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More than 37% of Americans removed and installed new floors in the past year.
If you're on the fence with tile vs. wood flooring, you're in luck. Both are popular, durable, and stylish options for your home or business.
It isn't a matter of being right or wrong, either. The real question is: which is better for you?
Keep reading to find the answer!
The Benefits of Tile Floors
Ceramic flooring, otherwise known as “tiles” comes in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes, patterns, and colors.
Tile floors are very durable against wear and staining. The thing is because they're made of rigid materials, they do chip and crack on occasion. At that point, there are only two things you can do.
Replace that single tile, with excruciating effort, or the whole thing.
That said: They're low maintenance, cost-effective, water-resistant, and tend to have a good carbon footprint. They're excellent choices for bathrooms and areas that have the potential for more moisture, like basements.
Wood Floors: Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood floor is made of layers of wood pressed together, a bit like plywood. They were first made for distribution in the 1960s and have come a long way from the temperamental flooring material they were at the time.
There are now hundreds of different styles, finishes, and shapes to choose from. In many ways, they're similar to tiles, and some people even call them “wood tiles.”
They're more water-resistant than most hardwood but do still absorb moisture since they too are made of wood. They're easy to clean, but industrial cleaners tend to remove the finish little by little with each use.
Dry sweeping and using a damp (not wet) mop is best.
They also tend not to do well against pet nails over time and could wear out. Fortunately, in particularly high traffic areas you can always replace boards without redoing your whole floor.
Solid Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors share many of the same issues as engineered wood, but different wood species have different qualities. It tends to be a more expensive option than tile or engineered hardwood flooring options.
While hardwood can scratch and show wear, you can refinish solid hardwood floors to keep it going for a long time. Some wear actually gives wood character, and some floors barely wear at all due to their hardness on the Janka Scale.
Tile vs. Wood Flooring
In the battle of tile vs. wood flooring, there's no clear winner. The great thing is that there doesn't have to be. Both have merits and drawbacks for each home or office. With this guide, you should have a better idea of which will be better for your space.
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