Wooden flooring adds a beautiful, warm and welcoming feel to the home. However, it isn’t exactly known for its stability. When exposed to changes in temperature and moisture, wooden floors are known to expand and shrink. This can lead to permanent damage to the floor if it is consistently exposed to high levels of moisture for example. This typically means you can’t install it in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom.
However, the good news is, there are ways to bring wooden flooring into moisture-prone and fluctuating temperature areas. Advancements in technology have meant flooring can now be developed with a number of impressive features. Here, you’ll discover how to add wooden flooring to the kitchen or bathroom without worrying about water damage.
Consider using luxury vinyl flooring
Did you know it’s possible to add a wooden effect into the kitchen and bathroom without actually installing a wooden floor? Luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way in recent years, with manufacturers focusing on creating authentic wood and stone effects.
If you take a look at the luxury vinyl flooring selection at Stories Flooring for example, you’ll see there are hundreds of realistic wooden effect floors available. Some of them make it extremely tough to tell that they aren’t really made from wood. You’ll find every type of shade available from light oak to maple. They also feature different types of finish effects to enhance their authentic designs.
On top of the visual benefits, you’ll also receive a lot of practical benefits when you choose luxury vinyl over real wood. They are much cheaper, which is a huge benefit in itself. However, they are also a lot easier to maintain too. So, you won’t need to spend hours keeping up with the maintenance of these floors.
It’s worth noting here that we’re talking about luxury vinyl, rather than traditional vinyl flooring. The luxury vinyl floors are constructed from layers, giving them both the look and feel of wooden and stone flooring.
The benefits of engineered wood
If you’re impressed by the luxury vinyl wooden floor effects but you’re still determined to install actual wood, engineered products may be ideal. You’ll find engineered wooden floors are much less likely to change due to difference sin temperatures and moisture.
While you still take caution installing an engineered wood floor in the bathroom, it could be a great option for the kitchen. An expansion gap will still need to be left around the room, but you should find it doesn’t contract nearly as much as solid wood flooring.
As an additional benefit, engineered wood flooring also comes with a long life. This means you’ll be presented with great warranties included. However, you will need to check that the floor is marked as being suitable for use in the kitchen or bathroom, otherwise the warranty could become void. If you’re in doubt, it’s always best to ask the manufacturer or the company selling the flooring.
Waterproof laminate
Did you know it’s possible to invest in waterproof wooden flooring? You’ll find a lot of laminate products today offer great waterproof features.
Balterio flooring is a particular leader when it comes to creating waterproof laminate floors. The brand ensures each plank is individually waterproofed to provide maximum protection. These floors come in a variety of designs such as wood and stone. They work because they are made up of resin composition which is effective at resisting moisture.
By selecting a floor that’s advertised as being waterproof, you know you can safely install it in the kitchen or bathroom.
Make sure you’re choosing the right finish
No matter which type of flooring you choose to invest in, the finish can make a big difference to how waterproof it is. If you’re buying engineered wood flooring for example, make sure it has an oiled finish.
You’ll find floors with an oiled finish tend to offer more thorough protection than lacquered flooring. This is because the oil seeps into the wood, providing protection throughout rather than just on its surface.
You’ll also find parquet style finishes tend to provide the most luxurious look. This style of flooring goes particularly well in the bathroom. You’ll find laminate, luxury vinyl and engineered wooden floors which feature the high-end parquet designs. The only type of wood you can’t use in the bathroom or kitchen is solid wood. This would become damaged quite quickly if exposed to extreme levels of moisture and heat.
As you can see, there are ways to add a wooden floor into the kitchen and bathroom. You can also invest in alternative flooring products which provide a remarkable wooden effect. You are literally spoilt for choice when it comes to water-resistant flooring. So, take your time to compare the different options available before choosing the best one to suit your home.
