Timber Flooring vs Timber Look Flooring

Timber has always been a popular choice for homeowners when it comes to putting something down underfoot. It’s gorgeous and tough, standing up to just about anything life can throw at it, and over the years it develops a fantastic patina that can add immeasurably to a home’s charm.

For all the gushing we could do over hardwood flooring, it does come with one major drawback: the cost. It’s one of those easy places to cut your expenses when building or renovating. Choosing an alternative can bring down the cost of your flooring significantly, and that’s tempting for a lot of people.

If you’re set on the timber look but still want to give your wallet a rest, then you’re in luck. There’s now a vast selection of timber-look flooring that can help you achieve the right aesthetic without breaking the bank.

Timber look flooring is exactly what it sounds like! Flooring options that look like timber, except they aren’t. There are typically four kinds to choose from:

1. Laminate. Laminates have been around for a long time now. You’ve probably seen them at your friends’ houses or on the shelves at stores. They are boards made with a lamination process that layers up melamine with a wood-look finish printed or painted on top. The planks typically click together and they can be installed over almost any substrate.

2. Hybrid flooring. In recent years hybrid flooring has grown in popularity significantly. It’s constructed with layers similar to laminate flooring, except the top layer is waterproof and the core is made from waterproof plastic or plastic-wood compounds. The result is planks that are tougher and longer-lasting than their laminate counterparts.

3. Vinyl flooring. Vinyl is usually made from several layers of plastic with a faux timber finish painted, printed or embossed on the surface. Because the planks are made from plastic, vinyl flooring is able to be moulded to have a textured face, enhancing its looks and making the wood finish seem even more realistic.

4. Timber look tiles. These are simply ceramic or porcelain tiles that have been printed to look like planks of timber. Their material makes them even tougher than hardwood, and they’re ideal for outdoor or wet areas that natural timber simply wouldn’t stand up to. They aren’t quite as cost-effective as the other two choices, but they’re worth considering.

Price. Depending on the products you buy and where you buy them from, vinyl and laminate flooring cost about half as much as real hardwood options. Premium options cost more, but on average they’re great for people on a budget.

Longevity. Vinyl and laminate flooring comes in dozens of variations. Some are designed for hard use and have hardy coatings that protect them for decades against foot traffic. Cheaper options tend to have less protection and show signs of wear sooner. If you choose the right product then it’ll stand up to many decades of family rough and tumble before it needs to be updated.

Wet areas. As beautiful as wooden floors are, they’re a bad choice for bathrooms or other wet areas. On the other hand, vinyl and hybrid flooring are especially good options for those applications. Both are impervious to water and moisture, and they’re extremely easy to clean. Laminate flooring is often water-resistant rather than waterproof, so it won’t always be a good option for rooms that see a lot of water.

Ease of installation. If you’re looking for a project or want to save money on the installation, vinyl, laminate and hybrid options are usually well within the reach of the DIY builder. No special tools are needed, but a little patience and a steady hand will go a long way. Just keep in mind that some manufacturers might not honour warranties where their products have been installed by an amateur, so make sure to check first!

The option you choose comes down to what you need it to do. There’s no replacement for timber if that’s what you’re really after. The flowing lines of the grain, the feel underfoot, the way it picks up character as it ages - those things aren’t so easy to replicate.

But if what you want is the warmth of timber and the softness of its natural colours, timber look options are an excellent choice that can save you money on both materials and installation costs. As long as you pick a product that will stand up to the intended use, it’s hard to go wrong.

If you’d like more information on timber look products or help to choose the one that’s right for your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Stone3 or to view our flooring library here.