SAN ANTONIO – Whether you’re updating your home or getting ready to sell, wood is a favorite for flooring, but it’s not always practical for every room. Consumer Reports looked into some faux flooring options that can go anywhere real wood can’t.
When Rachel Trobman updated her guest room, she wanted the popular wood look.
“We knew the cost associated with wood, everything from staining it to the fact that we couldn’t put it down ourselves, we knew that wasn't in our budget,” she said.
Trobman opted for tile that looks like real wood and is more durable. There are rooms where real wood is not practical.
Wood lends warmth in a kitchen, but it can dent and show wear, which is why some of the new options are better, Consumer Reports said. Faux wood can also be used in bathroom or laundry room.
Consumer Reports tests focused on how quickly surface wear was in noticeable, whether a floor is resistant to dents and scratches and whether it fades in the sun over time. Dozens of products that mimic wood were tested, and many can stand up to wear and tear and can even pass for the real thing.
One porcelain tile from Lumber Liquidators that looks like Brazilian cherry was resistant to traffic and cracking. Testers said it’s a smart choice for a kitchen or mudroom.
For high-traffic areas, testers recommended vinyl tile from Armstrong to fend off stains and scratches.
If you’re on a budget, testers recommend Pergo laminate, which is less than $3 per square foot and is easy to clean.
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