Over the past few years, a big shift in home décor is the popularity of porcelain and ceramic tiles that look like wood.
Before you continue: Even with its rising fame, there’s a lot to understand about these wood-style tiles to figure out if they’re a match for your home.
Wood-styled tiles have always been around, but only lately have they caught the attention of global home design influencers. This is mostly due to the advanced technology that’s made the wood appearance more genuine than before.
With the current interest in reclaimed wood, these tiles serve as a practical choice, eliminating the hunt for age-old barn wood. Plus, tiles offer sizes that traditional wood might not.
Furthermore, the growing preference for real hardwood floors, which may not be achievable due to budget, size, or location, has shifted some attention to these ceramic and porcelain wood-look tiles.
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You may also want to know the Differences between porcelain tile and ceramic tile.
Table of Contents
Pros & Cons of Wood-like Tile
Throughout this discussion, various pros and cons of wood-like tile have been highlighted. However, for clarity, let’s distill these points for quick and straightforward reference. Remember, while the wood-look tile might visually mimic real wood to a great extent, the two materials are inherently distinct.
Pros
- Diverse Selection: Tiles that mimic wood are now available in an ever-growing and beautiful array of styles. If there’s a specific wood style you’re fond of, you’re likely to find a tile that replicates it.
- Availability of Lighter Tones: Particularly noteworthy is the broad range of whites, whitewashes, and grays available in tile, shades that might be challenging to find in authentic wood.
- Customizable Colors: Some tile manufacturers provide the option to harmonize the color tone with the wood style, whether it’s traditional, hand-scraped, or smooth. This flexibility allows homeowners to tailor the aesthetic of their tile flooring fully.
Affordable Wide Planks: In the world of hardwood, broader planks generally cost more. This pricing structure isn’t mirrored with ceramic and porcelain wood-like tiles; wide tiles don’t necessarily come with a heftier price tag.
Durability: A significant advantage of tile over hardwood is its resilience. Tiles resist dings, scratches, and stains better than their wooden counterparts.
Wet Area Suitability: Places prone to moisture or potential spills are where porcelain and ceramic tiles shine. Their resistance makes them apt for below-ground installations and even outdoor settings.
Eco-friendliness: The production of these tiles often involves the use of recycled waste materials, alongside raw materials, marking them as a sustainable choice in flooring.
No Height Problems: Solid hardwood flooring might need a substantial underlayment, making it relatively thick. In contrast, the tile underlayment, if necessary, along with the tile itself, has a more streamlined profile. This ensures that height won’t matter at junctions where two flooring types meet or where doors swing open over the floor.
Cost Efficiency Over Time: While the initial expenditure for wood-look tiles might be higher than that for wood, over an extended period, tiles prove to be cost-effective. This is primarily because wood demands periodic refinishing, which can be expensive.
Cons
- Authenticity Matters: While these tiles convincingly replicate wood’s appearance, some homeowners still value the authentic touch, feel, and scent of real wood floors.
- Trendy but Temporary: Wood-like tiles are in vogue now, but like all trends, they might fade over time. However, tiles, in general, have a longstanding history as preferred flooring, giving them some staying power.
- Vulnerabilities Exist: Despite being robust, ceramic and porcelain tiles are not immune to chipping or cracking, especially if a heavy object strikes them.
- Sound Amplification: Both wood and tile amplify sound, but tiles tend to be louder, potentially making rooms more echoing.
- Costs of Installation and Repair: Although the materials may have similar price points, the costs for installing and repairing tiles can be notably higher. Tackling them as DIY projects can be challenging as well.
- Slippery Surface: While these tiles perform well in wet environments, they can become quite slippery when wet, potentially leading to accidents.
- Comfort Concerns: Real wood has a slightly softer feel and is warmer underfoot. Although tiles can be cold, this becomes a non-issue with radiant floor heating. And on hot summer days, the cool tile might be a refreshing touch.
- Future Matching Difficulties: As designs evolve and production batches vary, finding an exact match for your tiles in the future can be challenging. Purchasing a few extra boxes during the initial buy can help mitigate this problem later on.
Design Ideas with Wood-like Tiles
The appeal of wood-like ceramic tiles lies in their diverse range that can mimic almost every kind of genuine wood. From tiles reflecting traditional hand-scraped textures to those with a sleek glossy finish, and even those designed to appear aged and distressed – the choices are expansive, and all are available in tile form.
These tiles come in a spectrum of wood hues and increasingly, manufacturers are innovating with designs that emulate complicated parquet and inlaid patterns. This is great news for those drawn to patterned flooring, which is seeing a surge in popularity these days.
One of the added advantages of the newer styles of wood plank ceramic tiles is their flexibility in application. No longer limited to moisture-prone areas like kitchens and baths, these tiles can be seamlessly used across living spaces, including bedrooms or lounges. Plus, for those keen to extend the wood theme outdoors, there are exterior wood-like tiles tailored for that purpose.
