Remodeling With Wood Look Porcelain Tile

In the past few years, manufacturing techniques have progressed in a big way. About a decade ago, wood-look porcelain became available, and its popularity has been increasing ever since. These two worlds have collided, and today, manufacturers are producing wood-look porcelain tile that rivals the material it's designed to mimic.

Real wood floors are warm and inviting. They offer an air of comfort and bring elements of the outdoors into your home. Unfortunately, wood is often not the best choice. It doesn't handle water, humidity, pets, and the kids like porcelain tile can. Porcelain wood tile offers homeowners the best of both worlds.

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Wood-look porcelain tiles work perfectly in the kitchen and bathroom thanks to their properties of being waterproof, durable, and when textured, slip-resistant. When you're choosing a wood-look tile, there are a few things to look for to select the best material for your design.

What To Look For When Choosing Wood Look Porcelain Tile

Manufacturers actually print a picture of the wood grain onto the porcelain tile, so while it looks incredibly natural, repeating the same grain pattern throughout the floor will not look natural. This is known as a graphical repeat. A good manufacturer of a high-end product will use as many as 100 “faces, screens, or pictures to give their product a much more natural look.

Today, there are several different types of porcelain being used to make wood look tiles, and in fact, porcelain is one of the most popular materials used as the base for wood look tile. High-level porcelain tile has a much higher breakage point, making it the most desirable for use in the kitchen and bathroom. If you drop something substantial on a high-level porcelain tile, it's not the tile you have to worry about!

Along with Porcelain Enamel Institute breakage ratings, there is another rating called the PEI rating. This is an abrasion rating that is measured from 1 to 5, with one being the most easily scratched and 5 being the most scratch resistant. Look for a rating of 3 or more for residential applications.

Composition and Printing Wood Look Porcelain Tile

There are four main types of porcelain used when making tile. These are full-body porcelain, multiple loading porcelain, porcelain that has been de-cored with soluble salts, and glazed porcelain. Full-body porcelain is preferred because the color is uniformly distributed throughout the tile. If these types of tiles chip, you would not notice.

Larger sized tiles are difficult to manufacture. In the early days, wood-looks were first made in the 6” X 24” size. Today, manufacturing techniques have improved, so planks can be made up to 72” long. Longer tiles offer a more natural wood look. Along with long tiles, many manufacturers provide various sizes within their collections.

Just like paper printing, there is high-resolution and low-resolution printing on porcelain. The highest-quality, best-looking wood look porcelain tiles use high-definition printing during the manufacturing process. Without it, you will see pixels in the graphic on the tile, and they tend to be a bit blurry. A second printing process called roto printing, and it is produced using a roller system. This type of printing tends to use the same repeated image.

The Pros and Cons of Wood Look Porcelain Tile

Hardwood flooring is a classic, timeless look that brings warmth and sophistication to your home. However, it's expensive, difficult to maintain, and shows wear. Wood-look porcelain tile has all of the benefits of hardwood, but it's affordable, easy to clean and maintain, and much more durable.

Like any material, there are pros and cons to using wood look porcelain tile in your next home remodeling project.

The Pros:

• It's Affordable

Wood-look tile is much less expensive than traditional hardwood flooring making it an aesthetically pleasing, budget-friendly option. Both hardwood and porcelain tile should be professionally installed, so make sure to factor in the price of installation when you set your budget.

• Wood Look Porcelain Tile Comes in A Variety of Styles and Species

Because it is manufactured by printing a realistic graphic onto the tile, you can find a wide variety of styles. The surface is often textured to mimic wood grain, and because it is human-made, it comes in a range of colors, finishes, and textures. You can purchase anything from traditional oak to rich cherry or rustic driftwood. With so many style options, you'll find the perfect tile to meet your needs.

• Easy Maintenance

Like all porcelain tile, wood look porcelain is easy to maintain. Simply use a broom, or a hard-floor vacuum to remove dust, dirt, and debris. When it needs deeper cleaning, a mop and bucket with soapy water are all you need.

• Wood Look Porcelain Tile is Extremely Durable

Hardwood can scratch and is highly susceptible to water damage. Wood-look porcelain is strong enough to stand up to any room in the house, including the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom. It is scratch-resistant, doesn't fade or wear. It will hold up to daily traffic and is incredibly water-resistant and does not swell or warp. Look for a PEI rating of 4 or 5 for durability.

The Cons:

• Repairs: Treating Scratches and Refinishing

Even the most durable materials can sometimes scratch or chip over time. When you initially install wood look porcelain tiles, make sure to save some extra tiles in case you ever need to make a repair. Finding an exact tile for repair can be almost impossible as styles are continually changing. With real hardwood floors, scratches can be buffed or sanded out, and the floors can be refinished. Porcelain does not offer this, so consider choosing a timeless style to avoid having to replace the floor down the line.

• Grout

Just like any other tile flooring, wood-look tile requires grout to keep it in place. As the floors are used, the grout can start to look dirty or dingy. Occasional cleaning is necessary to stay looking fresh, To reduce this, using a darker grout can help conceal more dirt, but make sure to use a good match for darker tile finishes.

• Comfort

Porcelain tile can be cold and hard underfoot. Adding area rugs or non-slip mats can cut down on the hardness of the floors. Some wood look floor tiles are compatible with in-floor radiant heating.

• Installation

A qualified professional installer best handles the installation. There is an art to cutting down tiles, and it is a time-consuming process. Installing wood look tiles is a bit more challenging than traditional tile because wood-look tiles are longer and narrower than conventional tiles. This means that they are more at risk for breakage when in transit or when making cuts. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation, as some tiles require a sealer to be applied over the tiles and grout to complete the installation process correctly.

The Bottom Line

Wood-look porcelain tiles have become the go-to material for homeowners and designers seeking the traditional elegance of natural wood, with the flexibility and durability of porcelain tile. Wood-look porcelain tiles are a cheaper alternative to hardwood flooring, can be used in any room of the house, including wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens, making it easy to get a cohesive look throughout your home.

With so many benefits and new manufacturing techniques improving their look and durability, it's easy to see why wood look porcelain tile has exploded in popularity in the past few years. If you're considering a remodeling project, take a good look at wood look porcelain tile!

If you're planning a home improvement project n the greater Madison, Wisconsin area, give the experts at Degnan Design Build Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. We're always happy to answer your questions. Our designers are up-to-date on all the latest trends in materials and products and can help you to create your dream home.