Wood has not lost its charm over the ages. In the olden days, the homes featured attractive and elegant floorings made of planks of pine wood. Maintenance procedure was quite simple. Dusting was done by sprinkling wet saw dust and sweeping the surface. The Wooden flooring surface was sealed from dirt and water by oiling them once a year with tung or linseed oil.

There was always a skepticism surrounding usage of wooden flooring, especially in the kitchen. This is because spills could result in liquids and water spotting the floor, especially for flooring made of oak. The other problem with wooden floors is that they scratch easily, especially when moving large kitchen appliances, like the dual purpose Hotpoint FF4DX fridge freezer, for example. With advancement in technology, we now have the hard wood floors finished with polyurethane which is easy to maintain and clean and lends the same touch. A careful sealing is however essential. An option could be covering the floor area around the sink with vinyl tile that is cushioned or ceramic tiles. A special glue is also available which is water proof and can be used to seal the floors.

Cork is predominantly used for kitchen flooring too. One of the reasons for its popularity is the fact that it is soft on the feet. It also lends warmth and a feeling of comfort in the kitchen, especially during cold winters. A great advantage with cork is that it is moisture resistant and does not absorb water or any other liquid easily.

Cork grows back in the tree from which it is cut in ten years time. This makes it a renewable resource and is therefore ideal for flooring.

Tags: advice, diy, flooring, home, kitchen