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Solid hardwood floors have been one of the popular choices to use for homes. They not only enhance the look and adds value to your homes, they are also fairly easy to clean, strong, and very durable. However beautiful and elegant they look, there are still some limitations to the use of solid hardwoods as floors.
One of the limitations may be its high initial cost and the added costs for is regular upkeep. Another limitation is its susceptibility to water damage in areas exposed to high moisture and high humidity. Because of these, some homeowners look for floor alternatives that look similar to the look and texture of solid hardwood floors but which can address some of those limitations.
Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best solid hardwood floor alternatives you can use that look similar to real hardwood floors. I’ve also added a comparison table for each floor alternative, comparing it to solid hardwood floors with the following criteria:
- Look and Texture – Since this is the main criterion for an alternative floor, it’s obviously important to include this in the comparison table. It tells how the alternative floor closely resembles the look and texture of real solid hardwood floors.
- Durability – Longevity, and durability can be a consideration for choosing a floor. Since solid hardwood floors can last as long as 30 to 100 years, it might be important to know how much durable and long-lasting the alternative floor is as compared to it.
- Water and Moisture Resistance – Solid hardwood floors are susceptible to damage and can be damaged if it gets soaked in water. It can also warp, expand, or twist due to exposure to extreme humidity and moisture changes. You might want an alternative floor that can address these issues.
- Stain Resistance – Solid hardwood floors are also susceptible to staining if spills and splatters are not addressed quickly. You might want an alternative floor that has some resistance to staining and this criterion will show how high the alternative floor’s stain resistance is.
- Scratch Resistance – Not all solid hardwood floors are the same, but even the hardest hardwood floor can still be scratched and dented by heavy and sharp objects in our homes. This criterion will show how high the alternative floor’s scratch resistance as compared to solid hardwood floors.
- Slip Resistance – There may be areas in our houses that require more traction and slip resistance, especially in wet or semi-wet areas, like in the bathroom or kitchen. Solid hardwood floors, depending on the finish that was used, can sometimes be slick. There are alternative floors that have better slip resistance than hardwood floors and this criterion will show how much it is. Anti-slip floors are also very important if you also have senior citizens living with you. An article I’ve previously written shows the best anti-slip floor options you can use for the elderly.
- Comfort – Solid hardwood floors can be warm and comfortable underfoot during winter, but it can also be hard and noisy to walk on. Some alternative floors may be more comfortable than solid hardwood floors.
- Good for Pets – Some homeowners will have pets in their homes so this criterion may be important to some. This criterion is actually closely related to the scratch resistance, stain resistance, comfort, and slip resistance criteria. Solid hardwood floors may not be a good choice for pets since it can easily accumulate scratches, and it can also get damaged or stains from urines. If you’re looking for a good floor for pets, you might want to check my article on the best floor options for pets.
- Maintenance – Although solid hardwood floors are fairly easy to clean and maintain, the regular upkeep can be tedious to some homeowners. Solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times, as many as 10 times in its lifetime, to remove accumulated scratches and to make it look new again. An alternative floor that is easier to maintain might be something you may want.
- Cost – This criterion shows how much different or similar the alternative floor’s cost is as compared to solid hardwood floors. Depending on if you’re doing it yourself or having it done by a professional, installing solid hardwood floors will cost you around $8 – $20 per square foot. This includes material and labor costs. It also depends on the type of wood species you’re installing. Harder wood species are typically more expensive than softer species.
- Resale Value – Solid hardwood floors increase the value of your homes and can also increase its resale value as well. Let’s see how the alternative floor matches this.
- DIY Friendly – Hardwood floors can be difficult to install on your own, and some might be looking for alternatives that are more DIY friendly. This criterion compares the ease of installation of the alternative floors and solid hardwood floors.
- Environmentally Friendly – Solid hardwood floors are a very sustainable material. Since it’s renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable, it has no negative impact on the environment. This might be a consideration when you decide on an alternative floor.
