Wood-style tiles are the hottest trend in the building and remodeling industry. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are covering walls and floors where traditional hardwood or wood laminate floors once grabbed the headlines. Wood-like tiles not only look great, they’re practical in any area with extremely high traffic or exposure to the elements. The new tile designs combine the classic look of hardwood with the superior durability of tile. They’re perfect for bathrooms remodeling in the Waukesha WI area.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles designed to look exactly like wood were predicted to account for as much as 25% of sales in 2017, and have already topped that in most areas. It now accounts for as much as 40% of buyer requests. Realtors report it is equally hot with home buyers – adding to the resale value of a home.
Wood-style Tiles Are High-tech
High-tech advances allow ceramic and porcelain tiles to take on the look and texture of real wood. Through High Definition printing, tiles are more detailed than ever before. Installation isn’t restricted to traditional sizes and shapes. Wood-look tile comes in planks – long, rectangular individual pieces. They are available in varied sizes including 7 x 20 inches all the way to 24 x 48 inches.
These trending tiles are available in contemporary, rustic or traditional styles. Available in a variety of colors they can match the hues of real wood. If you want the look of old barn wood for your new bathroom floor, consider wood-style tiles.
New floors in your bathroom remodeling project should combine performance and durability. Unlike real wood and wood laminates, tiles can be used in areas regularly exposed to anything wet. A true representation of wood without the risk of water damage and its high maintenance is possible with tile. But even the newest tile design requires the typical maintenance of traditional tile. The new wood-style tile planks require grout. And grout requires periodic cleaning. The pace of traffic over the new floor will dictate the frequency – bathrooms aren’t subject to the grit and grim of places like entryways or mud rooms, so they’re easier to maintain.
Wood-style Tiles Not Ideal for DIY
Installing tile floors takes more time than real wood or laminate in the same space but there’s far less margin for error. The long tile planks that provide the unique true look are easy to beak – much easier than traditional sized tiles.
As you decide a bathroom remodeling project that includes wood-style tiles is in your future, consider:
- Unique look, style
- Versatile appeal
- Enhanced resale value of your home
- An excellent application for areas where moisture is present
- Tile requires very little maintenance
- DIY installation of “planks” requires more skill than traditional sizes, shapes
- Wood-style tiles may be more expensive than other options
Schoenwalder Plumbing provides professional plumbing, remodeling and water treatment services in Lake Country including Hartland, Delafield, Pewaukee, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Oconomowoc, Dousman and New Berlin.
To work with experts in bathroom remodeling and the latest in wood-style tiles and plumbing upgrades in Waukesha WI, call or email Schoenwalder Plumbing to explore how we can work together.