Since I have moved in with my boyfriend, we started doing changes in the house. We started looking for the best engineered wood flooring for the kitchen. We wanted to change the existing dark brown slate flooring in the kitchen for several reasons. Firstly, it was an insulation issue, followed by a mismatched style with existing decor, and lastly, the natural cut slate tiles were causing a hazard. If a glass broke, it would spread into 1000s pieces, hiding in corners, taking days to remove. Not to mention the number of times someone would hurt their toes on the uneven slate.

( Please note: Our whole kitchen reveal post is coming next week, where you can also see the floor in a beautiful new updated kitchen.)

This wasn’t good, especially while having small children in the house. I wasn’t sure at first if an engineered wood flooring in the kitchen would be suitable. However, after researching companies, and reading about installing engineered wooden flooring in the kitchen, we decided that this was definitely for us. I have always been a huge fan of wood flooring. It was not a brainer for me. We came across Quick-Step, a Belgium based company with experience dating back to 1960.

Featured product Gifted by brand by opinions is my own.

wooden flooring in kitchen

Once we ordered a few samples, and they arrived within a few days. We decided on the engineered hardwood, as we believed with good maintenance and care we would enjoy real wooden flooring in the kitchen. We had to match the samples against existing furniture, as well as the planned new tap, wall paint and leather handles – it worked beautifully. Also, we decided to go with Massimo range, hardwood in Winter storm oak extra matt oiled.

I was drawn to the large plank size 2400mm length by 260mm width as we have a really big kitchen with an extended dining area. For easier installation, we also decided to choose the click version with its easy click mechanism which Quick-Step wood floors are famous for. This made it easy and quick to install with no more than a handsaw, pencil & mallet. You can purchase the Quick-Step installation kit containing a tapping block, pull bar and spacers.

Before & After

I didn’t take exact sam images for before and after, sadly but below you can see the difference! Also, our kitchen is huge. It looks very small on pictures, but it’s really big with another dining area behind the wall where the floor was also laid, but due to light and current renovation process of that area, I couldn’t get it into the photoshoot.

 

Slide right to left to for before & after

 

Here also, a few images from the process of getting our tiles removed. We prepared the surface using self-levelling compound, before installing the underlay ready for the floor itself.

 

More about Massimo range, hardwood:

It comes with a lifetime warranty and it’s compatible with floor heating. Something we are considering for the future. As our floors are not glued we can easily dismantle and apply that in the future and re-install our floor back. Also as it has 4 grooves the finished look it’s just purely beautiful.  Another fantastic technology that comes with a Quick-Step hardwood is:

‘Surface & Edge Protect+’, an innovative surface technology. To maintain the original appearance and stay clean for long they have applied the technology to prevent any dirt or mud stick within joints or texture. ‘Wood for Life’ technology was introduced to stop liquids soaking into the wood which makes the joints looking dirty. It’s a moisture-repellent that helps your flooring to maintain their look from their authentic state.

Hardwood is a beautiful feature in your home.

Questions you asked me on Instagram DMs. I had loads of questions from you guys after posting my stories abs some content on social media, so here I have collected all your questions and answer them below:

Facts about our engineered hardwood:

What exactly is engineered hardwood flooring? 

It’s a three-layer of solid wood containing finishing layer, face layer, core & backing layer. These engineered wood floors are also covered with a protective finish. This includes seven layers of UV-cured water-based lacquer abs two layers of quality modified oil. Face layer is 3mm thick and core costs of spruce or HDF. The last backing layer is a combination layer that also contains spruce.

Where is suitable.

Generally speaking, engineered wood flooring is suitable for most moisture-free spaces like a living room, corridors, bedrooms or offices. However, with the right care, it can be also applied to kitchen and bathrooms ( not Wet Rooms!) but only if you are prepared for that extra care and can wipe any spillages on the go. Also, make sure all your pipes, any potential water escape its sealed.

This flooring its truly unique, the colour, texture & grains are literally perfection.

How long it last

Hardwood floors can last for 10 years, but if you add extra care to it, regularly oil it abs maintain, it can last much longer. Also Quick-Step offers lifetime Warranty for their certain floors.

Around pets around children

I wouldn’t recommend more hardwood flooring to pet owners abs families with children. Unlike with any other flooring types that can absorb pet urine and smells, it’s far easier to clean as you can easily wipe or hoover pet hair. Also, no nasty bugs or bacteria that often can hide in carpets. It probably most hygienic floors, you can ask for.

Cost

Hardwood can be more expensive than other floors, but certainly, it’s an investment as it will last longer, looks beautiful and can be a stunning feature for any house.

Insulation

Hardwood can also save you money, as opposed to tiles it will keep the house warmer. You can also add some stunning rug fo cosines in your living room or waterproof rug in the kitchen.

cleaning and mainatance

Cleaning your flooring. It’s not advised to use steam-mop for hardwood flooring, instead opt for a mop with attached spray where you can use specialist products for hardwood. Also, I’m writing this post after having the floor for several months now, and the floor is as good as new. I do admit, we are being very careful with it. We have applied safety felt stickers to all furniture legs to prevent scratches. Despite close access to dishwasher and sink, where spillages are not avoidable, we wipe them straight away and there is no marks nor water damage. We are thrilled with that flooring and I would choose hardwood for the kitchen at any point in the future too.

I hope you enjoyed the post abs I have convinced you that engineering hardwood flooring it’s the only way to go. Have a lovely day all.

If you have enjoyed the post, have a look at my Youtube Video with all behind the scenes and renovation process.