- Where it can be Installed – Solid hardwood floors can be installed in any room that is not exposed to extreme moisture or humidity changes. Nor can it be installed in very wet areas such as in bathrooms, or in wet basements. This criterion shows on which areas the alternative floor can be installed in.
9 Best Solid Hardwood Floor Alternatives
With the above criteria in mind, below is the list of 9 best solid hardwood floor alternatives you can choose from.
1. Engineered Hardwood Floor
| Look and Texture | – Engineered hardwood is the closest alternative flooring you could get that has the same looks and texture to solid hardwood floors. Though it is composed of several layers of wood material, you wouldn’t really know the difference when it’s already installed. – Its top layer is a veneer of actual solid hardwood. |
| Durability | – Engineered hardwood is very durable but it will wear faster than solid hardwood floors because of its thinner veneer. – It can last up to 20 to 40 years. It is still long but not as long as 100 years for solid hardwood. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Engineered hardwood is as water-resistant as solid hardwood floors and can also get damaged the same way if soaked or submerged in liquid for too long. – It is more structurally stable when exposed to extreme moisture and humidity changes than solid hardwood floors, which also contributes to its durability. |
| Stain Resistance | – Since the top layer is real wood, engineered hardwood is also susceptible to stains if a spilled liquid is left unattended for a long time. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Engineered hardwood has the same qualities as solid hardwood in terms of scratch resistance; Though it has some scratch resistance, it is still susceptible to it. Its resistance to scratches depends on the type of wood veneer used and the floor finish applied. |
| Slip Resistance | – Engineered hardwood’s anti-slip or anti-skid property is the same as solid hardwood floors. It greatly depends on the type of finish applied on the surface. As a quick guide, wax and lacquer finishes can be slippery, while oil or penetrating finishes are more non-slip. To learn more about hardwood finishes, you might want to check my article, the ultimate guide to choosing the best hardwood floor finish. |
| Comfort | – Engineered hardwood is similar to solid hardwood floors; although a hard floor, it is warm underfoot. |
| Good for Pets | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood is not a good choice for pets as it can easily accumulate scratches from the sharp nails of your pets, and it is also susceptible to damage and getting stains from the occasional urine exposure. |
| Maintenance | – Quite similar methods of cleaning and maintenance to solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood requires regular sweeping, and mopping with a damp mop. – It also requires periodic resealing or refinishing to keep it water-resistant and scratch-resistant. – Unlike solid hardwood floors which you can sand and refinish multiple times, it can only be sanded and refinished about 1 to 2 times only. |
| Cost | – Engineered hardwood costs just a bit lower than solid hardwood floors, around $3 – $15 per square foot. |
| Resale Value | – Engineered hardwood can increase the resale value of your home. Since it looks exactly like solid hardwood floors, it is perceived as the same. |
| DIY Friendly | – If choosing a snap-together system, engineered hardwood can be DIY friendly and can be easily installed as a floating floor directly over your subfloor without any adhesive or nails. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Since engineered hardwood is all made of wood, though not one solid piece, it is sustainable, it is recyclable, and it is biodegradable as well. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Engineered hardwood can be installed in any room but it is not recommended in bathrooms where it can be frequently submerged or soaked in water. – Unlike solid hardwood floors, because it has a much more stable core and as long as it doesn’t get flooded, it can be installed in areas that get occasionally wet or get exposed to extreme moisture and humidity changes such as in basements. |
2. “Classic” Solid Bamboo Floors
| Look and Texture | – “Classic” solid bamboo floor is made from horizontal or vertical strips of bamboo, laid flat, and then bonded together. – A good alternative flooring, it looks quite similar to solid hardwood floors. Except for the natural line wood pattern on the surface that is different from solid hardwood, you would mistake this as a solid hardwood floor. |
| Durability | – The “classic” solid bamboo floor has a similar hardness to the hard variety species of solid hardwood floors, such as red oak. It can last also decades, similar to hardwood floors. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – “Classic” solid bamboo floor has similar traits as solid hardwood floors. It is water and moisture resistant to a certain degree. It can be damaged if it gets soaked or flooded with water. – This floor can handle humidity changes better than solid hardwood floors can, so it will not easily warp, cup, or twist |
