Budget-Friendly Wood Flooring Solutions for Kitchen Makeovers
If you’ve bought a house that’s in desperate need of a kitchen revamp, or your kitchen floors are starting to look tired, wood flooring is an excellent choice.
Wood floors are warmer and more comfortable underfoot than traditional kitchen flooring options like stone and ceramic tile. They also have a timeless aesthetic, can complement a range of design styles and are practical and hardwearing enough to withstand everything even the busiest family can throw at them.
But what is the best wood flooring for kitchens? Here are some budget-friendly options to consider.
Laminate wood flooring
If your budget is tight, laminate wood flooring is a wallet-friendly wonder that has the look of real wood without the price tag. It’s easy to maintain and comes in a range of design styles. Many laminate products also have a simple click-lock system so you can install the floor yourself.
Laminate wood flooring consists of four layers that are pressed together at a high temperature and pressure.
- The bottom layer protects against moisture
- The second layer is a resilient composite wood core
- The third layer features a high-resolution picture
- There’s a final layer of surface protection for resistance to daily wear and tear.
They combine to create a hard-wearing and low-maintenance flooring solution that may not match the beauty of real wood but is more affordable.
Vinyl plank flooring
Vinyl plank flooring is another budget-friendly alternative to real wood that can create the high-end look of a wood floor. Unlike laminate flooring, vinyl floors are made entirely from synthetic materials and are available in interlocking planks or tiles.
One of the major benefits of vinyl flooring is that it’s completely waterproof, making it well-suited to kitchen use. It’s also slip-resistant, durable and easy to clean and maintain. On the downside, it cannot compete with the natural warmth and beauty of real wood. Arguably, It’s also less realistic looking than laminate. Of all the vinyl flooring products, thicker, solid-core vinyl planks best mimic the appearance of hardwood.
Engineered wood flooring
With a top layer of hardwood on top of multiple layers of ply, engineered wood flooring for kitchens has the rich, textured look of real wood but is more affordable than a genuine hardwood floor.
Engineered wood floors are moisture-resistant, durable and stable – everything a kitchen floor should be. You can also lay underfloor heating without the floor expanding and contracting to the same extent as solid wood.
An engineered wood floor requires more protection and maintenance than laminate or vinyl. You should mop up any spills or splashes quickly and be careful not to scratch the surface when moving furniture. Using felt pads under chairs and applying protective oil to your floor annually will help to keep it looking its best.
Bamboo flooring
Bamboo is a more affordable way to get a real wood kitchen floor. Bamboo has a natural resistance to moisture, is strong and durable, and comes with a variety of finishes. It’s also renewable and sustainable, with its eco-credentials being one of its biggest draws.
Unfortunately, there are a couple of downsides, too. Bamboo is prone to scratching, although, like any real wood floor, you can sand and refinish it to remove surface damage. There’s also a fairly limited range of aesthetics, with its lighter hues best suited to contemporary design styles.
Hardwood flooring
Hardwood or solid wood flooring is the real deal. It’s made from nothing but solid planks of wood and has an unmistakably elegant look and feel. Woods such as oak, maple, walnut and cherry are typically the best choice for kitchens due to their superior durability. If there’s less activity in your kitchen, you could consider a softer wood such as pine or ash, which are also lighter in colour.
Hardwood kitchen floors are easy to clean and maintain, and if they do become marked or stained over time, you can always sand them down and refinish them. They’re also softer and warmer than stone or tile. Although hardwood floors are the most expensive of all the wood flooring solutions for kitchens, they’re an investment that will add value to your home.
Hardwood flooring supply and installation
At The Flooring Group, we have a stunning selection of wood flooring solutions for kitchens, including hardwood floors. Visit our showrooms or get in touch with our teams throughout London for a free floor fitting consultation and quote.