To stir your creativity and give you a clearer picture of the potential, consider exploring some of the leading wood-like tile brands. Their websites offer a wealth of imagery showcasing the variety of design possibilities with wood-like tiles.
Wood-like Tile Brands
MSI
Established in the mid-70s, MSI ranks among the top global tile manufacturers. They offer a broad selection, starting from luxury vinyl tiles that mimic wood to diverse ceramic and porcelain options.
In their portfolio, porcelain shades and patterns distinctly mirror real wood, while their ceramic range presents 19 styles across five collections. Noteworthy are the natural tones of Taupe and the unique White from the Carolina Timber Collection.
The porcelain collection is more expansive, with 32 styles across ten series. These also come with high PEI ratings, signifying durability. Tiles vary in width from 6 to 8 inches and lengths from 24 to 40 inches, accommodating varied design needs.
Emser
Emser Tile, a prominent brand with decades of expertise, stands out for its commitment to sustainability. They collaborate with eco-friendly suppliers to offer a diverse range of products, including stone, glass, ceramic, and porcelain tiles.
The wood-look collection by Emser boasts a spectrum of shades and textures, from the naturally authentic to distinctively unique. Notably, their porcelain tiles achieve a striking realism, giving them a competitive edge. Comprehensive technical specifications, like the DCOF rating and abrasion resistance class, further enhance their offerings.
Their porcelain range comprises 18 style collections, though some mimic wood more closely than others. Each series brings a palette of colors, making Emser one of the most diverse brands in the market. On the ceramic front, the offerings might be fewer, yet they impress with designs such as the weathered Zephyr Breeze and intricate mosaics.
From beachy vibes to timeless classics, Emser has a tile to match every aesthetic. Comparable to MSI, Emser’s products are accessible in major hardware stores and online platforms like Wayfair and Amazon.
Daltile
Since its inception in 1947, Daltile has been a go-to brand for top-tier natural stone and ceramic tiles. Their vast portfolio substantiates their claim of having “all bases covered” in the tile industry. Among their offerings, they have 10 collections specifically dedicated to ceramic tiles with a wood-like appearance. Noteworthy among these is the Season Wood collection, characterized by its weathered look and expansive planks, and the sleek Veranda Tone collection which displays a more linear design.
Daltile’s user-friendly website showcases 17 collections encompassing approximately 70 distinct colors. These tiles, while exuding a luxurious appeal, are versatile and apt for almost any space in your home. The website’s clear labeling ensures customers choose the right product for their specific needs, be it for floors, walls, or countertops.
Moreover, Daltile strikes a balance between quality and affordability, with many of their wood-look tiles priced under $6 per square foot. Their wide accessibility through numerous tile retailers nationwide makes them a favored choice for many.
Provenza Ceramiche
Distinguished by its refined Italian craftsmanship, Provenza Ceramiche stands out for those who seek unmatched elegance and quality in tiles. Available at select, upscale tile retailers, it’s a brand synonymous with opulence and discerning taste.
At present, Provenza Ceramiche boasts two impeccable ceramic wood tile collections: Ceppo and W-Age. They also introduce a third, the In-Essence collection, that beautifully blends wood and stone aesthetics.
The brand’s design philosophy revolves around understated luxury. A prime example is the W-Age collection which captures the unique cross-section of a sawn log, creating a wood design that’s not only stunningly realistic but also distinctively upscale. A true piece of art, it’s the epitome of both innovation and desirability.
Mile Stone Tiles
Mile Stone Tiles, a part of the well-known Italian group, Florim, is making waves with its smart use of technology and green practices. Their tile designs that look like wood are both varied and beautiful.
They have six different tile collections that mimic wood. Some look like everyday woods like oak and cherry, found in their “Plantation” collection. Others, like the “Ecowood” and “Forest” collections, have a more old and worn feel. The “Charleston” collection is special, with its thin planks and a painted look.
With a wide range of colors and sizes, and sharp, clear designs, it’s a good idea to check out what Mile Stone Tiles has to offer.
George Ceramics
Since our inception, George Ceramics has emerged as a name you can trust in the tile industry. As a renowned Chinese brand, we’ve seamlessly blended the beauty of Chinese tradition with the advancements of modern technology in every tile we craft.
Our wood-like tiles are a favorite among customers. They don’t just resist fading but also offer a realistic touch that mirrors the charm of actual wood, combining both value and practicality. Safety hasn’t been overlooked; our tiles have a non-skid feature ensuring they’re as safe as they are stylish. Catering to diverse spaces and tastes, we offer them in four distinct sizes ranging from 150×800mm to 200×1200mm.
With George Ceramics, you’re not just selecting a tile. You’re embracing a perfect fusion of Chinese craftsmanship and quality.