| Stain Resistance | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, “classic” solid bamboo floors can get stains if a liquid is left sitting on the surface for a long time. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, “classic” solid bamboo floors are also susceptible to scratches and dents from pets’ nails or heavy furniture. The type of finish used can increase its scratch resistance. |
| Slip Resistance | – Very similar to solid hardwood floors, “classic” solid bamboo floors’ slip resistance depends on the type of finish applied to its surface. They can be either anti-slip or a bit slick if the wrong finish was used. |
| Comfort | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, “classic” solid bamboo floors are hard floors but warm underfoot. |
| Good for Pets | – Because “classic” solid bamboo floors can be scratched easily, and can also get stains. It wouldn’t be a good floor to use for pets. |
| Maintenance | – “Classic” solid bamboo floors need quick sweeping and occasional mopping by damp mop are usually needed, similar to solid hardwood. – They also need to be resealed and refinished periodically to retain its water and scratch protection. – Similar also to solid hardwood, they can be sanded multiple times to remove accumulated scratches. |
| Cost | – “Classic” solid bamboo floors can be a bit cheaper than solid hardwood floors, at an average cost of around $6 – $9 per square foot. |
| Resale Value | – “Classic” solid bamboo floors can increase the real estate value of your home. |
| DIY Friendly | – With snap-together systems available, “classic” solid bamboo floors can be DIY friendly and easier to install than solid hardwood floors. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Bamboo, even though it is usually categorized as wood, is actually a grass. Being a grass, which is a rapidly renewable source, it can grow at a much faster rate than hardwood. This makes it more eco-friendly, and more sustainable than solid hardwood floors. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, “classic” solid bamboo floors can be installed anywhere except in areas that will get frequently wet or soaked in water, such as in bathrooms. – Although it can better handle extreme changes in moisture and humidity better than solid hardwood, it is still not advisable to install this in areas with such conditions. |
3. Strand Woven Bamboo Floors
| Look and Texture | – Strand woven bamboo floor is similar to the “classic” solid bamboo floor but instead of strips of bamboo, it is made from strands of bamboo woven together and then compressed under extreme heat and pressure. – The compressed strands of bamboo can make a unique marbling look on the surface similar to that of the grains of hardwood floors. It can be easily mistaken as hardwood, making it a good option as a an alternative. |
| Durability | – Strand woven bamboo floor is very durable and 3 times harder than solid hardwood floors. It can also last for decades, and with the proper maintenance, can even outlast you. – Since it is harder than solid hardwood floors, it takes longer to wear out. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Because of the way the strand bamboo floor is made, it is much denser than solid hardwood floors which also makes it more water-resistant. – It can still be damaged if standing water is left for a very long time but it has a lower risk of getting damaged as compared to solid hardwood. – Exposure to extreme moisture and humidity changes might lead it to warp, cup, or bend just like solid hardwood floors. |
| Stain Resistance | – It can still get stains if you let a spilled liquid to sit for a long time but it’ll take longer to happen than with solid hardwood floors. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Because strand woven bamboo floors are 3 times harder than solid hardwood floors, they are also 3 times scratch resistant as well. They don’t scratch or get dented as easily. |
| Slip Resistance | – Just like solid hardwood floors, using the correct finish applied on the surface will make strand woven bamboo floors either slip-resistant or slippery. It really depends on the finish that was applied. |
| Comfort | – The same as solid hardwood floors, the strand woven bamboo floors are hard floors but warm underfoot. |
| Good for Pets | – Strand woven bamboo floors can be a good floor to use for pets because of its hardness, it wouldn’t get easily scratched or dented by your pets’ claws. – Being denser and more water-resistant, you have enough time to clean up any of your pet’s mess before they become stains on your floor. |
| Maintenance | – Strand woven bamboo floors just need a regular sweeping, and occasional mopping to keep it clean. – They also need to be resealed periodically to maintain its water resistance. – They can also be sanded and refinished multiple times. Since it is much harder than solid hardwood floors, it will take years before the need to do so. |
