Wooden floors in kitchens

Emcm

My question is can you put wooden floors in kitchens ?

I have done a bit of research on line and I am getting mixed feedback. Some people say absolutely no because of water etc. Others say it's fine as long as you look after it. I have then read something about it must be Engineered wood. I don't even know what that is ? Is that a fancy name for laminate.

I am toying between tiles and wooden flooring for my kitchen and I can't decide. My issues with tiles are I find them ( this may sound weird) tiring on your legs if your standing all day which I do a lot. If you drop something it smashes. I have 3 kids under age of 5 so lots of slips and bumps so when a head hits tiles it hurts.

I have Lino at the moment and do find it great it was a cheap fix in an old kitchen so I would like something a little better quality for my new kitchen

Any opinions feedback would be appreciated. My kitchen is gonna be a traditional style, Vanilla colour with walnut effect worktop

650gs

No problem at all I have put wood in lots of kitchens and even bathrooms in my own house I have oiled oak, in the main bathroom walnut spill water all the time with no issues, its only if you have a major leak or prolong water on the floor you have a problem, and then thats what you have insurance for.
If you want some pics PM me an email address

dfbemt

Solid wooden floor in kitchen for the last 10 years, with young kids and a puppy during that time.

Lots of spills, wee wee's and other forms of abuse.

Still there, still happy. Would have no hesitation recommending.

For the 1st 2 years we had a floor mat by the kitchen sink but OH didn't like it so it went and no problems at sink area either.

The wood is a little warmer also.

firlodge

Confession time - I've been an interior designer for 25+ years!
Always recommended timber floors in kitchens - & did the same in my own home.
Some months ago my dishwasher leaked! Now the floor is being changed for stone - definitely harder on the legs but I don't want the hassle again in the future😰

650gs

Well unless you had a really big leak the timber should have been ok would need water on it for a long time to do damage, also how often has this happened to you once ??????? I do a lot of insurance work as I am on the insurance panel for three of the major company's in Ireland and work for a lot of the free lance loss adjusters and in six years of this type of work have only changed the floor in three kitchens for this type of leak.
Don't get me wrong we have changed hundreds of floors over the years but the chance of a leak that will damage the floor in the kitchen is very little, and if it happens two days work to remove/replace not such a big deal

Kewreeuss

Nine years, ordinary varnished timber floor, long runner on floor along work top with sink and dishwasher, no problem ever.
Sure must have been the mother of all leaks!
Would prefer wood to tiles with toddlers!

hotdog10

Alot of houses in the US have wooden floors in their kitchens, solid wood not engineered wood or an alternative and they last just fine without any problems. It's like everyone says, if you've got a major leak or a flood then you might encounter problems with warping etc, but in general you'd be just fine. I don't love the look or feel of tiles either and am planning on putting wood in my kitchen too.