and dents. In most cases, using a throw rug is good enough. However, bleaching may occur on the parts left unprotected if your kitchen is exposed to strong sunlight. If you visit the Relative Space website, you may be able to find more information.