We’ve already spoken about the 7 Benefits Of Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring but you may not have heard of another high quality flooring choice: wood look tiles.
Also known as wood effect tiles, they are tiles that look like hardwood and mimic many of the styles and colors that are popular for flooring but are actually not made of wood at all.
Wood look tiles have finely detailed grains just like hardwood but are actually made from ceramic or porcelain. The result is a wood effect finish for your flooring but with more resiliency and durability than wood. They are glued and grouted like regular tiles and some styles are available to use on walls as well.
Here are 10 benefits of wood look tiles that may make them a consideration for your flooring instead of hardwood.
1. You can choose between ceramic and porcelain tiles
Wood look tiles are made with ceramic or porcelain so there are two options available to choose from. Both are types of clay that offer slightly different benefits which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
An interesting benefit of wood look tiles is that they are available in both standard tile form – round, rectangular, etc – and in long plank form just like hardwood. So you can choose either a wood look tile in the shape of a typical tile or a wood look tile in the shape of hardwood.
2. Wood look tiles don’t easily absorb moisture
Wood look tiles don’t absorb water the way wood does. Ceramic and porcelain tiles won’t warp, stain or otherwise get damaged the way wood will when exposed to water.
One of the downsides of untreated wood is that it absorbs water and can get stained and badly damaged by water.
3. Wood look tiles are durable and scratch resistant
Wood look tiles are made from ceramic or porcelain, two substances that are well known for durability and resistance to scratches and other damage. While porcelain tile is a newer and more hardy form of tile than ceramic, they are both good choices for flooring when durability is desired.
Porcelain is heated to a higher temperature than ceramic and is made from finer and denser clay which makes them less likely to scratch or chip than ceramics but both are still very damage resistant.
Tiles can also be replaced individually if damaged or otherwise need replacement.
Wood look tiles can be damaged through misuse or accidents but they do tend to be more durable than hardwoods.
4. Wood look tiles can be used in any room in the home
Wood look tiles made from ceramic and porcelain can be used in any room or level of the house just like regular tiles. Hardwood is usually not recommended in bathrooms due to the potential exposure to water.
Similarly, hardwood is usually not recommended for a below-ground basement due to the likelihood of water or moisture damage. Wood can buckle, stain and need replacement when exposed to water or significant moisture.
Wood look tiles are unaffected by water or moisture and thus make a great choice in any room or floor of the home due to their design.
5. Tile is more environmentally friendly than other flooring options
Tile doesn’t give off Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like laminate and vinyl flooring does. Newly installed engineered hardwood may also give off VOCs from the finish and glue that is used.
Tile is also considered to be environmentally friendly as many products contain recycled materials of 40% or more and they are recyclable.
6. Wood look tiles offer a modern and unique look
Wood look tiles are available in dozens of colors and shades to mimic real hardwood that is popular. You’ll tend to notice that when you view the different options, they refer to the color or shade rather than the style of wood they are trying to mimic.
Flooring is very visual so rather than referring to the style that wood look tiles are similar to, you’ll instead see references to colors like black, light gray, dark gray, taupe, cream among others.
Some styles might make reference to the product being similar to oak, cherry, chestnut, rustic driftwood or make another reference to the type of wood that is being mimicked but generally it’s the color that is being highlighted.
At the end of the day the average homeowner is concerned with the final look of their flooring more so than the actual type of wood that they’re getting. Wood look tiles thus tend to be marketed according to shade and color with more emphasis placed on the durability and other benefits over hardwood.
7. Wood look tiles are an excellent choice to pair with underfloor heating
Porcelain and ceramic tiles conduct heat at a high level making them both solid options if you plan on installing underfloor heating
in your home. This means that heat is effectively transferred from the underfloor heating system to the surface of the tiles to heat the rooms of your home.
And since wood look tiles can be used in any room of the home as can underfloor heating, you can pair the two up throughout your home if desired including the bathrooms.
If you’re concerned with walking on a cold floor in winter, an underfloor heating system can help to alleviate this concern with a tile floor.
8. Wood effect tiles aren’t cheap but can be less expensive than some hardwoods
Expect to pay $2 – $12 per square foot for wood effect tiles plus installation depending on what material you choose (ceramic tile tends to be cheaper), the brand, model and size.
Larger plank tiles resembling wood tends to be more expensive. All in, wood effect tiles will tend to cost around $7 – $17 per square foot full installed.
Hardwood flooring is widely available to purchase and install and tends to be cheaper. Expect to pay $6 – $12 per square foot installed. You can easily find a local hardwood installer in your area and given the long term availability of hardwood flooring, it isn’t difficult to locate a supplier. Thus it tends to be cheaper than tile.