| Cost | – It costs much less than solid hardwood floors, at approximately $7 – $9 per square foot, cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – Similar to solid hardwood floors, strand woven bamboo floors can increase the resale value of your home. |
| DIY Friendly | – With options of snap-together systems for strand woven bamboo floors, it can be DIY friendly and easy to install on your own. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Same as the “classic” solid bamboo floors, strand woven bamboo floors are eco-friendly. With a rapidly renewable source, they are a very sustainable product. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Strand woven bamboo floors can be installed almost anywhere. You would need extra care though if you plan to install it in bathrooms; you need to make sure all the seams are properly sealed to protect it from water penetration. – Some manufacturers advise against installing it in areas exposed to extreme changes in moisture and humidity because of its vulnerability to warping. |
4. Enginereed Bamboo Floors
| Look and Texture | – Engineered bamboo floors are similar to engineered hardwood floors in that it is composed of several layers of wood material with its top layer being a veneer of strand woven bamboo. – When installed, it looks just like a strand woven bamboo floor, which can also be mistaken as solid hardwood floor. |
| Durability | – Because of the strand woven bamboo veneer on top, engineered bamboo floors are also 3 times harder than solid hardwood floors. – Under normal wear and tear, it can last up to 25 years or more. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Being 3 times harder, and 3 times denser than solid hardwood floors, engineered bamboo floors are more water-resistant. – Its plywood core also makes it more structurally, or dimensionally stable. It is able to retain its shape even with exposure to extreme moisture and humidity changes. – It can still get damaged if soaked or flooded with water for a long time but it can hold up well better than solid hardwood floors. |
| Stain Resistance | – Being denser and more water-resistant to solid hardwood floors, engineered bamboo floors are more stain-resistant as well just like strand woven bamboo floors are. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Being 3 times harder than solid hardwood floors, it doesn’t scratch or gets dented as easily. |
| Slip Resistance | – Similar to hardwood floors, engineered bamboo floor’s slip resistance depends on the type of finish applied to its surface. Choose the right type of finish to make it anti-slip. |
| Comfort | – Engineered bamboo floors are hard and warm underfoot, similar to solid hardwood floors. |
| Good for Pets | – Engineered bamboo floors can be good for pets as they will not get scratched easily. – Similar to strand woven bamboo, being denser and more water-resistant than solid hardwood floors, you have enough time to clean up your pets’ mess before it can make any kind of damage or stains. |
| Maintenance | – Regular cleaning is easy with regular sweeping and mopping. – Although engineered bamboo floors will take longer to accumulate scratches, you can also sand and refinish it to make it look like new again. – Resealing periodically is also needed to enhance its water and scratch resistance. |
| Cost | – It costs much less than solid hardwood floors, at approximately $6 – $8 per square foot, cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – Engineered bamboo floors can also increase your home’s real estate value, the same as solid hardwood floors. |
| DIY Friendly | – Engineered bamboo floors usually come in snap-together systems which are very DIY friendly. Easy to install on your own as a “floating floor”. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Just like the other bamboo flooring types, engineered bamboo floors are eco-friendly and sustainable. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Engineered bamboo floors can be installed anywhere, even in areas exposed to extreme moisture and humidity changes. Extra care is still necessary though in wet areas such as in bathrooms, making sure that the seams are well sealed to prevent water penetration. |
5. Laminate Floors
| Look and Texture | – Laminate flooring is made up of several layers consisting of a wear layer on top which gives protection to the floor, an image layer with a printed photographic image of real wood, and a wood core which gives the floor stability. – The image layer is what gives it the look of a solid hardwood floor and when it’s already installed, some people won’t be able to notice that it’s not. – You might be able to notice that it’s not real up-close. |
