Mudrooms play an important role in the modern home, acting as a buffer between the interior and exterior of your home. Choosing the right wood floors for your mudroom makes a big difference to the look and function of this room. Find out how to add the beauty of wood flooring to your mudroom.
Tip # 1 – Understand that Wood is an Option
Many people incorrectly assume that wood flooring cannot stand up to the abuse and traffic of mudrooms. Although ceramic tile and vinyl flooring have become the traditional choice in this area, extending wood flooring through your kitchen or hallway and into the mudroom makes sense. Compare the cost and durability of wood with other popular mudroom floor options and upgrades, such as natural stone tile. Wood offers a low maintenance, naturally beautiful solution.
Tip # 2 – Pay Attention to the Wood Species
Opt for wood species that stand up well to high traffic and moisture. Read up on Janka hardness ratings and choose something with a decent rating to limit the number of scratches, dents, and dings in your mudroom floor. While many domestic hardwoods offers reasonable strength and durability, exotic wood floors like Brazilian Cherry (aka Jatoba) and Brazilian Teak (aka Cumaru) provide the highest Janka hardness scores. Well-made engineered wood floors in certain species can also be used in the mudroom.
Tip # 3 – Ask About the Finish
You need to invest in a high-quality pre-finished hardwood floor for this area of your home. Not only will a factory finish help speed installation along, but it will hold up well to temperature and humidity conditions. Ask about finishes that utilize acrylic impregnation to protect the wood and avoid oil-based finishes as they tend to fade faster. Make sure to inquire about warranty coverage and follow all of the manufacturer’s care directions to extend the life of your prefinished wood floor.
Tip # 4 – Consider the Installation Process
Purchase a good quality underlayment for your mudroom to support the flooring and provide comfort in this highly used area of the home. Remember to install wood flooring planks on a level subfloor; this becomes very important in the mudroom. Investing in a proper subfloor helps to avoid puddles in the corners of the room and makes it easier to wipe up spills and maintain a clean floor.
Tip # 5 – Add a Good Quality Rug to Help With Moisture
Although you may not want to cover up the natural beauty of wood flooring, a good quality rug cuts down on routine maintenance and allows your flooring to last longer. Pay attention to the rug backing and look for natural products that will not discolor or scratch the wood finish. Place the rug (or rugs) at the entrance door and provide a designated spot for shoes and boots with plastic mats or other creative and clean solutions.
Remember to consider wood flooring for your mudroom during a renovation project or as an affordable upgrade. Follow these tips to ensure the room looks beautiful and performs well for decades to come.