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When to use wood floors in the kitchen

Written by

VidaSpace®

29 November 2021

 • 

3 min read

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Wood floors extending into the kitchen from throughout the rest of the house is an excellent way to create a seamless design and is a growing trend, but unless you understand and accept the limitations of a wood floor in a kitchen environment, it is best to use a different complimenting material such as stone or tile.

The challenge:

Kitchens have a high amount of traffic, stuff gets dropped, and liquids are often spilt, all of which a wood floor can react to negatively. Most people focus on the durability of the finish, which is critical and is covered in this article, but there are other things to consider as well which are also pointed out.

When to use wood floors in the kitchen
When to use wood floors in the kitchen

A more in-depth look into some of the different finish choices:

No matter what type of finish used on the wood, it will be more sensitive in a kitchen environment.

Lacquer finishes are hard, durable finishes that tend to keep liquids and stains out for a longer period, but once the liquids get in the joints or underneath the finish, it will start flaking, peeling and virtually have no protection whatsoever. Repairing liquid or other caused damage to a lacquer finished floor can be an extensive and painful process usually involving complete sanding and refinishing or board replacement.

Traditional penetrating oil finishes have the ability to be easily repaired and protect the wood from within, but liquids can more easily penetrate and stain the wood. These stains can be spot repaired easily with a spot remover and touch up oil but requires more attention to ensure liquid is wiped up. Prevent stains from happening in the first place.

Hardwax Oil (particularly the Marldon Hardwax Oil) is the ideal finish to provide longevity and maximum protection from stains and liquid penetration as well as ease of repair in the case of stains or damage to the finish. The hardwax layer acts like a lacquer in resisting penetration of liquids, stains and dirt, but still allows the wood to expel moisture without flaking, blistering or peeling to ensure long-term protection. The oil in the hardwax oil also penetrates into the wood beneath the surface adding protection, depth of colour and beauty. Marldon Hardwax Oil brings you all the benefits of both lacquer and traditional Oil finishes ensuring you get the best possible outcome you can receive from a wood floor in any living environment.

When to use wood floors in the kitchen