| Durability | – Laminate floor’s wear layer is the only thing that protects it against normal wear and tear. It’s a thin and hard plastic film impervious to water and protects the floor against scratches. – It can last up to 10 to 25 years depending on the amount of traffic it is exposed to. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – With the protection of its wear layer, most laminate flooring is water-resistant to a certain degree. It is inferior to solid hardwood floors though in terms of water and moisture resistance. – Water will not be able to penetrate the surface but if it finds a way to get into the seams, you’re in big trouble. If water or any type of liquid is left to sit for a long time and finds its way to the seams, after a while, it will be able to go through it and cause damage to its wood core. – It’s not as water-resistant as solid hardwood floors but if a spilled liquid is wiped dry quickly, then you won’t have any problem with this floor. |
| Stain Resistance | – Since the laminate floor’s wear layer is impervious to liquid, it won’t be able to penetrate the surface, and even if it somehow finds a way to penetrate the seams, you won’t see any staining on the surface. – Your problem will not actually be stain but the smell. If it was your pet’s urine for example, even after wiping the floor dry, you might still smell some of it if it was able to get in between the boards, and gets absorbed by the floor’s wood core. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Laminate floor’s top wear layer is very scratch-resistant. Not all floor products are the same though, and some will be better with scratch protection than others. – It is more scratch-resistant than solid hardwood floors. |
| Slip Resistance | – Laminate floors tend to be slick and slippery. – There are, however, some manufacturers that offer products with textured, and slip-resistant wear layers. |
| Comfort | – Laminate flooring can be somewhat soft, and has a little “give” when walked on because of the foam underlayment it’s sitting on top of. – It can be more comfortable to walk on compared to solid hardwood floors but most people wouldn’t really notice. |
| Good for Pets | – Laminate flooring may not be a good floor for pets. Although it’s scratch-resistant it can be slippery to walk on or to play around on by your pets. – Your pet’s urine, even if you were able to wipe it clean, may have been absorbed by your floor’s wood core. It will eventually go, but the smell might linger for a few days. |
| Maintenance | – It’s very easy to clean laminate floors. Because of the smooth surface, you wouldn’t have a hard time sweeping the dirt off. Occasional mopping with a damp mop might be needed to remove any sticky substances. – Unlike solid hardwood floors, laminate floors don’t need any type of periodic maintenance. |
| Cost | – The cost of installing laminate floors ranges between $2 and $8 per square foot, cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – Laminate flooring won’t do much to increase your home’s value. |
| DIY Friendly | – Most laminate floors are snap-together systems and are installed as floating floors. These are DIY friendly systems you can easily install on your own. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Most laminate flooring is environmentally friendly. Since it’s mostly made from wood it has a little negative impact on the environment. – It can also be recycled and reprocessed to create a new product. |
| Where it can be Installed | – You can install laminate floors anywhere inside your homes except for areas that can get frequently wet like your bathrooms. – It is also not recommended to use in areas that can be exposed to extreme moisture and humidity changes like in your basements. – Because it can be a bit slick to walk on, this also might not be a good floor to use in areas that need better traction on their floors. |
6. Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Planks
| Look and Texture | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are one of the subtypes of vinyl flooring. They are mostly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a durable type of plastic. – Their top layer consists of a thin transparent wear coating over a printed image of its design. The printed image can be of a photographic image of solid hardwood. |
| Durability | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are very durable and will last long under normal wear and tear. Depending on the type of product you’ve installed, it can last for up to 25 years. These are for high-quality types. Cheaper and low-quality peel-and-stick vinyl planks may only last 5 years. – As they age though, they will start to become brittle and start to off. It will also start to shrink, and you’ll soon see some gaps in between planks. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are 100% waterproof and will not get damaged even if it gets soaked or submerged. – They will not, however, protect the subfloor well if the floor gets flooded. Water will not be contained and would get through into the seams which can eventually damage your subfloor. – If spilled water or liquid is wiped off quickly, then you will not have any problems. |
| Stain Resistance | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are 100% stain-proof. It can however stain when it gets into contact with very harsh chemicals. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks have a very good wear layer and can resist scratches very well. |
