Tiles vs Hardwood – What is The Difference Between Tile and Hardwood?

Tile

Hardwood

• Ceramic tiles contribute towards very sturdy floors

• Hardwood floors can be either engineered planks or solid planks. Solid wood are used mainly if the sub-floor is of a wood type. Engineered hardwood is available in both narrow and wide planks and has an outlook of several planks joined together.

• Installation is on a cement mixture spread on concrete slabs or on a double layer of exterior-grade extra thick plywood. The tiles have to be grouted for total sealing.

• Solid hardwood floors are nailed down while engineered hardwood can be glued down, stapled to or floated over the sub-floor.

• Ceramic tiles carry a glazed finish. When scratched these tiles start showing the underbody color. Tiles can be purchased in different geometric shapes, sizes, colors and designs

• Hardwood can be obtained in narrow or wide planks featuring different grain patterns. They can be used both for decorative accents and fine furnishing in homes, offices and other structures.

• Pricing of tiles can range anywhere between $1 per square foot to several hundred dollars depending on their quality, design and style.

• The floating installation method used in engineering hardwood is less costly compared to solid hardwood installation as well as ceramic tile floor installation.

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• Durability of tiles can be greatly enhanced with proper installation, quality maintenance and depending on standard of the sub-floor. Using chair pads, regular removal of dirt and grit from tile surface helps prevent damage to the glazed finish.

• Durability of hardwood also depends on the quality of sub-floor. There should be no dips and high areas.

• Ceramic tiles are ideally suited for wet areas including kitchens, bathrooms and front foyers. In warmer climates tiles can be used throughout the entire building.

• Solid hardwood is generally suited in areas where humidity is not dominatingly present.  However, since engineered hardwood is more stable dimensional-wise they can be used in different areas of the building and even on concrete slabs. Hardwood is not recommended for wet areas like bathrooms. If used in kitchens the floor should be ideally covered with rugs in areas with high likelihood of spilling which can damage the floor’s finish.  Hardwood floors also benefit from chair pads to prevent scratches.  In areas exposed to bright sunlight there may be slight changes in color after a period of time, particularly when used on patios.