Choosing the Perfect Floor: Hardwood vs. Wood Looking Tiles
There are different types of floors that mimic the look of natural wood such as hardwood, laminate, vinyl and wood looking tiles. At this article, we’re going to compare two types of these floors: Hardwood floors and wood looking tiles. Both offer unique benefits and drawbacks, which might make your decision a bit challenging. Let’s dive into the main characteristics of each to help you choose the best option that suits your lifestyle and aesthetic goals.
Hardwood Floors: Timeless Elegance
Hardwood floors are one of the most popular flooring options around the world, they are timeless, elegant, warm and just beautiful. Wood floors come in many different styles and colors, the natural and unique look your wood flooring has comes from the wood species they’re made off. Here are some key features:
Natural Beauty:
Hardwood floors are unique piece of nature that is crafted from real wood species. While the distinct color variations and the natural grains make each plank unique, the natural contrast between heartwood and sapwood adds depth and character to each plank. Hardwood in general have a superior natural look, but nowadays wood looking porcelain tiles can realistically mimic hardwood, offering similar aesthetics without the challenge of maintaining real hardwood floors.
Durability:
Hardwood floors are strong and durable, but they are prone to scratches and dents, especially in high traffic areas. Regular maintenance and refinishing can help extend the lifespan of these beautiful floors.
Maintenance:
Hardwood floors are easy to clean but they are sensitive to moisture and humidity, which make them not suitable for areas like bathrooms and kitchen. Solid hardwood floors require periodic refinishing to maintain their appearance, while most engineered hardwood floors can’t be refinished.
Cost:
The cost of hardwood floors varies widely, depending on different factors such as wood type and installation method. Based on experience most hardwood floors cost between $6 to $25 per square foot installed.
Eco-Friendly:
Wood is natural and eco-friendly material, but the flooring manufacturing process might involve chemical that emit VOCs which might raise environmental concerns.
Feel:
Real hardwood floors feel softer and warmer underfoot compared to wood looking porcelain tiles, but it requires more maintenance and care in general.
Wood Looking Tile: Modern Practicality
Wood-look tiles are often made from ceramic or porcelain in a way that that mimics the aesthetic of hardwood without its drawbacks. This beautiful flooring material is a modern alternative of the traditional hardwood floors. Here are some key features:
Durability and Resistance:
Wood looking tiles are highly durable, water proof and resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture. Thy can withstand any challenges you might face in heavy traffic and wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchen. Such characteristics allow homeowners create a cohesive and uniformed look throughout the house.
Maintenance:
Most wood looking tiles are easy to maintain and clean using a variety of disinfectants without causing any damage or color changes. The material cannot be refinished like hardwood floors reducing long term cost that is needed with wood floors.
Cost:
The cost of wood looking tiles varies widely, depending on the selected floor quality and layout design. Most wood looking tiles cost between $7 to $42 per square foot installed.
Versatility:
Wood looking tiles is a versatile flooring material that can be used indoors and outdoors, it comes in a wide range of styles, colors, shapes and sizes that realistically mimics hardwood floors.
Eco-Friendly:
The manufacturing and recycling process of wood-look tiles are more sustainable. Wood-look tiles are free of VOCs, they’re created from natural materials (clay and sand) extracted from the earth, shaped into tiles and fired in kilns at extremely high temperatures. In general tiles have lower environmental impact than any other flooring option.
Making Your Decision
Such like any other remodeling project you might have, when it comes to choosing between hardwood floors and wood looking tile floors, always consider your lifestyle, budget, and the specific functional and aesthetic needs of your home.
Aesthetic Preferences:
If you value real wood natural beauty and uniqueness, hardwood floors might be your choice. However, if you prefer to get a uniformed look throughout the house, wood looking tiles are ideal choice as they realistically mimic various wood types and can be installed anywhere to create the uniformed look you need.
Maintenance and Durability:
In terms of maintenance and durability, wood-look tiles are superior to any other flooring option. These floors can be installed anywhere and they’re perfect for busy households and wet areas with high moisture.
Budget:
Depending on the material you select and the design you choose, wood looking tiles are generally more expensive than hardwood floors upfront, but they require less maintance. The increased maintenance cost of hardwood floors over time offset its affordability advantage.
Environmental Impact:
While both options have environmental impact, wood looking tile are generally more eco-friendly due to their longevity and the sustainable nature of the manufacturing and recycling process.
Feel and Comfort:
Hardwood floors are softer and warmer underfoot than the cool wood looking tiles. However, hardwood floors require more maintenance and care.
Ultimately, your decision between hardwood floors and wood looking tile floors depends on needed practical and aesthetics features of your home. Both options are great and can enhance your home value, so weigh in the features of both option and choose the option that best suit your needs and lifestyle. It’s always advisable to consult with flooring and remodeling experts like Floors Mecca, who can take the guess out of the question for you to take the right decision.
