For the many people who love the luxurious look of wood floors but cannot afford their high price, wood tiles are a great option. These durable tiles are made either ceramic, porcelain or laminate and offer an alternative for those who do not want to deal with the hassle and cost of a hardwood floor.
Ceramic wood look tile has a remarkable appearance all its own. A true combination of the wood and tile look, these ceramic tiles come in a range of wood tones made to mimic the different stains and finishes of a wood floor, as well as different types of wood. Oak, walnut, cherry, even a weathered driftwood look are possible to achieve with ceramic tiles. They have a wood grain appearance, and while some have the more traditionally square tile shape, others are long and narrow to more naturally replicate the shape of a plank of wood. Tile is durable and does not require the frequent refinishing of a wood floor. Because ceramic tile is completely water resistant, wood look tile is also much easier to clean than a hardwood floor and can be used in damp areas where wood floors would not be appropriate, such as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Porcelain wood tile is very similar to ceramic tile in appearance and function. In actuality, porcelain tiles are a type of ceramic tile and their exact definition can be a little problematic. In the United States, manufacturers refer to their highest quality tiles as porcelain. In Europe, porcelain refers to any white or light-colored tile, regardless of its quality. If you are wanting to buy the highest quality tile available, make sure to ask the manufacturer which definition they are using. Porcelain often carries a higher price tag on account of its name alone, and it can be easy to pay extra for an identical or even inferior product.
The third type of wood tile is not really a tile at all, but is a square of wood-look vinyl or wood laminate that can be applied in the same mosaic fashion as a tile. As with all vinyl and laminate flooring, these have a large price range and could end up being much cheaper or much more expensive than ceramic tile. Of all the options, however, vinyl or laminate tiles look the most like actual hardwood floors and can be much easier to lay than ceramic wood tiles.
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