Tips for Hardwood in kitchen?

[simpsongal]

After receiving a scary flooring estimate for vinyl (recall my post last week), we have decided to lay hardwood floors in the kitchen/hall/main bath areas. We're getting solid oak floors sanded, stained, and finished onsite (they're also refinishing the adjacent family room floors). Shockingly, it was cheaper than laying vinyl tile.

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations for having hardwoods in high-traffic or wet/messy areas? Should I put down floor mats near the sink and stove?

[tarheels]

We've had HW in 2 kitchens and never had any issues at all. Maybe if you handwash all the dishes and really splash around...? Of course if the dishwasher explodes your floor's ruined, but a mat isn't going to solve that. I do keep a little cotton mat in front of the sink, but that's more for decorating than anything else.

[ellipsis]

The most water that gets on our kitchen hardwood floor is either from the dog's water bowl, or when I'm putting dishes in the dishwasher. We have a cotton rug in the front of the sink that catches most of that water.

[simpsongal]

Good call on the lacquer. I forgot about our pup's eating area. Maybe I'll get a more substantial plastic contraption w/low sides, just in case of spills and for drips.

[midwest07]

Jul 16, 2012 13:15:43 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Good call on the lacquer. I forgot about our pup's eating area. Maybe I'll get a more substantial plastic contraption w/low sides, just in case of spills and for drips.

We have hardwoods in the kitchen. Our house is around 15 years old and they are in great shape. The only area where they are looking a little worn is the spot where the dogs have their water bowl. The constant little drips throughout the day add up and can slowly wear away the finish. So keep that area as dry as you can with a towel underneath or wiping up after the dog, and you probably won't notice any issues elsewhere.

We even have two nice wool rugs in the kitchen, and I just vacuum and spot clean those and they look great too. I know some people only have indoor/outdoor rugs or washable rugs in the kitchen, but these have been fine for us.