Having said that, higher end exotic woods such as mahogany, Brazilian walnut or bocote from Mexico to name but three tend to be more expensive because they come from trees that need to be grown and harvested. They are depleting resources that may already be difficult to find.
Tiles on the other hand are manufactured not grown.
9. Wood effect tiles are installed like regular tiles
Wood effect tiles are installed just like regular tiles and are bonded to your floor surface with grout added between the tiles to finish the installation. It is not recommended to avoid the use of grout not only for the look but to protect the tiles from debris or water getting between them and seeping into the floor.
As such, the installation of tiles is more labor intensive than wood flooring and will tend to cost more as a result.
Having said that, tile installation like hardwood is easily found and as wood look tiles become more widely available, the options for tiles and tile installation will continue to grow.
10. Wood look tiles can suit your lifestyle if damaged floors are a concern
Hardwood can dent and scratch. If you have a pet with sharp nails, kids who drop heavy objects or liquids or you have a home with a lot of foot traffic, wood will get damaged over time.
Hardwood is not supposed to come into contact with water or moisture so humidity can be a concern, too. So hardwood generally isn’t recommended for basements or bathrooms.
But wood look tiles aren’t made of wood so they don’t have these problems. They are more durable than wood and aren’t concerned with water or moisture either.
Major wood look tile manufacturer summary
Here is a table showcasing some of the biggest manufacturers of wood look tiles and a brief description of their company and wood look tile offerings:
| Manufacturer | Description and Wood Look Tile Offerings |
|---|---|
| Porcelanosa | A Spanish company known for its high-quality ceramic and porcelain tiles. Porcelanosa offers a wide range of wood look tiles in various colors, textures, and sizes. Their tiles often mimic the appearance of natural wood with realistic grain patterns. |
| Mohawk | Mohawk is a well-established American flooring company that produces a diverse range of flooring products, including wood look tiles. They offer a variety of wood look tile options, including porcelain and ceramic tiles, with different finishes and styles to suit various design preferences. |
| Marazzi | Marazzi is an Italian tile manufacturer known for its innovative designs and high-quality products. They offer a wide selection of wood look tiles that replicate the natural beauty of wood, including different wood species, colors, and textures. Marazzi’s wood look tiles are available in both porcelain and ceramic options. |
| Daltile | Daltile is a prominent American tile manufacturer that offers a comprehensive range of tile products, including wood look tiles. They provide a variety of wood look tile options, featuring realistic wood grain patterns and textures. Daltile’s wood look tiles are available in different sizes and finishes to suit various applications. |
| Florim | Florim is an Italian company known for its extensive range of ceramic and porcelain tiles. They offer a diverse collection of wood look tiles that capture the natural warmth and beauty of wood. Florim’s wood look tiles come in various colors, sizes, and finishes, providing versatility for different design styles. |
Please note that this table provides a brief overview, and there are many other manufacturers in the market offering wood look tiles. It’s always recommended to research and compare different manufacturers and their specific product offerings to find the best fit for your needs.
Ceramic tile and porcelain tile wood effect comparison
Wood look tiles are available in both ceramic and porcelain. Here is a comparison of the two materials to see how they stack up against one another.
| Ceramic wood look tile | Porcelain wood look tile | |
| Clay | Ceramic is less dense and more porous than porcelain. | Porcelain clay is denser and less porous than ceramic. |
| Moisture | Absorbs more moisture than porcelain. Less water resistant. | Absorbs less moisture than ceramic. More water resistant. |
| Hardness | Softer than porcelain. | Harder than ceramic. |
| Shape | Comes in planks like wood but also in various shapes and sizes like regular tiles. | Comes in planks like wood but also in various shapes and sizes like regular tiles. |
| Pattern | Staggered plan layout is common just like hardwood as is a herringbone pattern. Depends on what style tile you choose. | Staggered plan layout is common just like hardwood as is a herringbone pattern. Depends on what style tile you choose. |
| Heating | Can be heated with both water and electrical underfloor heating. | Can be heated with both water and electrical underfloor heating. |
| Grout | Grout is required as they are tiles. | Grout is required as they are tiles. |
| Cost | Typically $2 – $8 per square foot plus installation of around $5 per square foot. Tends to be cheaper than porcelain. | Typically $4 – $12 per square foot plus installation of around $5 per square foot. Tends to be more expensive than ceramic. |
If you’re still considering flooring options and want to learn more about wood in general, check out my article called 11 Amazing Facts About Wood (Questions Answered).