Hardwood floors can make your home look sophisticated, but it does have its down sides. It’s expensive, difficult to maintain, and wears more easily. Wood look porcelain tile can give you the look of hardwood, but it also has a number of extra benefits. It’s more durable, easier to clean, and can come in a variety of styles. All of these things make wood look tile a popular choice, but having a full understanding of its benefits and drawbacks can help you determine if it’s a good choice for your home.
The Benefits of Wood Look Tile
Wood look tile has several benefits. Some of them include, but may not be limited to:
- Cost — Wood look-alike tile doesn’t cost as much per square foot than traditional hardwood flooring, which makes it a much more budget-friendly option. But, both hardwood floors and wood look porcelain tile will require a professional installation. While the tiles may be more affordable, you’ll also have to think about your budget for the labor involved in getting them installed.
- Many Available Styles — Wood look tile can come in several styles, which can be used in both residential and commercial applications. It’s made by using a professional-grade inkjet technology that can print the look of wood onto the surface, and it can do it with a surprising level of realism. The surfaces can even be textured to imitate the feel of wood grain. Because it’s man-made, wood look tile flooring can come in a variety of colors, finishes, and textures.
- Easy to Maintain — Porcelain tiles are easy to maintain. All you need is a broom or hard-floor vacuum to remove any dirt and debris from the surface. If you want to do a deeper clean, a mop and bucket with some soapy water is all you need. And because it’s so easy to clean, wood look tile is both pet and allergy friendly.
- Extremely Durable — Traditional hardwood is extremely vulnerable to scratches and water damage, but wood look tile flooring is strong enough to be installed from the front door through the kitchen or even the bathroom. It won’t scratch or show signs of wear from foot traffic, and it’s incredibly resistant to water. So, it won’t swell or warp if it’s exposed to moisture.
All porcelain tiles are measured on a PEI scale in accordance with its level of durability. So, if you want to get the best results, look for a wood look-alike tile with a PEI rating of four or five. All types of porcelain tile can break or chip if heavy items are dropped on them.
The Drawbacks of Wood Look Tile
While wood look tile flooring has several benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Some of them include, but may not be limited to:
- Treating Scratches and Refinishing — Even the most durable type of flooring can be vulnerable to chips and scratches over time. That’s why you should store some extra tiles when you install them for the first time. Finding an exact match to wood look tiles can be almost impossible because the styles are always changing. With hardwood floors, scratches can be buffed out and refinished. But, this isn’t the case with porcelain tile.
- Grout — All types of porcelain tiles require grout to keep them in place. As the floors are used, it can start to look dirty or dingy. Occasionally, a thorough grout cleaning is needed to revitalize the look of your floors. If you want to reduce the chance of your grout looking dirty, choose a darker color.
- Comfort — Even printed porcelain tiles can be hard and cold beneath your feet, especially if you spend a great deal of time standing up. Adding area rugs with non-slip rug pads or ergonomic mats can reduce the hardness of the floors, and some types of wood look tile can be used with radiant flooring systems.
- Installation — If you want to get the most out of your wood look tile installation, you should hire a professional. There’s an art to cutting porcelain tile. It can be a time-consuming process, especially if you need to install it in many different rooms. If you need to change them out in the future, you should hire a professional to do that as well.
If you’re thinking about adding wood look tile to your home and are looking for one of the best tile stores in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Tile Source of Texas.