What are your thoughts on polished floors in the kitchen?

[Daren]

Ive got timber floors in the lounge and dining room.The old kitchen had lino that Im ripping up and installing a new kitchen.

Im planning to polish the floorboards in the lounge, dining and continue it into the kitchen.

any pros or cons to this?

whats your preference for kitchen floors?

[bitingmidge]

No Cons.

Easy to maintain, looks flash, warm underfoot, more gentle on dropped things than tiles.

Cork is the best by far, it's very resilient and drops just bounce back into your hands. Pity it's soo uncool.

P

[markharrison]

Our last house had polished floorboards in the kitchen. It was fine.

[munruben]

I have been thinking of doing the same in my office but was a bit worried as to how the floor would stand up to the constant rolling back and forth of the office chair. Anyone got timber floor in their office?

[scooter]

I agree with Darren re: cork. It's a great surface, shame about the look of it.

Only con with polished boards in the kitchen is that if they're pine, they will collect a lot of dings that can look average. The nice look of the polished timber may outweigh concerns about this though.

[OBBob]

I have been thinking of doing the same in my office but was a bit worried as to how the floor would stand up to the constant rolling back and forth of the office chair. Anyone got timber floor in their office?

You could get a higher quality chair with rubber casters or you can get the clear plastic mats that they tend to put on carpet, which would also stop the scratches.

[Pops]

Our last house had polished floorboards in the kitchen. It was fine.

Hi Daren,

Have lived in houses with Jarrah boards, pine boards, tiles, slate, concrete, vinal and lino (for those that can remember it).

So, I agree with Mark, BM and Scooter. No problem with timber floorboards, however a hardwood would be my preference. I intend to put Jarrah boards in my kitchen, one day. Then I can build the kitchen. Joy!!

Better on the feet than tiles I reckon and, like others have said, things get a better chance to live after falling on timber as opposed to harder surfaces.

This question has been raised before, regarding slip issues with timber. Do a forum search for more info. For me slip hazards on timber floors in a kitchen are minimal, not much differenet to some other surfaces. And really, how much running does one do in the kitchen anyway?

I would also be happy to continue the floor covering in the main living areas into the kitchen. Usually this continuity looks better than a change in materials, but it depends on the layout of course.

If the kitchen timber floor is prepared and sealed professionally then you should have no problems with it from the normal wear and spillage of any kitchen. Just my opinion though, I do like timber floors.

Give us an update when the job is done Daren.

Cheers
Pops

[Daren]

thanks for the replies everyone

will post an update with pics when done, Pops. Might be awhile though, as Ive got to do a complete bathroom and kitchen first.

That reminds me - I had a thought of polishing the floors in the kitchen before installing the new kitchen. (The kitchen is completely gutted at the moment.)

By polishing the floors first I thought it might cut out the hassle of sanding right up against the cabinets. But the usual is to do the floors last right?

(Still havent decided to get a pro to do the floors or have a chop myself)

thoughts?

[bitingmidge]

I have been thinking of doing the same in my office but was a bit worried as to how the floor would stand up to the constant rolling back and forth of the office chair. Anyone got timber floor in their office?

Yep. All good, but we live at the beach so there tends to be a fair amount of grit turns up underfoot, and it's easy to get scratches where the wheels are if you aren't careful.

If you buy a good quality chair, you can get soft castors made for hard floors - do that and you won't have any troubles.

Cheers,

P

[Pops]

thanks for the replies everyone

will post an update with pics when done, Pops. Might be awhile though, as Ive got to do a complete bathroom and kitchen first.

That reminds me - I had a thought of polishing the floors in the kitchen before installing the new kitchen. (The kitchen is completely gutted at the moment.)

By polishing the floors first I thought it might cut out the hassle of sanding right up against the cabinets. But the usual is to do the floors last right?

(Still havent decided to get a pro to do the floors or have a chop myself)

thoughts?

Hi Daren,

I am a patient man so am happy to wait for the update.

Well, funny you should doing the floors before the kitchen install. Why? Because that is exactly what I have been considering for a while. I reckon whether the pros do it or I do it, it has to be easier and faster. Downside is, the kitchen installers need to be a bit more careful with the floors. Sounded an OK thing to do to me.

Yes, I do believe it is usual that the kitchen is installed first, you save a bit on not sealing the timber under the cabinets too I guess.

There may be other very good reasons to do the usual, kitchen first, floors polished second, but others may need to help out here.

Pro vs DIY sanding/sealing of floor. Some friends have done it and were happy with the result, others were not. For me, (one who is basically lazy and reluctant to learn the skills on my own floor and probably stuff it up) I would go with the Pros, particularly for a large area /several rooms. But it can be done with top results DIY.

Cheers
Pops

[barney118]

You could get a higher quality chair with rubber casters or you can get the clear plastic mats that they tend to put on carpet, which would also stop the scratches.

Hi, this is my first post as I was looking for something else for myself, however I can tell you I have baltic pine floorboards in the sunroom/computer room approx 50yrs old and I had them polished with most of the house 5 years ago and they came up quite good, however with the computer chair moving (wheels) I started to get a fine cracks which looked like the laquer was peeling in my haste I decided to pull some off thinking it would just peel off (flake) however I was WRONG and it split the timber and required glueing sanding and a mini reno on the floorboard. Now I have a mat to put the chair on and I am much wiser.

[scooter]

Gday Barney, welcome, & thanks for chiming in.


Cheers................Sean

[Dirty Doogie]

DEfinitely sand the floor before your cabinets go in if you can - much easier.

[Terrian]

we (meaning me!) redid the kitchen about 10 years ago, about 4 weeks ago I got around to sanding the floor (again) and sealing it with Cabots CFP water based polyurethane, then last weekend we (ie: me) removed almost everything from the laundry and added the same finish to there.
A pic I just took:

Attachment 66385

The missus loves the finish. The Cabots CFP is great, 1/2hr and you can walk on it, 3hrs between coats - sand between coats. Cost about $95 for 4lt, enough to do the kitchen & laundry

[Daren]

DEfinitely sand the floor before your cabinets go in if you can - much easier.

so, you think sand AND polish before installing the kitchen. Or should I sand only - install the klitchen then polish ??