It’s no secret that we humans are messy and uncoordinated, causing a lot of stress on the structure of our homes. We break things, drop things, and stain things as well—it’s frustrating and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Luckily home builders have started finding some ways to minimize the effects we have on our own homes, especially in the kitchen.

You have probably seen a kitchen that has, in essence, been human proofed, the kind that just look and feel strong. The secret to their strength lies in the materials used in their construction: granite, hardwood, and stainless steel. Designed to allow a kitchen to endure a lifetime of stress, these materials have not only lengthened the functionality of the kitchen where they are inserted, but have also made them look fantastic in the process.

Hardwood Flooring:

If you want to make your floor to look great and be strong enough to face to wear and tear of your everyday life, then you need hardwood floors. Many of us have desired our kitchens to be outfitted with this sturdy and beautiful flooring, but, aside from, its looks and durability hardwood floors have some other great benefits to them as well. Benefits that will make your life easier, wallet fatter, and more.

As far as economics are concerned, hardwood floors can be one of the best home improvement decisions you will ever do. One example is its lifespan. Carpet, tile and, linoleum will need to be replaced as the wear out; however, hardwood, while it will wear down, will last much longer than any other alternative aside from straight concrete. This durability makes it cost effective in the long run, saving you money decade after decade. Yes, decade. The estimated life span of hardwood flooring is almost a hundred years if they are taken care of.

When it comes to biological benefits, hardwood floors are said to be healthier for you and your guests. The reason being that it doesn’t let pathogens take refuge in it. Other kinds of flooring, carpet especially, provide nooks and crannies for dust, dirt, and other bad stuff to set up shop—rather they will simply lie on the floor until the next sweeping and mopping.

Environmentally friendly is another word that can describe hardwood floors. Because wood is a reusable resource it doesn’t hurt the planet as much to produce it instead of plastic based floors. Not to mention, when the hardwood floors need to be replaced, they can be recycled, and or burned to heat your home.

All of these factors add up to a very strong case for hardwood. Not only can it make your home look better, but it can save you money, and be better for the environment than other floors. Not to mention, adding hardwood to your floor will easily raise the resale value of your home. Many real estate agents say that finding a home with hardwood is a commonly requested feature that they are asked to search for. It is something that a lot of builders in Idaho are putting into new homes, and old homes are having them put in left, right, and center.

Granite Countertops:

As with floors, countertops can come in many types and varieties. You have linoleum, tile, other plastics, and in some rare cases, wood. The choice of what kind of countertop to have is an important one, because if there is anything in the kitchen that takes a thrashing more than the floor it is the countertops. For this very reason, many people have chosen to opt for granite countertops.

Granite is formed under intense amounts of pressure and heat deep in the earth, which makes it one of the strongest stones humans can build with. Its strength is one of the main reasons why people like to use it: utilizing its durability. Unless struck very hard granite will not crack or chip which makes it great for people that don’t want to have to replace their countertops during their lifetime; or people who don’t want to invest in cutting boards. Its strength also allows it to withstand immense heat, so say goodbye to hot pads. (Note: though it can withstand a high degree of heat, it is not advised to place anything that is superbly hot on them).

Medically speaking, granite is also great for your health, much like hardwood floors. Because there are no cracks in the granite countertop, no germs can start growing in it. So, after you have cut your chicken breasts on the counter, all you will need to do is wash it with dish soap and water (or bleach if you want to be extra thorough).

Stainless Steel Appliances:

For the last attribute of our human proof kitchen, we have stainless steel. Just as like hardwood and granite, stainless steel can be a great asset to your home—not just in how it looks, but how long it lasts as well. Much like the granite, stainless steel is germ free and very easy to clean. Not to mention, stainless steel appliances also last much longer than comparable models due to their durable design. Though they may have once been expensive, stainless steel appliances are getting much more popular and the price is beginning to drop.

These materials, steel, wood, and stone, are durable and aesthetically pleasing as well. They are strong and can easily stand the test of time. So, if you are building a new house in Idaho, consider using materials that will make it a long lasting home.