Tile Vs. Engineered Wood Floor
Tile gives a natural, handcrafted look that is durable and easy to care for. Engineered wood gives the consumer lower initial costs and another classic look. Does this Spark an idea?
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Features
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Suited for entryways and high traffic areas, tile is a hard material that can be treated to be stain resistant.
Consisting of a real wood top layer glued to thin layers called "plies," engineered wood is less susceptible to shrinkage and more stable than solid wood.
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Applications
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With numerous design, color, size and texture options, tile can be used anywhere in the home and is often the choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
The thin top layer of high quality wood allows for a full spectrum of choices in engineered wood. Installation in kitchens and bathrooms tends to be avoided because of a susceptibility to water damage.
Function
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Tile can be porous. There are different types of tiles with different levels of porosity for specific areas of the home.
Engineered wood presents a warmer, more resilient surface and can provide better acoustics than tile.
Disadvantages
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Tile can be very heavy and requires a strong subfloor.
Engineered wood can be prone to denting if the thin upper layer gives way. Sunlight may cause it to fade.
Advantages
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If the natural look of wood is the goal, at a lesser cost, engineered wood provides an attractive easy-care alternative.
Tile offers durable, practical flooring that easily accomodates creative design patterns.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Sherrie Thai
