Hardwood Vs. Granite Tile for a Kitchen Floor
- Wood flooring is one of the most common types of flooring used in homes across the world. It is relatively inexpensive when compared to granite, and there is a wide array of wood types available. Hardwood floors are used in living rooms, bedrooms and a variety of other rooms throughout homes, and they are generally a durable type of flooring material when installed properly.
- Granite is the hardest natural stone available on the market for use in residential and commercial applications. It can be used for countertops, kitchen backsplashes, bathroom floors, showers, entryways, kitchen floors and anywhere else in the house that a person can think of. Unfortunately, granite is also one of the most expensive types of natural stone available to purchase, but its price is directly related to the simple fact that if it is installed properly, it will last a literal lifetime and beyond.
- While granite may be durable and long-lasting, it does lack certain comforts compared to a hardwood floor. Unless there is a heat mat installed under the granite floor, it will remain extremely cold in the winter months and cool the rest of the year, while hardwood floors tend to remain room temperature. In addition, wood tends to be more flexible than granite, allowing for the accidental dropping of things like glasses and plates without them shattering upon impact. Wood also has a natural flexibility, and when combined with the padding installed beneath can make for a more cushioned floor that is particularly welcome if you are spend a substantial amount of time on your feet in your kitchen.
- Moisture is one of the biggest concerns for a kitchen floor installation. Ceramic and porcelain tiles, as well as harder natural stones such as marble and granite, are well-suited to areas where moisture will be prevalent given the fact that they can be sealed against the moisture. On top of this, granite cannot rot. Wood, on the other hand, can rot, and even if a hardwood floor is sealed against moisture, there is always the continued threat of it being damaged by moisture.
- One of the biggest mistakes individuals make when they begin designing their future home or when they begin contemplating a remodel is putting aesthetics ahead of realistic material specifications. A person might think that one type of flooring will look perfect, but fail to understand that there are inherent properties of certain types of materials that keep them from being a good choice. This is one of the pitfalls of choosing hardwood floors for a kitchen, because though they might be perfect for living rooms and many other areas, they are not well-suited for kitchens or other areas that have moisture and wet spills.
- If you absolutely have to have wood for your kitchen floor, there are a variety of products on the market that can help you protect your wood floor against the moisture that eventually and inevitably the wood will be in contact with. However, there are no guarantees when using hardwood floors in the kitchen. Granite, on the other hand, is completely resistant to moisture and, when sealed, can provide a homeowner with a lifetime guarantee. While wood can be used, it should only be used in cases where the homeowner is not worried about longevity.