What Is The Best Hardwood Flooring For Kitchen?

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular options for homeowners who want a classic kitchen. Oak is one of the best hardwood flooring for kitchens. The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in a house. There is a lot of activity that goes on in this room. This makes it necessary to install hard wearing flooring that can withstand all the traffic. Oak adds elegance, character, and warmth. 

Hardwood flooring is authentic, smooth, and warm, making it the best choice for kitchens. You need a surface that can withstand drops and spills. Oak is one of the strongest wood species used to manufacture flooring. Its rich grain makes it unique. This type of flooring has a beautiful texture, making it easy for you to disguise scratches and dents on your kitchen floor. 

Oak is preferred over mahogany because it does not change color over time. It is not react to humidity change, meaning that you do not have to worry about contraction and expansion, which can make the surface crack. 

Stylish 
One of the aspects that make oak a great choice for kitchens is the fact that it is stylish. It will make your kitchen look sophisticated. You will find it easy to coordinate this flooring with your kitchen furniture. This flooring also brightens the entire room. There are various oak varieties to choose from including white and red oak. You also have various finishes to suit your kitchen needs. 

Durability
The kitchen needs durable hardwood flooring and this is exactly what you get with oak. This wood is harder compared to redwood. It has better shock absorption because its fibers are dense. The flooring will resist wear and tear. White oak also repels insects and a fungus because it has a high tannic acid concentration, ensuring your kitchen is free of pests. This is an important attribute because this is where you prepare your meals, making hygiene essential. 

Both white and red oak resist splitting and tend to have exceptional holding capacity. White oak is a great choice for kitchens because it is virtually water-resistant. This means that you do not have to worry about damage every time there is a spill on your kitchen floor.

Easy Installation
This is another great benefit of choosing oak hardwood flooring for your kitchen. The oak flooring is easily installed by gluing, nailing, machining, and screwing. It also responds well to various finishing treatments, this means that you have a variety of color and shade options to select from. The oak flooring will work well with any stain color and finish that you choose to give you an attractive look. 

Ages Well
Oak tends to look better as it ages. This reduces the amount of repairs that you have to carry out once you have installed this hardwood flooring. Its color tends to get richer as the wood ages. 

Allergen Free
If you have a family member who suffers from allergies, oak is a great choice because it does not hold dust. To keep this hardwood flooring clean, all you have to do is use a mop or broom, removing any allergens that may be in your kitchen. This attribute is especially important if you have pets and children because they tend to spend a lot of time playing on the floor. 

Environmentally Friendly
If you are an environmentally conscious homeowner, oak is ideal because it is a renewable resource. Oak manufacturing requires less energy compared to synthetic flooring. 

Varied Finish Options
There are various surface finish options that you can use on your oak flooring to protect it from damage. The finish you choose should be easy to renew. One of the finish options you can choose is lacquers because they are durable and hard-wearing. They are ideal for kitchens but you may have to replace certain sections after a while. If you use lacquers in your kitchen, make sure there is a small rug or mat near the stove, fridge, and sink because these areas are prone to spills and drops. 

Another surface finish option is oils. They will not offer the same kind of protection for your oak flooring but they make it easy for you to repair damage in specific areas. You can carry out repairs by staining or sanding the oak.