It’s a modern day catch-22.
On the one hand, you want a timeless, beautiful floor that will look great for years to come.
On the other hand, you want a durable floor that can take all that your family can dish out.
What’s a homeowner to do? Consider plank tile.
What is the tile called that looks like wood?
You’ve probably seen it before and wondered what it is. Walking in, it looks just like hardwood. But once you get closer, walk on it, it’s clearly not hardwood. It feels more like tile.
Tile that looks like wood is made from either ceramic or porcelain tile, designed to give the look and feel of a hardwood floor. If often comes in plank tile format, even though it can take on many sizes and shapes.
What we love best about plank tile is how close it looks to the real thing. Many people have to get down on the floor and touch it to discover the difference. It’s that good. And if you’ve ever installed tile in your home before, you already know the benefits tile can bring to some of the most high-traffic areas. Plank tile is a great compromise when you want classic good looks, yet know your floor takes a beating throughout the year.
What are the benefits of plank wood tile?
Why are plank tiles gaining in popularity? Because of their strength and durability.
Here in Colorado, we love hardwood. Maybe it’s something about growing up with pine trees all around us. When we think about the Rockies, we think cabins and mountain retreats. Hardwood goes hand in hand with that concept.
But hardwood isn’t practical for every home, or every situation. Hardwood in an entryway or mudroom is nothing but trouble. Hardwood in a kitchen or bathroom can be more trouble than it’s worth. Hardwood isn’t designed for water and moisture, which means you’ll spend a lot of time on care and maintenance when you install them in these spaces.
That’s where plank tile has the edge. Plank tile looks like hardwood, but it acts like tile. It can be matched with any decor; installed in a variety of color choices, one that will perfectly match your style.
It never has to be refinished. It’ll stand up through spills, and messes, and moisture. And if you’re worried about having a cold tile floor on a Colorado winter morning, stop worrying. Plank tile is perfect for laying over radiant heating. That means you can have toasty warm floors you’ll love all winter long.
What is better, tile or wood?
It depends.
Flooring is a personal choice. If you really love hardwood, then by all means, install it. You’ll love it.
But if you’ve got questions about whether it’s the right choice for your home, then it may be time to look at other options. Plank tile is one of the best choices you can make when durability and strength are in question. If you know your floors take a beating from high-traffic, pets, and kids, plank tile might be the right choice for you.
It’s easy to get confused by studies that show what materials hold their value best. If you know you might be selling your home in the future, is it better to get what real estate agents tell you will help your home sell? Or do you listen to your gut and select something you know you’ll love, and will last through all you can dish out? We think it’s best to look at the big picture.
For example, a recent Consumer Reports article makes suggestions as to the best upgrades to make to boost your home’s value. If you dive down for specifics, you’ll see hardwood flooring rules. But if you back away and look at the big picture, you’ll see it’s more about the aesthetics of a room. If you have a well-designed room with classic good looks, people don’t focus on individual items. Instead, they work to picture themselves living there. And if plank tile makes sense, of course, they’ll jump at it.
Do you grout wood plank tile?
Plank tile is designed to mimic the look of hardwood floors. But if you know anything about tile, you know you install tile with grout holding each individual tile in place.
Do plank tiles need grout? It depends.
Tile typically needs grout to allow for movement and settlement. This narrow material has give, to allow tiles to continue to look good without cracking or breaking.
Yet grout is also what will make plank tile look like a tile floor rather than hardwood flooring.
The key is getting an installer who is good at installing plank tile. The best installers can install without grout, placing the tiles flush against one another for a smooth look. They can also install it with minimal grout – just enough to give your flooring a chance to move. This might be your best choice if you’ve had problems with settling in the past. Only you know how your home reacts; if you’re worried about movement, stick with the grout.
How expensive is tile that looks like wood?
The good news is there are options for every budget. Just like hardwood, you’ll find a wide variety of wood-look tiles that fluctuate according to quality, type, manufacturer, and durability. Can you get plank tile for a few dollars a square foot? Of course. Can you find it for $20 dollars a square foot or more? You bet.
Be cautious of generic plank tile that seems too good to be true. Your flooring takes a lot of abuse, no matter where it’s installed in your home. Do you really want chips, cracks, and breakage to occur in the first year after installation? We’re here to help you make the right choice to ensure high quality from the start.
Will wood tile go out of style?
When something comes into fashion, it’s natural to worry about trendiness. Will the look come and go in a matter of years?
Technology has an important part in the flooring industry. Plank tile wasn’t possible even a few short years ago. But now that it’s here, we think it’ll stay. It’s a beautiful addition to any home. It works well with radiant heating. And it’s a classic look that’s both durable and functionally, something busy households need.
If you’re ready for beautiful yet durable look of plank tile, stop by and see our full selection. It can make a welcome addition to any room in your home.