If you’re looking at either a new build home or a renovation and you’ve got complete carte blanche on your flooring choices, two of the most common options are likely to be wood and tiles. While both of these solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, choosing between the two can be a tough call. In putting this article together we’ve tried to give you an overview of both flooring options as well as ideas for different situations where one might work better than the other.
Wood flooring
If you’ve done any flooring research at this stage, you’ll be aware that there’s a real abundance of wood flooring options on the market these days. Everything from budget solid wood to top of the range engineered wood flooring, there really is something for everyone, both on the High Street and online. When it comes to choosing the wood flooring that might work best for your project, the key questions to ask are:
- Do temperatures, and or moisture levels in your room fluctuate considerably and regularly?
- Do you have under floor heating in your room?
If the answer to either, or both of these questions is “Yes”, then your best option is definitely engineered wood flooring. If the answer is no, you’ll be able to choose from either solid or engineered wood flooring.
The main advantage of engineered wood flooring is that it’ll stand up to fairly significant temperature and moisture fluctuations without taking harm. This is because of the clever way that engineered wood flooring is constructed. What this means is that if you have either under floor heating, which, by implication, will cause temperature fluctuations, or dampness issues in part of your home, but not in others, you can choose engineered wood flooring for a nice consistent look throughout. That said, solid wood flooring is a really hardwearing and attractive flooring option that truly has stood the test of time.
Here are the real advantages of wood flooring (engineered or solid):
- It’s highly affordable.
- It’s available in a whole host of species, grades, colours and plank sizes to enable you to create virtually any sort of interior look you’re hoping for.
- It’s easy to maintain.
- It has stood the test of time, being the preferred option in many a French chateau as well as stately homes.
- Depending on the option you choose, you’ll be able to re-sand and re-finish your floor several times throughout its lifespan.
- By choosing an unfinished wood floor you can create any look you want and even change it in the future by sanding and re-finishing.
- There are some stunning ‘aged’ looking wood floors available now that’ll give you a real heritage look without having to wait for centuries!
- It’s warm under foot.
- It looks great.
Tile flooring
Ceramic tile flooring is highly popular in hot countries and certainly has gained a lot of interest in the UK in recent years. With ceramic tiles being available in all shapes, sizes and colours, once again you can create pretty much any interior look you’re hoping for.
Here are some of the advantages of ceramic tile flooring:
- It’s available in a whole host of options, so you can really go wild with your ideas.
- It’s affordable.
- It’s easy to maintain.
- It’s waterproof.
- Suitable for DIY type installation.
And the disadvantages:
- It tends to be cold under foot.
- It can’t be altered one it’s laid, unlike wood, which can be re-sanded and re-finished.
- If you have children esp. babies, falling over on tile flooring is likely to hurt more.
So how do you decide?
In the UK, temperatures tend to be lower than those experienced by our European neighbours, who typically enjoy warmer summers and therefore opt for ceramic tiles to keep their home cool. Granted, for certain rooms in the home, the practical side of ceramic tiling is perfect, but for rooms like bedrooms and lounges in the UK there’s no getting away from the warmth, style and practicality of wood.
How about a compromise?
If you’re struggling to choose between wood and tile in your home, why not opt for tile in the likes of kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms as well as perhaps even halls and then in the rooms where you want warmth under foot, plump for wood. Working this way means that you really can have the best of both worlds.
Tile vs wood flooring compared
Criteria | Tile Flooring | Wood Flooring |
---|---|---|
Variety | Available in many shapes, sizes, and colors, allowing for a lot of creativity. | Available in a range of species, grades, colors, and plank sizes for a variety of interior looks. |
Affordability | Generally affordable. | Highly affordable with options to fit various budgets. |
Maintenance | Easy to maintain. | Easy to maintain. |
Durability & Lifespan | Durable but cannot be altered once laid. | Extremely durable. Depending on the type (engineered or solid), wood floors can be re-sanded and refinished multiple times throughout their lifespan. |
Comfort & Feel | Tends to be cold underfoot. | Warm underfoot and provides a comfortable feel. |
Water Resistance | Waterproof, making it suitable for damp areas. | Engineered wood flooring can handle moisture and temperature fluctuations. However, solid wood flooring is less resilient in damp conditions. |
Installation | Suitable for DIY type installation. | Can be installed DIY, though professional installation is recommended for the best results. |
Ideal for | Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and halls due to their water resistance and durability. | Bedrooms, lounges, and other areas where warmth and comfort are desired. Suitable for underfloor heating if engineered wood is chosen. |
Other Factors | Might not be the safest choice for homes with babies or young children due to the hardness of the surface. | Some options can provide an ‘aged’ or heritage look without having to wait for centuries. Unfinished wood floors can be customized as per preference. |
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FAQ
Which has a greater variety, tile flooring or wood flooring?
Both tile flooring and wood flooring offer a wide range of options. Tile flooring is available in many shapes, sizes, and colors, while wood flooring comes in a range of species, grades, colors, and plank sizes. Therefore, both types of flooring allow for a lot of creativity in your interior design.
How do tile flooring and wood flooring compare in terms of affordability?
Both tile and wood flooring are generally considered affordable. However, the exact cost can vary based on the specific type or quality of tile or wood chosen.
Which type of flooring is easier to maintain, tile or wood?
Both tile flooring and wood flooring are easy to maintain. Regular cleaning should be sufficient to keep both types of flooring in good condition.
Is tile or wood flooring more durable?
Both tile and wood flooring are durable. However, wood flooring, depending on the type (engineered or solid), can be re-sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its lifespan, effectively renewing its surface. On the other hand, tile cannot be altered once laid.
Which type of flooring is more suitable for damp areas?
Tile flooring is waterproof and therefore more suitable for damp areas like bathrooms or kitchens. While engineered wood flooring can handle some moisture and temperature fluctuations, solid wood flooring is less resilient in damp conditions.