Creating A Lovely Home

Wood flooring is both timeless and stylish. For many homeowners this material is a must throughout the home. Wood flooring is durable, matches almost any style home, is available in a variety of finishes, and can be a beautiful anchor for a room. However, wood flooring can also be expensive, difficult to maintain, and easily scratched. Wood may also not work well in certain climates or in areas that are prone to moisture intrusion. The good news is that for homeowners who want the look of wood without actually having to use wood, there are a few different options to choose from.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has come a long way in the last few decades. Laminate is a type of synthetic flooring with multiple layers fused together using a lamination process. There are a lot of options available when it comes to color and style for laminate flooring. It can be used to simulate wood and natural stone. Laminate flooring is an ideal choice for homeowners who want to simulate the look of a wood floor without installing wood flooring. The average cost for this type of flooring is between $1,438 and $4,036.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain is not the first thing that comes to many homeowner's minds when looking for an alternative to wood, but porcelain tiles can actually be a great choice. New coloring and printing techniques now allow porcelain tiles to look almost indistinguishable from wood. These wood-look porcelain tiles are a great choice for homeowners who love the look of wood but want something more durable and less easy to scratch. Wood-look tiles are an especially great choice for homes with pets since they are scratch resistant. The cost for wood-look porcelain tile runs about $2 to $5 more per square foot than traditional tile. 

Bamboo Flooring

When it comes to flooring, many people lump bamboo in with hardwood, but it's actually a type of grass! However, it does look very similar to hardwood flooring, which makes it a fantastic alternative. The main difference between hardwood and bamboo is cost. The average cost of a bamboo floor is around $730, which is far less than the cost of many hardwoods. It's also easy to refinish, easy to install, and very durable. Bamboo is also naturally moisture resistant.

Wood flooring is beautiful and a popular choice in many homes. However, it's not the right choice for every homeowner. For those who like the look of wood flooring but don't actually want to install wood floors, there are a few options. Laminate, porcelain tile, and bamboo are all great alternatives that offer the look of wood without many of the drawbacks.