Wood-Look Tile: Your Complete Guide

Wood-look tile flooring is awesome! It offers tons of benefits and very few drawbacks. Plus, if you compare tile to wood floors, you’ll find that wood-look tile gives you the best of both worlds—the beauty of hardwood, plus the durability and water resistance of tile. 

But while wood-look tile is great, there isn’t a ton of information out there about it. 

Not nearly as much as other types of flooring anyway. And we know you have questions. What exactly is wood-look tile made of? Is it expensive? How do you install it? How much does it cost to install? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of wood-look tile in the first place? 

And that’s why below, we’ll answer all of those questions—and more—to help you decide whether wood-look tile is right for your home.

What is a Wood-Look Tile Made Of?

Faux-wood tile (as it’s also called) is an environmentally friendly flooring option, as it’s made of either ceramic or porcelain. 

Both of these materials are made from fired clay (an entirely natural substance). They’re then printed with images of wood grain and sealed for durability. 

You need to decide if you want porcelain or ceramic wood-look tile flooring.

Ceramic Wood-Look Tile

Ceramic is created when clay is fired in a super-hot kiln. It bakes into a durable, waterproof, natural material.

Hardness is rated on the PEI scale, which goes from 1 to 5. The higher the number, the harder the material. We’d recommend purchasing ceramic floor tiles that score a 3 or higher on the PEI scale.

Additionally, you should also look at the Coefficient of Friction Rating (COF) rating. This system ranks how resistant to slipping a tile is. 

The more “grip” a tile has, the higher its ranking will be. 

For flooring, most experts recommend a COF ranking of .50 or higher. This is where ordinary ceramic has the advantage over porcelain tile. The COF rating of ceramic can often be higher than the COF ranking of porcelain.

Porcelain Wood-Look Tile

Porcelain tiles are one of the most durable types of flooring around. It’s generally harder, more resistant to chipping, and more water-resistant than ordinary ceramic. 

Wood-look porcelain tile is also made from clay and baked in a kiln the same way ceramic is. The only difference between the two is that porcelain clay is more refined, and it is fired at a higher temperature. The result is a denser, more durable, and more waterproof tile. 

Please note that most wood-grain tile you’ll find on the market is made of porcelain, rather than ordinary ceramic. However, because porcelain tile flooring is a type of ceramic, it’s often called wood-look ceramic floors.

Just remember that for most people, they mean the same thing! 

What Colors and Patterns Does Wood-Look Tile Come In?

Wood-look tile comes in a variety of colors, just like actual wood does. Some manufacturers design their tiles to look like specific hardwood species and others create their own patterns. 

Want the look of ash flooring but with better waterproof qualities? Or maybe you love the look of pine or Douglas fir, but don’t want to deal with real pine flooring? Well, wood-look tiles give you the precise look of any of those—but with none of their inherent disadvantages. 

Oh, and remember: wood-look tile isn’t usually sold in the traditional square shape you’d find with most types of floor tiles. Rather, it’s often sold in planks—just like real wood.

Is Wood-Look Tile Expensive?

As far as materials alone are concerned, wood-look tile costs just about the same as many other hardwood alternatives. 

In fact, at $2–$12 per square foot for materials, the price range of wood-look tile is almost identical to the price range of vinyl plank tiles.

How Much Does it Cost to Install Wood-Look Tiles?

Unfortunately, when it comes to the price to install wood-look tile, you’re probably going to be paying a little more than you would to install other types of flooring.

That’s because tile can be a bit more labor-intensive to install and because a shortage of skilled installers is currently plaguing the flooring industry.

This isn’t an issue with wood-look tile alone, though. It’s an issue you’ll encounter if you want to install any type of floor tiles. Luckily, some brands now offer snap-together tiles for an easy 3 step installation process.

Can you find cheap wood-look tiles? Sure! You can find a budget version of nearly any type of flooring. Just remember: cheaper isn’t always better. 

In fact, we’d recommend skipping the ultra-budget options for most floors. These surfaces can lead to issues down the road, and they generally look less realistic.

Advantages of Wood-Look Ceramic Tiles

Wood-Look Tile is Eco-Friendly

Tile is one of the most low-VOC flooring options around. 

