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Wood flooring in kitchens can create a warm and stylish look, but in Singapore’s hot, humid climate and with the high moisture levels in kitchens, it may not be the most practical choice.
3 Pros of Wood Flooring in Kitchens
Wood floors provide a natural, warm, and timeless look that enhances the kitchen’s overall design. They are softer than tiles, making it more comfortable to stand on for long periods. Wood flooring reduces noise compared to tiles, which can be loud when utensils or appliances are dropped.
4 Cons of Wood Flooring in Kitchens
Kitchens are high-moisture areas, and wood is susceptible to warping, swelling, and mould growth when exposed to water spills. Wood flooring requires sealing and regular upkeep to prevent damage, making it less convenient than tiles or vinyl. They can be damaged by sharp objects, heavy appliances, and high foot traffic, leading to scratches and dents. Finally, Singapore’s humid climate and the high heat in kitchens can cause wood to expand and contract, affecting durability.
Water Spills on Wood Flooring
According to Terry Tan, director at stone and tile company Rice, water spillage is common in kitchens, so it is not suitable to overlay your kitchen tiles with real wood or laminate flooring, unlike in a living room or bedroom.
To achieve the look of wood but with the added toughness, durability and ease of maintenance for such an often-used space, your best choice would be to install wood-lookalike homogenous tiles. These can be laid over your existing flooring.
However, overlaying is advisable only if there is already a difference in levels between the kitchen and the area adjacent to it, such as a step up or down. Otherwise, there is no way to bridge the part where the flooring of different heights meet. If the existing flooring is sound and intact, with no cracked tiles and unevenness, conventional 10mm-thick timber-look tiles will be good enough to lay over it.