| Slip Resistance | – Most peel-and-stick vinyl planks have some slip resistance. – They can, however, become slippery when they’re wet. |
| Comfort | – Because peel-and-stick vinyl planks are thin and are often laid directly on to the subfloor, they will feel just as hard as the subfloor. – They are not as warm underfoot as solid hardwood floors are but they feel warmer compared to stone or ceramic tiles. |
| Good for Pets | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are good to use for pets because they can resist scratches very well and will not get stains from your pets’ messes. – Just be aware that urine can get into the seams and to your subfloor. If not wiped off quickly, it can be absorbed by the subfloor, or it can affect the adhesion of the planks. |
| Maintenance | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are very easy to clean. Just a regular sweep and vacuum is usually enough. Occasional mopping is only necessary for deep cleaning. – Unlike solid hardwood floors, there is no periodic maintenance needed. |
| Cost | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are very cheap. The cheapest among the alternative flooring on this list. It costs under $1 per square foot. |
| Resale Value | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks will not affect the resale value of your homes. Most homeowners find it cheap. It can easily be removed though and replace with another floor finish if necessary. |
| DIY Friendly | – Peel-and-stick vinyl planks are very DIY friendly. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Since peel-and-stick vinyl planks are made of PVC or some type of plastic, it is not environmentally friendly, nor is it sustainable. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Since it does not protect the subfloor against water, peel-and-stick vinyl planks are not recommended to use on areas that frequently get wet. Otherwise, any room can have this type of flooring. |
7. Luxury Vinyl Planks
| Look and Texture | – Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are another subtype of vinyl floors. They are also available with a flexible core or with a rigid core. – Just like any other vinyl flooring, its top layer consists of a thin transparent wear coating over a printed image layer of its design. The image layer can be a realistic photographic image of a real hardwood floor. Sometimes texture is added that matches the image well. – When installed, they can be mistaken as real hardwood floors but you may notice that it’s not real up-close. |
| Durability | – Luxury vinyl planks are very durable. Rigid core planks are stronger than the flexible types. Most high-quality products are guaranteed for 15 years, but they can last longer if maintained very well. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Luxury vinyl planks are water and moisture-proof. Just like any other vinyl flooring, they will not get damaged even if soaked or submerged in water. – Since most luxury vinyl planks offer snap-together systems, the seams are also protected, adding water protection to the subfloor as well. |
| Stain Resistance | – Luxury vinyl planks are 100% stain proof. It can however be damaged or get stains with very harsh chemicals. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Most luxury vinyl planks have a very good wear layer that resists scratches really well. It can still be punctured though by a very sharp object but in most cases, under normal wear and tear, it won’t be scratched so easily. |
| Slip Resistance | – Most luxury vinyl planks have good traction and have some slip resistance even when wet. Textured surface types offer better slip resistance. |
| Comfort | – Luxury vinyl planks can sometimes be installed with a foam underlayment which makes it a little bit softer to walk on. – Just like any other vinyl flooring, it is not warmer underfoot as solid hardwood floors, but it is relatively warmer than stone or ceramic tile flooring. |
| Good for Pets | – Having a good water and moisture resistance, scratch resistance, and slip resistance, luxury vinyl planks can be a good floor option for pets. |
| Maintenance | – Any vinyl flooring, including luxury vinyl planks, are very easy to clean and maintain. – Unlike solid hardwood floors, you don’t need to sand or refinish them periodically; no periodic maintenance needed. |
| Cost | – Installation of luxury vinyl planks can cost between $2 and $7 per square foot. Much cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – A good high-quality luxury vinyl plank can sometimes elevate your home’s value but not as easily as solid hardwood floors can. |
| DIY Friendly | – Luxury vinyl planks are DIY friendly and is easy enough to learn how to install on your own. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Luxury vinyl planks are not environmentally friendly, nor is it sustainable, just like any other vinyl flooring. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Luxury vinyl planks, especially the rigid core types, can be installed virtually anywhere. Even in wet areas such as in bathrooms and in basements. |
