Wooden floor tiles are porcelain or ceramic tiles printed with a timber grain, cut into long planks. They give the look of a wood floor but shrug off water, heat and scratches, so they suit kitchens, bathrooms, patios and rooms with underfloor heating. Colours range from pale oak to dark kiaat and grey driftwood. Send one request with your room sizes and the look you want, and independent tile suppliers and tilers in your area quote you directly. It is free and there is no obligation.
Plank sizes and finishes
Most wood-look tiles come as long rectangles. Common choices include:
- 150 x 900 mm: a narrow plank that looks like a traditional board.
- 200 x 1200 mm: a wider, longer plank that gives a modern look with fewer grout lines.
- 200 x 1000 mm: a balanced size that suits most rooms.
Look for rectified edges, which allow thin grout lines of about 2 to 3 mm. Matt and textured finishes grip better underfoot than polished ones, which matters near pools and in wet rooms.
Preparation and laying
Long tiles need a flat base. A slab that dips or rises shows up as lipped edges between planks, so the tiler may level the screed first. The tiles are bedded in flexible adhesive using a notched trowel, and large planks need full coverage with no hollow spots under them.
A common tip is to lay the planks staggered by a third rather than a half, to avoid bowing at the edges of long tiles. Tiles can also go over sound existing tiles in some cases. Compare with vinyl flooring if you want a softer, warmer surface.
What drives the cost
Tile price depends on the size, the quality of the print and the finish. Longer planks cost more per square metre and need more care to lay. Add adhesive, grout, levelling compound, trims at doorways and the labour of laying. Ask for a waste allowance of 10 percent or more, because long planks leave more off-cuts than square tiles, especially in a staggered pattern.
If you only want the real thing, see wooden floors for solid, engineered and laminate options.
Comparing quotes and aftercare
Give every supplier the room sizes, the plank size, the colour and whether you want supply only or supplied and laid. Ask them to list adhesive, grout, trims and removal of the old floor, and check that all tiles come from the same batch so the shade matches. Buy a few spare tiles for future repairs.
Wood-look tiles are simple to look after. Sweep, then mop with a mild cleaner. Seal the grout if the tiler advises it, and wipe spills so they do not stain.
What to include in your request
- The rooms and their size in square metres
- Plank size, for example 200 x 1200 mm
- The colour and finish: matt or textured
- What is on the floor now: tiles, screed
- Supply only, or supplied and laid
Wood-Look Floor Tiles for different clients
- Homeowners: wood-look planks through kitchens, bathrooms and the stoep, easy to mop
- Flats and townhouses: plank tiles in open-plan living areas that clean quickly and cope with underfloor heating
- Builders, developers and renovators: large plank tiles priced per square metre and laid once the screed is flat and dry
- Landlords and letting agents: tough tiles that survive tenants, resist stains and need almost no upkeep
- Offices, practices and showrooms: hard-wearing plank tiles in reception, corridors and kitchenettes with heavy foot traffic
- Guesthouses, lodges and restaurants: slip-resistant wood-look tiles in restaurants, patios and lodge bathrooms
- Shops, salons and cafés: durable plank tiles for shops and salons that need a warm look and easy cleaning
- Schools, halls, gyms and studios: non-slip plank tiles in school corridors, halls and church foyers
Frequently asked questions
Are wood-look tiles better than real wood in a kitchen?
What size wood-look tile should I choose?
How much do wood-look porcelain tiles cost?
Do you sell or lay floor tiles yourselves?
Wood-Look Floor Tiles by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg