Engineered wood in kitchen - will it be okay?

[Scottishboi]

Hi all,

I've been reading through a few threads already on this topic and it seems to have people divided! Some people say they love their engineered wood and would have it again, others say they'd not recommend it.

I thought I'd ask the question again but with my personal context - I live on my own with a cat. There's a tiled hallway that leads to my kitchen and a utility room with lino that leads to my back door.

I only have a sink and dishwasher in my kitchen (in terms of appliances/facilities with water) as my washing machine is in the utility room.

I personally don't like LVT so have been trying to choose between laminate and engineered oak. I could get a reasonably realistic laminate that would in total be £1000 less than the engineered oak, but I prefer the finish of the latter.

I just have the fear a bit as it's quite expensive and I'm worried I put it down then it gets badly damaged. However, given it's just me and my cat I'm hoping it would be alright? (I'm okay with dents etc, just not bits of floor randomly warping etc).

Any reassurance and/or advice appreciated!

Oh, and it's engineered oak 11mm thick planks with a 4mm top layer I've been quoted for (laid in herringbone) 😀

I’vr had mine for five years in the kitchen. A part of one plank is a bit warped. Overall it looks ok and I’m not unhappy with it.

It's fine. Mine is most damaged in the living room because of the bloody sofa.

If it is named after a bird avoid it like the plague. It won’t last.

I went for engineered wood upstairs and full hardwood downstairs. Looks beautiful and it's been fine in the kitchen. I do wipe up all spills, and actual mopping is done with a wrung out mop (one of those that whizzes round and round to extract as much water as poss before you use it, so that the floor is totally dry in about 5 minutes).

For day to day muck (round the dog bowls for instance) I use a hardwood surface cleaning spray and a soft cloth.

I paid a lot of money for mine for the living room and hallway and bitterly regret it. It stains ridiculously easily and isn't very hard wearing at all. I was advised not to put it in the kitchen and am soooo glad I didn't. It would be completely trashed by now! The floor has been down for 5 years and despite using the correct (expensive!) cleaning fluids it looks like it's been down for 50 years!

I have it downstairs in my house,including the kitchen and it has been great. It still looks in really good condition.

I've had it in my kitchen for years and it still looks great!

Thanks all for your replies, it's much appreciated! I think I'm going to go for it as I know I'll be careful and it's just me and my cat in the house anyway 😀