Wood tile is an alternative type of wood flooring that is made out of square tiles instead of the more traditional long and thin boards. Because of their unique method of construction, wood tiles provide a number of unique features and benefits. There are several different types of wood tiles available on the market, each of which is slightly different. Understanding the differences between the variant of wood tiles can help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

Solid Wood Tiles

Solid wood tiles are made out of hardwood all the way through. The main draw of this type of wooden tile is the fact that they can be easily sanded down and refinished once they have become worn down, which is a significantly cheaper process than having your entire floor replaced. Furthermore, they provide a truly authentic wood aesthetic to your floor.

However, solid wood tiles do come with a number of downsides. Firstly, they tend to be on the more expensive side of the spectrum, which means they may not be ideal for all budgets. Furthermore, they are susceptible to moisture damage, which means that they are not the best fit for areas exposed to high degrees of humidity.

Engineered Wood Tiles

Engineered wood tiles are made up of several different layers of material, usually plywood and softwood, with a layer of hardwood glued on top. This construction allows for engineered wood tiles to handle areas of high moisture and humidity much better than their solid wood counterparts. Additionally, as less expensive materials are used for the majority of the construction, engineered wood tiles tend to cost less than solid wood tiles as well.

However, as there is only a relatively thin layer of hardwood on their surface, they cannot be refinished and thus have to be replaced when damaged. Additionally, they will show wear much more easily than their solid counterparts, as the core of the tile will show through once the surface has worn away.

Laminated Wood Tiles

Laminated wood tiles are not actually hardwood tiles at all, but vinyl or MDF tiles which have been textured and colored (or had a thin layer of colored laminate glued on top) to emulate the appearance of hardwood. Their main advantage is their affordable price and their resistance to moisture.

However, laminated wood tiles are nowhere near as durable as solid or engineered wood tiles, and will begin to show wear in extremely busy areas fairly quickly in comparison. Additionally, as they are made out of plastic and not wood, they cannot be refinished. Finally, it should be noted that the lower quality range of laminated wood tiles may be susceptible to color fading over time due to sunlight exposure.

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