Hardwood flooring has a certain aesthetic that can work with a multitude of layouts and design schemes and is proven to withstand the test of time. However, this flooring does not always come cheap and may not survive large amounts of traffic without regular upkeep and maintenance. Many people instead opt to use durable and often more budget-friendly tiles. Many manufacturers even create tiles with organic-looking patterns that mimic wood finishes; so could it even be worth it to pay the extra premium for genuine hardwood flooring? This article from Elite Carpet Cleaning is designed to weigh the pros and cons of each choice.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood has remained incredibly popular for many decades for good reasons. It can provide a sense of natural warmth and classic appeal to almost any room, but also blends in well with most wall colors and decoration schemes.

The biggest downside of wood floors is the aforementioned maintenance. Hardwood can be notoriously fussy, especially in regards to moisture. Proper sealing and regular attentiveness are essential to prolonging the life of the flooring. Plus, the absorbent nature of wood makes it a poor candidate for rooms that deal with regular puddles and spills, such as the bathroom or laundry room.

Cost is also something most people have to consider. Ever since the global pandemic disrupted supply lines across the world, wood products are going for a premium. Even in ideal economic times, wood flooring still outprices manufactured tile products.

Faux Wood Tile Flooring

The most prominent advantage that faux wood tiles offer over genuine hardwood is the price. At around $2-8 per square foot, its often an attractive option when budget constraints are in place.

But the lower cost is also a double-edged sword. A cheaper price generally means less value added to the home. It won’t reduce your home’s overall value, but it won’t necessarily be something that an appraiser would put down as a major positive.

Something that is a major positive, though, is the durability factor. Tile is renowned for its long lifespan in the face of heavy use and exposure to moisture. There are reasons it’s used in so many bathrooms, after all. If you live in humid or otherwise wet climates, or have energetic children or pets, tile flooring may be the better option if you just want to install it and not worry about it for a long, long time.

But to many people, the most apparent downside of tile floors is how it feels. As soon as you set foot on it, its chilly, artificial, sometimes slippery feel can be off-putting to people who prefer to not wear footwear in the house.

Additionally, the exposed grout lines of faux wood tile betray the fact that it is not real wood. Many people are fine with this, but others may feel that it takes away from the aesthetic they are trying to create.​

Which is Best for You?

Faux wood tile and hardwood flooring both have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, and neither one is typically a bad choice. It mostly comes down to your own personal needs and tastes. We at Elite Carpet Cleaning hope this article has helped you to make an informed decision.

But whatever you go with, did you know that Elite Carpet Cleaning also specializes in maintaining hard flooring surfaces, including hardwood floors, tile, and grout? If your current floors need some touch up or cleaning, give us a call.