Hardwood flooring???

[minnie56]

We are in the midst of a kitchen renovation and I want hardwood (solid oak) flooring all through the main level including the kitchen. I am being discouraged from installing it in the kitchen due to the normal increased humidity and 'in case of leaks' in a kitchen. Does anyone have any experience with hardwood flooring in kitchens, good or bad?

Many thanks!

 

[famofsix]

We have hardwood in the kitchen...I like it but we do have a spot now from a dishwasher leak that has a bump from the water going under it. I am hoping to get that fixed when we replace the dishwasher.

 

[daisyduck123]

We have a hardwood floor throughout the kitchen. It looks great!! It did have to be replaced when it was less than a year old because we had a very heavy snow (or rain, I can't remember which) & the area around our sliding glass back door leaked. Well, the hardwood floor warped in that area...but at least it was covered by insurance.

The whole floor looks great except everytime someone drops a pair of scissors or a knife, it leaves a little "dent" in the floor. Ugg!!

 

[720L]

We have brazilian walnut hardwood floor (i think its one of the hardest woods). I love it. This is my 2nd kitchen with hardwood. I've never had a problem with it except for what one of the other posters mentioned about denting the floor when dropping something. My first floor dented easily but the walnut is pretty durable.

 

[rcraw45425]

Ours are pretty indestructable, oak about 3 inches thick, reclaimed floors out of train cars. They have been skated on, had backpacks dragged across them and are constantly ran over by two active girls and a 3 year old Shih-Tzu. Even dirty, they look better than the white tile I had in our previous house did when freshly mopped. We had a dishwasher problem, it made a white place due to water standing on the waxed surface. We buffed it and it looked like new.

 

[shortbun]

Our home was built in 1921 with oak floors throughout, kitchen too. The area near the sink has darkened some with water damage but it's actually not a bad patina. Overall, our floors are in marvelous shape and could never be replaced by the same quality; it just doesn't exist anymore. We have deep oak woodwork everywhere, even some corners are decorated by oak trim. I love my wood kitchen floors. I take very good care of them. They are much easier on my feet and back than tile or linoleum.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We always have water from dogs drippy mouths and the ice cube maker from the fridge. We would RUIN it. The dogs have already ruined our flooring throughout the house. I do not think it is a great hardwood, could be a laminate even, but it is ruined.
I want Pergo.

I prefer tile for kitchens for us.

 

[minnie56]

What is Pergo? I have heard of it but can't think...

I have a dog (old old old) annd 2 kitties so water bowls are a staple around here!

 

[scraptoons]

Our house is a 1920's bungalow. Original hardwood floors throughout.

I LOVE the wood in the kitchen.

Never have any problems.

Original owner told me she washed with vinegar water then buff dries with old towel.

I tried that, and like it better than anything else to clean with.

It feels so good to the bare feet afterwards.

On the towel buffing, I just throw an old beach towel down, stand on it, and shuffle with my feet. Don't have to be perfect. Just a little shuffling and you are done.

 

[minkydog]

Weve had hardwoods in the kitchen about 10 yrs now and never had a problem. We've dropped stoneware, red Kool-aid, knives, cans and various other items and they still look great. We also have a large poodle(75lbs) who drags in water and sticks. We just wipe up. As another poster said, even when it's dirty it looks better than tile.

 

[Nicolepa]

What is Pergo? I have heard of it but can't think...

I have a dog (old old old) annd 2 kitties so water bowls are a staple around here!

Pergo is a laminate that looks like wood. It is indestructible. I would never have a dog and hardwood. My kids have destroyed my hardwood. I can't wait to get Pergo again.

In my last house I had Pergo and a dog. When we moved the floors looked perfect (after 5 years) and even realtors couldn't tell that it was Pergo.

Cost is about the same price as hardwood.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I look at this way, no matter what you have on the floor, if you have enough water it can get damaged. If you like it, go with it. We are currently considering hard woods on our main floor. I'm leaning toward bamboo.

 

[Amity 3]

I look at this way, no matter what you have on the floor, if you have enough water it can get damaged. If you like it, go with it. We are currently considering hard woods on our main floor. I'm leaning toward bamboo.

no matter the vapor barriers or seams, water will eventually pop any hardwood floor. keep your homeowner's insurance up to date.

 

[minniecarousel]

We have hardwood throughout our house - living room, dining room, hallways and kitchen. I really like it - I use a hardwood cleaner on it and we "swiff" it pretty much daily. And, yes, we have dents from dropping knives(!) Also, someone's high heels pretty much dented it, but it was in the the hallways and the kitchen. Someday, we'll get them refinished, but for now, they're fine. (we aren't having any water issues in the kitchen.)

 

[lulubelle]

After having beautiful hardwood floors in our last house (including in the kitchen) and having them dented and blemished from water and normal kitchen activity , we opted for ceramic tile in the kitchen, entry way and bathrooms this time around. I absolutely love the wood flooring in my house, but am glad we decided to not have it in the kitchen. Good luck whatever you decide

 

[ndelaware]

We are having hardwwod put in throughout the house we are building, and possibly even in the finished basement. I installed a ceramic tile floor in the kitchen of the house we are in now and as of last night I will have to be replacing one of the tiles before we move. Unfortunately my wife dropped a large can on it it last night and cracked a tile. I would much rather be replacinga couple of pieces of hardwood since I wouldn't have to be mixing mortar and then trying to match the shade of the grout or having to regrout the entire kitchen. Which is what is in store for me now.