STEP INSIDE KITCHEN FLOORING
What Wood You Suggest?
Roger Hemmings, Senior Marketing Project Development Manager at Havwoods, explains how wood can work as a flooring option for the kitchen if homeowners pay close attention to some particular considerations.
As a rule, wood flooring is not the most practical of floors to use in a wet or humid environment, so at Havwoods we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a first choice. However, if your customer was set on introducing wood into the kitchen, then an engineered board is the best option as opposed to a solid wood plank. With a huge variety of wood species, dimensions, finishes and surface textures available, engineered floor boards offer an extensive choice when it comes to coordinating with any given home interior scheme.
The multi-layered construction of an engineered wood plank means that it’s far less susceptible to warping in areas where moisture is present and temperatures fluctuate. This means that the wood floor is less likely to swell, shrink, cup or gap. What’s more, because of its stability, most engineered wood flooring is suitable for installing over underfloor heating (UFH), which is not the case for solid wood.
The majority of engineered boards are perfectly suited to use with UFH; this is particularly true of those with a solid oak lamella (the top layer of an engineered plank). Engineered wooden flooring is actually one of the best materials for use with UFH as it’s natural, warm to the touch and a good conductor of heat; but be aware that the different thicknesses of engineered boards available will have an effect on its thermal resistance. This, in turn, will influence how warm the floors feel in conjunction with the UFH system you install. However, a wood specialist and the certification from the UFH supplier should be referred to, to ensure the two are compatible. Consumers should also always use a professional UFH installer.
22 | Tomorrow’s Retail Floors
If your customer is considering a solid wood plank, then it’s important to evaluate the plank finish, as this is also important in determining how well the surface responds to the kitchen environment. Wood is naturally absorbent, so any contact with liquids will often result in the material plumping, warping or staining. Therefore, choosing a plank with a water- resistant finish is essential. A polyurethane-lacquered coating works to cover any pores in the wood’s surface, protecting it from dirt and moisture ingress. Alternatively, a UV-cured hard wax oil coating combines the wear advantage of a lacquer with the subtlety of an oil coating for increased resistance, extending the life of the floor. This hardwearing treatment is micro-porous, water-repellent, dirt-, wear-, and stain-resistant, making it ideal for rooms that are exposed to water spillage, humidity and a high footfall.
Pets, however, are another matter! A lively dog will scratch most wood products so, in this instance, we would suggest something like Havwoods’ Fusion, or go for a textured product from the Henley or Relik ranges, which won’t show surface scratches so easily.
Understandably, the more processes wood goes through, the more it’s likely to cost. For this reason, a pre-finished engineered product will, as a rule, be more expensive to purchase than an unfinished solid one, but it will also cost less to install. Remember, like good kitchens and bathrooms, a timber floor tends to add value to a property.
www.havwoods.co.uk www.tomorrowsretailfloors.com
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