TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- If you love the look of wood flooring, there's a new option surging in popularity you might want to consider.
In this Angie's List report, the pros and cons of wood-look tile.
Thanks to different colors and finishes, wood tiles are giving real wood floors a run for their money.
"The high definition that the manufacturers have been printing on these tiles give the grain a natural look. You can feel the grain in it so it seems real," said flooring expert Cory Steenbergen.
So real, even savvy homeowners can be fooled.
"When they look at them, they actually don't believe that they're actual tiles," she said.
These titles are more durable than regular wood - meaning you don't have to worry about the wear and tear.
"You will never have fading, scratches, chips, nicks, the fading of the finish, doesn't need to be sealed. It's super easy to clean. There's no warpage," explained Steenbergen.
They're also a good idea in places prone to water - like your kitchen, bathroom and even laundry room. While they're a bit more expensive than your typical tiles, experts say they're a smart investment.
"They can range from $2 to $5 more than your 12x12 porcelain, but the quality that you get from them and the longevity of the tile, you can't beat it and it's going to give a nice warm, modern look to a remodel," said Steenbergen.
The downside? Tiles may help keep your home cooler in the summer, but they may not be so comfortable in the winter if you live in a cold climate. Installation also needs to be perfect. Angie's List says flaws will show.
"The key to installation of wood-look tile is that you want it to end up in the end looking like a hardwood floor. So, it comes down to the grout. The color of the grout and the width of the grout is going to be very important to getting that finished look you want," said Angie Hicks of Angie's List.
If you do choose wood-look tile flooring, Angie's List suggests you keep a few extra tiles just in case you need to replace one and the line you purchased is discontinued.
Remember you can catch the latest Angie's List report every Tuesday morning on WTXL Sunrise.
