The floors are probably the hardest working areas of your home. When looked after properly, they can last for years or even decades. Every day they have to cope with spills, scratches, dirty shoes, pets, and so much more. They will need to be replaced at some point – the question is, when?
Factors to Consider
If you are thinking about a new kitchen design, this is a good time to consider the whole room, and that includes the flooring. The type of flooring already in place and the condition are both important factors in kitchen remodels.
Flooring such as tile, vinyl, and laminate should last up to 10 years, but it can be 25-30 years before you need to replace wood, depending on how well it has been maintained.
Sand and Refinish
Solid hardwood floors don’t have to be completely replaced when they show signs of wear and tear. Sand and refinish floors to make them look as good as new. Most hardwood floors should be able to be refinished as many as six times over the years. Change the color, replace any warped or termite-infested planks, silence squeaky boards, and fill in any gaps. You’ll be good to go for many years to come.
How Much Work is Involved?
It takes time to refinish hardwood floors, so this is something to consider when you are at the kitchen design stage. The wood has to be sanded bare and repairs made before staining and coating. Having to move all the furniture out of the room for days for the work to be done puts many people off – that’s why during kitchen remodels, many choose to fit a new floor.
Time to Replace
If hardwood floors have water damage, they will need to be replaced during the kitchen remodel process. Look out for planks that are peeling, buckling or cracked, as this means the flooring has to go.
It’s also worth remembering that hardwood floors can decay with age. They may become soft and bouncy over the years, which cannot be repaired and may even be dangerous.
New Look
If you have parquet floors you feel are dated, you may want to replace the wood with more modern wide planks. In high-end kitchens, this contemporary style can make a room look bigger, especially if fitted on a diagonal.
Laminate or Vinyl Flooring
Water damage and wear and tear can quickly show on these floor coverings, and they are often replaced during kitchen remodels. If the flooring is peeling, that means the adhesive is starting to fail. The best way to prevent this from happening is by taking a proactive approach. Have everyone take their shoes off at the door, use floor carpets in high-traffic areas, place furniture leg protectors on all chairs, tables, and couches to prevent scratches, and place a mat underneath pet food and water station to prevent spills from lingering and causing damage.
Tiles
Broken tiles can be replaced, and stained grout cleaned and resealed. The biggest problem with tiles is that they go out of fashion, especially in high-end kitchens.
To find out more about quality flooring products from Koval Building Supply, from solid wood and luxury vinyl to laminate, engineered flooring, porcelain, and ceramic tiles, visit one of our showrooms in Pennsylvania and West Virginia today to view our extensive displays.
