Protecting Kitchen Oak Flooring

[engineer2]

So the wife won out, and we are putting Mullican 5" x 3/4" pre-finished solid Oak T&G in the kitchen (and entire first floor) during our remodel. As we all know, spills occur in kitchens and kids don't clean it up if no one is around.

I was wondering if there is a product that can be put in the seams to help keep water and dirt out.
Some thoughts came to mind of what can be wiped into the grooves:
OSI Quad diluted with mineral spirits
diluted wood glue
Polyurethane varnish
J-B Weld Clear Wood Restore Liquid
Johnson's paste wax

I looked online for some of the above ideas, but many say you can't do this because:
it's never been done before
you'll void the floor warranty (who cares!)
the floor will warp/ destroy the finish/ cause the zombie apocalypse
the gaps will open up in the wintertime anyway
I like to try new things and don't follow convention in some cases.

 

[casmurbax]

at work can't post pictures but how about something like this?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MP-Glob...ce-Floor-Protection-Film-Roll-VG150/304868271


or this?

38 in. x 50 ft. Temporary Floor Protection Roll

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ram-Boa...rary-Floor-Protection-Roll-RB-38x50/202823781

Cover the entire floor not just the grooves.

 

[b-boy]

Good luck. That's a wide plank you're putting down as well. The wider the plank, the more prone to cupping your floor will be if it gets wet.

Honestly, I'd lose sleep at night with wooden floors in a kitchen - especially if I had a dishwasher in there. I have 2 big dogs with water bowls and 2 kids that will spill stuff and just walk away.

I had a laminate floor ruined by a faulty dishwasher 2 years ago. Water got under the laminate and the whole thing had to be replaced. I re-did it with luxury vinyl, and 1 year later the stupid dishwasher flooded the kitchen again. The vinyl held up fine.

 

[engineer2]

^^ I may put down clear plastic floor runners in high-traffic areas.
Needs to look good when we sell the house.

"The wider the plank, the more prone to cupping your floor will be if it gets wet."
I know this all to well after our water filter burst and flooded the first floor. The 5" went back to normal after a few months. I have taken steps to make the kitchen flood-resistant with a floor drain behind the sink base.

 

[snm805619]

We put/have solid hardwood in our kitchen and dining areas. Was put down, then sanded/finished. I know different process than pre-finished, but haven't had any problems.

For any spills/etc we just wipe down/clean after. We don't have anything covering the floor.

 

[CarBikeGuy70]

The only issue you should ever have is that it is prefinished. Refinishing is difficult but can be done. I installed an engineered 2 1/2 wide engineered Bruce oak wood floor in the kitchen of our previous house- with fantastic results. In my case the finish was cured with ultraviolet light and it lasted 18 years with no problems- it survived our now teenage boys and a black lab.

Five years ago I sanded it with an random orbital sander and had a pro finish it. The product used was intended for gym floors and other very high traffic areas. The finish was a two part water based product by Bona. Great stuff. Used two good coats and it sealed the seams as well as the field - looked fantastic.

Remember you are using oak - even the softer varieties are very durable. ( not some composite laminate that looks good but that's about it). Enjoy the floor- it should serve you well. Forget the runners- use bona hardwood cleaner, your floor should look good for years.