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One continuous floor from kitchen to living room
Tile seems practical around cooking spills and hot pans, but I wonder how much cooler and harder it feels once it continues through the living area. Engineered wood sounds more comfortable underfoot, though I’m unsure how it handles the occasional spill that sits for a while or water that gets into a seam.
How much does everyday kitchen moisture change the care needed for engineered wood, and does that vary substantially with its construction and finish? I’m also curious how tile underlayment affects comfort and sound. For an open-plan space, which of those details tends to matter most in day-to-day use?
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For the occasional spill, I’d separate surface protection from seam protection. The finish helps determine how well the top surface tolerates moisture until it’s wiped up; the core and how the boards join matter more if water reaches an edge or seam, where swelling or distortion can be harder to avoid. So I’d compare the product’s stated spill guidance and joint protection, not just whether it has a thick wear layer. No engineered wood is a substitute for wiping up standing water promptly.