TileStyle

Rex Porcelain wood effect tile (below)

Kahrs engineering timber floor (above).

Real wood versus porcelain wood effect, which is better, there's only one way to find out...

Fight, well maybe not because there would only be one winner in that contest. Porcelain is a very tough competitor.

Perhaps a better question to ask would be solid wood versus engineered wood.

Well first of all it might help to explain what engineered wood boards are. Engineered wood is made by attaching a layer of hardwood to a softwood base, often with a plywood bottom or a softwood bottom. Unlike with solid wood boards, you are not getting pure hardwood. This is not necessarily a bad thing because the layered softwood base helps to improve moisture resistance and stability.

Layered construction Woodlock joint

Engineered boards come pre-finished and are laid as floating floors, i.e. are not glued or nailed to the base. The Kahrs engineered wood flooring available from TileStyle comes with a woodloc joint which is glueless. It is the strongest mechanical joint system on the market.

Solid wood boards are more prone to expansion and contraction than engineered wood. Unlike solid hardwood flooring, engineered flooring can be installed in any room that you choose, even a basement, because it can withstand moisture better due to its layered construction. Engineered flooring can be installed over underfloor heating. It is also easier to install and looks just as beautiful as solid flooring but is much more environmentally friendly.

All Kahrs wood floors are pre-finished, all surface treatments are strong enough to withstand even the toughest daily wear, yet thin enough not to disguise the wood's lustre. Kahrs have been manufacturing quality multi-layered wood floors for 60 years. Kahrs offers a 30 year guarantee on its original range.

Ceramic Tile versus engineered timber.

One trend is the realistic wood plank look ceramic tile. As a homeowner this decorative choice allows you to experiment with the colors and tones offered by the warm look of wood floors, and also provides the durability of ceramic tile. Along with durability, advantages to tile over wood include:

• Fire resistant - will not feed a fire or release toxic emissions
• Moisture resistant
• Wears well and resistant to scratches
• Stain resistant
• Resistant to chemical damage
• Easy to clean

Kahrs Oak Residenza (engineered timber).

Rex Abisko porcelain tile range (above)

One of the most realistic wood effect tiles on the market is from Rex and is available from TileStyle.

So to sum up the choice is really yours both products have their advantages and disadvantages and you need to carefully assess their suitability for your particular circumstances.