In the kitchen? I'd go with something that tolerates spills, leaks and moisture well, along with the occasional pullout of the refrigerator and less frequent removal and replacement of appliances (workmen dragging stoves about...)
In other words, not wood. There are some tiles that echo a wood-like appearance. That would be my choice.
We have 'engineered wood' on the first floor of our house, except for the kitchen and bath, which are tiled.
I'm not a fan of wood there. It might work out okay, but it's a worry I'd rather not have, and it's easily avoided. Individual planks can be made fairly impervious to water on their faces (for a time, until the coating is compromised), but the gaps between the planks can't be made watertight. And there must be gaps if it is natural wood (it moves seasonally).Anyone have any reccos for flooring? Not so much cost but quality/wear. Doing our kitchen/entry. Thanks
Wood is wonderful! Throughout our house, we installed local cabin grade heart pine, including the kitchen. The only tile is in laundry and baths. If you seal it properly, there is no need to fear it being compromised by water.
Nothing nicer underfoot, and it has worn admirably in the nearly 13 years since we built our house. Just about time for a freshen-up, which will be a light sanding and a few more coats of polyurethane.
I have oak floors throughout the house, but I used ceramic tile for the kitchen. While polyurethaned floors may resist the occasional slopped water, if your dishwasher fails and floods the floor, it will ruin any real wood.