“Hardwood flooring is stylish and sustainable, comes in a variety of natural colors, and doesn't absorb dust or debris, making it easy to clean and maintain,” he says. Murphy says it is also a good choice for the kitchen because you rarely need to replace hardwood flooring.
Hardwoods, such as oak, maple, and cherry, are the most durable. Softwoods, such as pine, will dent—even if treated with a penetrating finish.
Tile. A classic and durable look, tile flooring has long been the go-to option for wet areas. If installed, grouted and sealed properly, tile can last a lifetime and sometimes longer. Tile is, anecdotally-speaking, the number one most popular option for kitchen flooring.
It is not necessary for your kitchen floor to be darker than the base cabinets or wall cabinets. The color of your kitchen floor can actually be a little lighter or darker than the cabinets. This creates a proper balance in the room.
For kitchen flooring, durability and ease of cleaning are top criteria. Good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile--both very common--and wood. Linoleum is inexpensive and provides an easy-to-clean surface and comes in countless designs. Ceramic tiles are even better.
Installing flooring before your cabinets is the best choice for most hardwood floors. When professionals install floors then cabinets, it's easier to get everything to standard heights. It's also a safer installation process for your cabinets since you won't risk any damage to them as professionals install the floors.
Use Area Rugs
Placing a few area rugs in the most high-traffic and mess-prone areas of your kitchen goes a long way in protecting your hardwood floors. These areas are likely to be in front of the sink, stove, dishwasher, and even the refrigerator.
Sweep or vacuum the floors regularly in order to keep them free of dirt and grit that can scratch the wood and wear away the finish. As a general rule, it is best to mop wood floors only occasionally and to do so with a slightly dampened mop or towel.
Don't use straight ammonia, alkaline products or abrasive cleaners. They'll dull or scratch the finish. Don't rely on lemon juice or a vinegar-and-water solution to clean hardwood floors. "I don't recommend using vinegar or lemon juice, at least not in large quantities, as these can damage the floor's seal," said Wise.
Hardwood floors are resilient and long-lasting. With proper maintenance and care, they can last centuries. The greatest advantage of hardwood flooring is that it is easy to clean and maintain. While spills and stains on a light-colored carpet can be a disaster, on a hardwood floor you can simply wipe them away.
Although it may be tempting to deep clean your hardwood floors with a steam mop, don't. “Drastic temperature changes and moisture may warp the wood,” says Steve Stocki, manager of marketing and merchandising at Lumber Liquidators. That's true whether you have solid or engineered wood floors, and for bamboo, too.
The quick answer is YES! Using the same flooring throughout ties rooms together, improves flow, makes the home seem larger, simplifies cleaning and maintenance, and is often easier on the budget.
Floor Mat Company notes that a well-made rubber mat can protect your flooring and reduce the amount of noise your refrigerator makes. You can also find thinner plastic floor protectors to use, or spare laminate flooring panels can work as well.
While refrigerators and stoves can be removed easily to install the flooring, the same cannot be said for kitchens with a dishwasher. However, it is possible to install laminate flooring under a dishwasher without completely disconnecting it.
Yes, just make sure that you cut the flooring cleanly with a tile saw so it aligns with the cabinet base. Replacing kitchen flooring without removing cabinets saves you time and money. You won't have to install flooring under the cabinets that no one will see.
In most cases it's best to raise the front legs to allow the flooring to run under about two to three inches or where the stop area won't be visible. For thicker flooring the dishwasher may have to be removed. Otherwise if it has to be serviced it may not come out without causing damage to the floor itself.
Just placing your fridge on the carpet will result in several problems. First, your carpet could get wet, thus producing mildew or even mold, which can cause a foul odor. Additionally, just placing the fridge on your carpet will hinder ventilation, reducing cooling.
When it comes down to finding the best flooring to increase home value, it all boils down to your market. Hardwood will likely give you the highest return, but laminate and luxury vinyl plank flooring also offer plenty of perks to buyers.
While some people think that they should match the floors throughout their homes for a sense of uniformity and space, it is unnecessary to do this. At Classic Floor Designs, we recommend that you consider mixing different types of wood on the floors throughout your house for a stunning result.
The Trend Is Ending. Prominent grey colored hardwood floors have been strong the last 6-7 years. With hardwood floors, strong trends usually last five years, then something else comes along or so it seems.
Do not wet mop wood flooring.
Damp is good. Dripping wet is bad. If you can ring out the mop or pad, you're working with too much water. Excess water will lead to damage of the floor, and even the subfloor.
a disinfecting solution of 1/2 cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach and 1 gallon water. the area, then mop or wipe with the disinfecting solution. for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Air dry.
Murphy oil soap will bring natural shine to your wooden floors. All you need to do is dilute it properly and follow cleaning tips mentioned above. It's unique blend of natural oils, mixed with a hint of pine scent will clean away your dirt and grime while leaving behind an anti-slip and shiny finish to your floors.