Wood-look tile is the biggest segment in the tile industry at the moment. It looks more realistic than ever before and still has the time-tested durability of ceramic and porcelain tile products. It has become a standard in the industry and we expect it will be around for a long time.
From contemporary to rustic and everything in between, today it’s available in many different sizes and looks. It looks as great in an urban loft as it does in a traditional rustic kitchen. Wood-look tile is the bridge that blends eclectic and transitional elements into a cohesive design.
Shape & Size
Traditional plank sizes will always be available, but this year look for interesting shapes like hexagons and small mosaics added to the mix. Brick sizes and shapes in a wood-look tile will be hot in 2017 as well.
Narrower planks that became the standard in the 1950s are now available in porcelain and are the perfect dimensions to create herringbone or chevron patterns. Longer planks will also become available—up to 70 inches long or more! As time goes by, the wood-look tile technology gets better and better. The natural wood industry is also producing larger planks and our technology allows us to keep up with their offerings.
Wood-Look Types
The year 2017 will be one for both the old and the new. You’ll see traditional offerings like oak alongside exotic wood species and unique finishes. Larice wood is a tight-veined, clean wood that fits well in Scandinavian styles. Look for it and similarly clean, high-contrast offerings coming to the tile market soon.
Traditional, aged oak with chipped edges, saw marks, chatter marks, hand-scrapped effect, etc. will be hot in 2017 too. Tile technology is doing a great job of accurately replicating these delicate artisan and aged features in a tile that is far from old and delicate. Add character to your design with an aged wood-look tile.
Finishes
Finishes on wood-look tile will expand in 2017 with a revisit to some time-tested favorites. Vaporized wood has a unique look that makes the grain and wood textures more pronounced. Ceruse is a 16th century wood finishing process that used white lead and wood stain to make the grain stand out from the background wood. It was also known as limed wood and it’s going to be hot in 2017.
The focus on bringing out wood grain in a dramatic way is perfectly suited to oak looks that have a rich grain. Tile technology has reached the point where it can replicate both the sophisticated grain patters and interesting finishes.
At Tiles Unlimited, dual winner of 2017 Best of the Boro (Best Tile Store & Best Kitchen & Bath), you’ll find more than 25 wood-look tile collections on display. Stop in today and let our expert Tile Consultants help you put together the design of your dreams. Before you come in, take a look at our Design Inspiration Gallery for ideas and make sure you print out your $600 off tile coupon.
