Are you trying to decide whether to install timber look tiles in your home or whether hardwood floors would be a better option? Let’s look at the primary differences between the two to make your decision easier.
What is Wood Look Tile?
Wood look tiles are either ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been manufactured to resemble the look of real timber. They are available in a range of different colours and grains.
When used in homes as wall or floor tiles, it’s almost impossible to tell that these are tiles rather than hardwood flooring. For example, a walnut timber look tile or a beechwood natural timber look tile, when laid as flooring, looks stunning and perfectly resembles natural hardwood.
These timber look tiles are highly durable and low-maintenance and can be used both indoors and as outdoor tiles to resemble natural timber flooring and wall cladding.
How Do Wood Look Tiles Compare To Hardwood?
To help you understand the pros and cons of wood look tiles as opposed to hardwood, here’s how the two compare.
Costs
Timber look tiles can cost considerably less than hardwood flooring. For example, wood look tiles can range in price from $28 to $50 per square metre depending on the style that you choose.
On the other hand, hardwood flooring can set you back around $75 to $100 per square metre. This means that timber look tiles offer a substantial cost saving.
Installation
Although it costs less to purchase wood look tiles, they can cost more to install because they are best installed by a professional to get a perfect finish.
However, unlike hardwood following, once these tiles are installed, they’ll require very little ongoing maintenance.
Durability
Timber look tiles are highly durable and if laid correctly, they provide a moisture-resistant surface that is easy to clean and suitable for high-traffic areas. Also, if you accidentally crack a tile, it’s relatively easy to replace.
On the other hand, hardwood flooring is not scratch-resistant and can easily dent if not taken care of correctly. In general, hardwood floors tend to show wear and tear much easier than tiled floors.
Maintenance
As already mentioned, timber look tiles require very little maintenance and can be cleaned easily if spills occur.
Conversely, because hardwood flooring shows wear and tear much more easily, regular maintenance in the form of sanding and refinishing is usually required every few years to maintain the beauty of the floor.
Why choose Timber Look / Wood Look Tiles over Hardwood?
If you love the warmth and look of timber but not the expense or maintenance, consider installing timber look tiles instead. These tiles are highly durable, perfect for high-traffic areas and require minimal maintenance.
Wood look tiles can also be installed in any room of your home including wet areas and even outdoor spaces. Tiles, overall, are far more durable than hardwood, so they make a great option.
Additionally, the initial cost of purchasing timber look tiles is lower than hardwood even though the installation costs may be a little higher.
See Our Range Of Timber Look Tiles Today
Interested in seeing our range of timber look tiles? You can either check them out online or visit our showroom. Our experts are ready and waiting to answer any questions that you might have.