According to the National Association of Realtors, remodeling your kitchen has one of the biggest impacts on home resale value of any remodeling project. Even if you aren’t considering selling your home in the near future, installing new flooring can give your kitchen new life and durability.
There are many options when it comes to new flooring for your kitchen. We may be biased, but it is well known that hardwood flooring is a popular choice when it comes to the beauty and value of your home.
If you are considering installing hardwood floors in your kitchen, we’re here to assist! We can help you select which hardwood is right for you and your budget, but also for your home’s wear and tear as well. The following is a breakdown of what to consider when choosing what flooring is right for your kitchen.
Solid vs Engineered vs Vinyl Plank Flooring
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is just that. It’s solid, homogenous and exactly the same, plank for plank. It provides you with a consistent look from top to bottom and side to side. Solid hardwood planks are available either pre-finished or unfinished and can be sanded down multiple times, if you choose to refinish your floors. Something to consider, is that solid hardwood must not be exposed to moisture.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is layered with a thin slice of hardwood atop a base of high-quality plywood. This can be both a blessing and a limitation. The vast majority of engineered hardwood is pre-finished. Because the upper layer is thin it can only withstand sanding once or maybe twice before wearing down to the plywood. The biggest advantage of Engineered Hardwood, is its ability to deal with moisture because of the structure of the plywood beneath.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Sometimes, real hardwood floors may not quite fit in the budget. If you like the look of hardwood floors, but don’t want to spend the money on the real deal… Vinyl Plank Flooring is a great alternative! It looks like wood and is easy to maintain – it can actually last several decades and is very affordable compared to hardwood.
Light Vs Dark Hues
Light Shades
Light wood finishes are a common choice for residential homes – and for a variety of reasons. This type of wood finish is less likely to show or highlight scratches, dust or debris. If you live a busy lifestyle or are hard on your floors – this may be a great choice for your new kitchen floors. They are also the perfect neutral foundation for any kind of color scheme you have in your home and match well with almost all upholstery patterns and furniture wood finishes.
Dark Shades
If you want to achieve a luxurious or more dramatic statement – we definitely recommend a dark wood finish – consider something along the lines of a deep brown, natural cherry or mahogany color. When choosing a dark hardwood, matching the flooring to other elements in the home is recommended to tie things together, as it adds to a lavish look. A fallback to a dark wood finish is that it can require more cleaning and maintenance – dark colors tend to show more dust and pet hair more readily than lighter wood options would.
Need Help Choosing the Best Option?
Get an In-home Consultation!
If you’re considering a new floor in your kitchen, speak with one of our experts at The Hardwood Giant. We offer a free estimate to help you find the floor that matches your home, lifestyle, and budget. Contact our office at (704) 251-7279 or use our online form to contact us today!