8. Ceramic Planks
| Look and Texture | – Ceramic planks are made from natural clay, sand, and water, molded and then baked into a solid and durable flooring product. – They have design options for wood-looking planks. – They can look good as an alternative solid hardwood floor when seen from a distance. – Up-close, however, it becomes apparent that it’s not real wood. The glossy finish and the grouting in between planks can give it away. |
| Durability | – Ceramic planks are very durable and do not wear as easily as other floors. – Their life expectancy is around 15 years but they can last much longer than that. – They can break apart though if dropped with a heavy object. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Ceramic planks are almost 100% waterproof. They are one of the good flooring options to use in bathrooms as they can retain water very well. |
| Stain Resistance | – Because of its impervious coating, ceramic planks do not stain easily. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Ceramic planks are very resistant to scratches. |
| Slip Resistance | – Most ceramic planks come with a very glossy finish, making it a bit slippery. – It is also more slippery when it gets wet. – A special coating can be applied to your ceramic floors to make it anti-slippery, but it may affect the look of the floor. |
| Comfort | – Ceramic planks can be hard and cold underfoot. – Being cold underfoot, it can give some comfort during the summer season. |
| Good for Pets | – Being a bit slippery, it might not be a good floor option to use for your pets. |
| Maintenance | – Ceramic planks are very easy to clean and do not have any special methods of cleaning, regular sweeping and mopping are enough. – It also does not require any periodic maintenance, unlike solid hardwood floors. |
| Cost | – The installation, including material and labor costs, of ceramic planks, ranges between $9 and $13; cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – Ceramic planks generally does not increase the home’s value. |
| DIY Friendly | – Ceramic planks are hard to install on your own. You would need to hire professionals to install these for you. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Ceramic planks are not as environmentally friendly as solid hardwood floors, but some products are recyclable which helps lessen its contribution to landfill sites. |
| Where it can be Installed | – Ceramic planks can be installed in any room. It is one of the best floors to use for wet rooms such as in bathrooms. You just need to take care as it can become slippery when it gets wet. |
9. Porcelain Planks
| Look and Texture | – Porcelain planks are in the same family as ceramic planks. They are made almost the same but with porcelain planks made stronger and much denser. – Most porcelain planks have better wood looking options than ceramic planks. – Same with ceramic planks, porcelain planks can be a good alternative floor for solid hardwood. It will however show that it’s not real hardwood when seen up-close. |
| Durability | – Porcelain planks are very durable and very strong, better than ceramic planks. – They don’t break as easily as ceramic planks and can handle heavy-traffic well. – It can last as long as 50 years under normal wear and tear. |
| Water and Moisture Resistance | – Porcelain planks are 100% water and moisture-proof. They are best to use in wet areas such as in bathrooms. |
| Stain Resistance | – Because of its impermeable surface and very dense structure, porcelain planks are stain proof. |
| Scratch Resistance | – Porcelain planks are very hard and will not get scratched so easily. |
| Slip Resistance | – Unlike ceramic tiles, most porcelain planks are anti-slip. Some products even have an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant certifications that give it an anti-slip rating. |
| Comfort | – Porcelain planks are hard and cold underfoot. It can give some comfort during the hot season. |
| Good for Pets | – Being scratch-resistant, water-proof, and anti-slip, porcelain planks can be a good option as flooring for your pets. |
| Maintenance | – Porcelain planks, similar to ceramic planks, are very easy to clean. – It has no periodic maintenance required. |
| Cost | – The installation, including material and labor costs, of porcelain planks, ranges between $11 and $15; cheaper than solid hardwood floors. |
| Resale Value | – Depending on the quality, porcelain planks can sometimes increase the home’s value but not as easily as solid hardwood floors can. |
| DIY Friendly | – In most cases, you will need to hire a professional to install porcelain planks for you. |
| Environmentally Friendly | – Similar to ceramic planks, porcelain planks are not as environmentally friendly as solid hardwood floors. Some products are recyclable however and can help reduce the accumulation of waste. |
| Where it can be Installed | – It can be installed virtually anywhere, including wet areas, indoors and outdoors. |
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