Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Kitchens: Classic Look, Modern Benefits

It’s been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Think of all the moments from cooking and eating to scrolling social media and having late night heart-to-heart talks that take place there. Many people work from their kitchens, taking calls and answering emails. It’s where homework help happens while dinner is made. Since so much time is spent in kitchens, it’s crucial that they look like the inviting spaces that they are, and we spend just as much time achieving style as we do function!

Matching Kitchen Floors

In the past, homeowners would choose one type of flooring for the main areas of their homes and put different flooring in the kitchen. It was usually some sort of tile or vinyl flooring because hardwood flooring doesn’t respond well to wet messes and spills that can happen in the kitchen, and carpet will not work in this space at all. It is certainly an option to change floors in the kitchen, however, if the goal is a genuine look and feel of wood, engineered hardwood flooring is a worthy contender.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring In Kitchens

Made from a layer of hardwood over a core of plywood, engineered floors have many of the same benefits of hardwood flooring. They look like real wood because they are, just not entirely, which can also be a good thing. Engineered flooring holds up better to moisture and temperature changes, and are less likely to warp and bow than hardwood floors.

You will discover that engineered hardwood products are available in the same species of trees as solid hardwood flooring and can be found in different plank widths. Whether you want dark, light, or another tone in between, there is an engineered floor that can work for your decor. These products come ready to install as a floating, nail-down, or glue down floor, and can even be installed in trending patterns, such as herringbone or chevron.

In addition, there is no image layer, as with many of the other popular floors today, that can potentially repeat every few boards and call attention to themselves. Engineered floors are also easy to keep clean by sweeping up messes, vacuuming weekly and damp-mopping as needed, just as you would care for traditional hardwoods. If real wood beauty is what you want, engineered hardwood just might check the box.

Maintaining Engineered Hardwood In Kitchens

So what’s not to love about engineered flooring? Engineered hardwood floors are made of wood, and should be treated as such. Although they don’t require as much care and maintenance as traditional hardwoods, any wet spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid damage. In addition, engineered floors can be scratched or dented by gritty mess, pet nails and shoes with narrow heels, so take care to avoid these before damage can occur. If you discover damage, some engineered floors can be refinished, which is great news. However, they can only be redone a few times, because with engineered floors, the hardwood makes up only the top layer, rather than the entire plank.

If it’s the look and feel of wood that you are after, consider engineered wood floors. You can see that they offer the classic, timeless feel of wood with many modern benefits. When you are ready to talk to a professional, stop by and visit our helpful experts at Echo Flooring Gallery. We can review all the details you’ll need to make your decision easier, and advise you about the installation process. You may have a clean and classic kitchen wood floor in less time than you think!