And that is so important when it comes to your health and the health of your loved ones. VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, can have harmful effects — especially for vulnerable groups. So the less exposure to them you have, the better. 

It Can Be Cheaper Than Hardwood

We get it—you love the look of hardwood flooring. We do, too! 

But if you look at teak floors, for example, you’ll know that beauty comes at a steep price. That doesn’t mean you need to scrap your design plans, though. If you want the look of expensive exotic wood on a budget, opt for wood-look ceramic tile instead! 

It’s a great way to get the pricey look you desire at an affordable cost.

Wood-Look Tile is Durable

While wood-look tile isn’t technically wood, it is one of the most durable wood flooring alternatives out there. It is designed to withstand heavy traffic, so it’s perfect for your rowdy family or if you frequently entertain. 

Tile has a long lifespan.

Wood-Look Ceramic Tile is 100% Waterproof

Tile is one of the least porous materials out there. You can put it anywhere and not worry about water damage. It’s naturally waterproof and doesn’t need any sealants or chemicals to help repel water.

This is what makes wood-look tiles such a great choice for a mudroom.

Disadvantages of Wood-Look Ceramic Tiles

Though wood-look tile has a ton of advantages, there are some drawbacks.

Wood-Look Ceramic Tiles Can Be Cold

We’ve all experienced the feel of cold tile on our feet. And while this can be considered a drawback for some people, it can be a huge benefit for others.

They Can Also Be Slippery

Remember what we mentioned about the Coefficient of Friction ratings? 

You can find some brands of non-slip tile that have been hand-scraped to mimic real wood. The scraping is a bonus because it improves traction. But overall it doesn’t make the problem completely go away. 

It only helps, not solves, the issue.

Tile Can Be Tricky to Install

There are several key steps to properly laying tile flooring. 

For example, tile requires an excellent subfloor—otherwise, you may end up with an uneven (and more breakable) surface. It’s no small task to lay tile, either. Spacing the grout lines is very tedious. 

Sometimes, it’s worth the extra money to get a pro to do it for you. They’re better at handling this stuff than even the most seasoned DIY-er could ever be.

How To Maintain Your Wood-Look Ceramic Tile

Caring for wood-look tile is incredibly easy. 

One of the product’s best features is that it is far easier to care for than nearly any type of wood flooring. All you need is some mild soap and cleaner. This is the ideal method to keep your grout in good shape, too.

You can also run a vacuum or static broom over your floor for general cleaning. A steam mop is fine for deeper cleaning, but you can get away without it.

Tips for Choosing Wood-Look Tile

Don’t let the many choices for wood-look ceramic tile overwhelm you. Armed with all the knowledge we shared (and a few extra tips), you’ll find buying tile much less stressful.

Tip #1: Choose a Simple Pattern

As with laminate, wood-look tile features a printed image of wood grain. That means you run the risk of seeing the same wood grain pattern repeated in different tiles. Solution: go with a simple wood-grain pattern that will be less easily noticed if it’s repeated. 

Also: cheaper options generally feature fewer unique grain patterns. Buy a higher-quality product for less repetition!

Tip #2: Opt For a Rectified Tile

Rectified tile means that each of the tile’s edges has been finished by grinding, sawing, or laser-cutting to make laying them more precise—giving you very straight lines. These tiles can then lay more symmetrically, with thinner grout lines.

Tip #3: Choose a Longer Plank Length

It may be tempting to work with shorter planks for installation, but you’ll be happy in the long run with longer ones. Longer plank lengths look more realistic, and bonus: you’ll have fewer pieces to install!

Tip #4: Test a Few Different Options

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a few options, purchase a box of each type you’re considering. That way, you can lay several pieces out and get a feel for how each one would look.

Usually, you can return unused materials, but always check your flooring store’s policy first! If you don’t want to get stuck with a box of tiles you won’t use.

Conclusion

We can’t tell you if wood-look tile is the best fit for your home. But we can tell you that you are not likely to regret installing it. 

If you want to see other tile options, check out our quality tile and stone collection and add value to your home with something special! 

We would love to help you make the right choice!