When in comes to flooring, choosing between hardwood flooring or a wood-look tile is often a difficult choice. The flooring you choose for your home remodel is a significant decision because it has major implications for the durability of the new home, the maintenance level you will have, and the budget of your project.
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Traditional wood floors remain a popular and timeless choice for any home renovation. However, some homeowners are looking for an alternative to hard wood flooring that provides a similar aesthetic. This is why wood-look tile has grown in popularity. To help you decide about the right flooring for your home renovation, we’ve outlined some of the benefits of choosing a wood-look tile over hardwood flooring.
Comparing Hardwood Flooring and Wood-Look Tile
Benefits of Wood-Look Tile
Wood-look tile provides some distinct benefits that set it apart from traditional hardwood flooring.
Durability
Wood-look tile is highly durable and resistant to scratches, dents, and wear and tear. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas, homes with pets, and households with children. Tile is always a great choice for durability, and wood-look tile allows you to have the look you prefer without sacrificing that feature.
Moisture Resistance
Unlike hardwood, wood-look tile is impervious to moisture. It can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet areas without the risk of warping or damage. While hardwood flooring looks beautiful throughout the home, it is not the most practical choice. Wood-look tile is a perfect choice if you want to carry one flooring throughout most of the house, as it is suitable in laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and anywhere else moisture is common.
Low Maintenance
Wood-look tile is easy to clean and maintain. It doesn’t require special treatments like sealing or refinishing, making it a low-maintenance flooring option. If you want to choose something that will look virtually the same in 10 years without requiring any special attention from you, wood-look tile is a great choice. It provides the aesthetic of wood with the maintenance level of tile, something many consider the best of both worlds.
Cost Effective
While wood-look tile can be more expensive than traditional ceramic or porcelain tile, it’s often more budget-friendly than hardwood flooring, especially exotic or high-end wood species. This can allow you to leave room in your budget for other features you would like to prioritize in your home remodel.
Versatility in Design
Wood-look tile comes in a wide range of colors, styles, and textures, allowing you to achieve the look of various wood species. You can also create unique patterns and designs with different tile sizes and layouts.
If you have not seen wood-look tile in person, take some time at a flooring showroom to familiarize yourself with your options. You may be surprised at just how many aesthetics can work seamlessly with this product.
Compatibility with Radiant Heating
Wood-look tile works well with radiant heating systems, providing warmth and comfort during the colder months. If you are looking for a way to upgrade your home with luxury finishes, radiant heating beneath wood-look tiles can add a functional, comfortable touch that elevates your home design. This is particularly popular in primary bathrooms to create a spa-like retreat.
While there are other options that are compatible with heated flooring, hardwood flooring is not recommended. If you like the look of wood flooring and wanted heated floors, wood-look tile is likely your best bet.
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