There's something about hardwood flooring that lends an air of timeless elegance to your home. Easy to dress up or down, hardwood floors truly upgrade the appeal of any room. With so many gorgeous textures, grains, knotting, stains, installation patterns, and finishes, you can easily nail a charming New England look or capture the airy aesthetic of a beachfront oasis in any room of your home. But, while natural wood is nice, many homeowners are not ready for the hefty investment and thoughtful maintenance required by solid hardwood flooring.

Columbo Road in Southern Comfort by Flooring America/Flooring Canada

This is where wood-look flooring comes in. With the look of authentic wood flooring down to graining patterns and texture, wood look flooring is often waterproof, durable, more affordable, and more accessible to install than hardwood floors.

So, if you're searching for a hardwood floor that fits these descriptions, let us walk you through some of our best wood-look flooring alternatives.

Watertight Luxury Vinyl Plank

Luxury vinyl flooring is an increasingly popular hardwood alternative due to its ultra-realistic design layer. Printed to display natural hardwood, it's covered by a clear, protective wear layer. Some manufacturers offer luxury vinyl with a textured wear layer that mimics the feel of the natural wood grain, making it appear authentic. As its name suggests, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) come in different cuts, so you can choose your desired installation patterns to mimic your favorite hardwood style.

Hardwood Sports Floor--The Plate keel Structure

Luxury vinyl floors are also highly durable and affordable, making them one of the best wood-look floors on the market. LVP comes in various colors, with expansive selections ranging from light to dark. Whether you want a gorgeous white oak to brighten up a room or dark mahogany to set a moody tone, luxury vinyl captures the alluring aesthetic of hardwood with exquisite waterproof and scratch-resistant benefits.

Long-Lasting Wood-Look Tile

It's true. Now you can get the look of hardwood plus the functionality of tile. Perfect for bathrooms and kitchens (where moisture is a concerning factor), wood tile flooring allows you to keep your hardwood styles consistent throughout your home. Even in areas prone to daily spills and mishaps, tile's oops-proof resistance to stains, dents, water, heat, and humidity is perfect for a house filled with pets and kids. 

An ideal flooring choice for warm, humid climates, porcelain or stone wood-look tile keeps your home cool while resisting mold and mildew. This means you don't have to worry about your kids' allergies while reducing energy costs. Plus, it's durable, inexpensive, and easy to install. And, if you're considering an indoor vs. outdoor wood-look flooring choice, you'll want to consider wood-look tile for a seamless indoor/outdoor design. 

Affordable Laminate Wood Floors

There's a reason so many families choose laminate wood floors for their active households when looking for affordable wood-look flooring. Laminate is one of the most cost-effective alternatives to hardwood, and it has come a long way since it was first introduced, now offering a range of authentic wood looks. Many laminate manufacturers have developed their styles to offer authentic-looking hardwood grain patterns, giving you the exact aesthetic you need for much less out-of-pocket cost. 

Its clear protective coating makes it highly durable and water resistant. Laminate wood floors are aesthetically pleasing, and their composition acts as a natural insulator. Reducing your home's heating bills and aiding in sound absorption, it's the perfect choice for your home office or family room so you can work in peace while your kids play.

Reliable Engineered Wood Flooring

Ragged Peak Plank in Rock Ledge by Flooring America

If you are looking for a floor that most closely resembles hardwood with the benefits of waterproof qualities, it's time to consider engineered hardwood floors. This type of floor not only looks exactly like wood, but it feels like wood, too, because it is! Engineered hardwood consists of a rigid bonded plywood core to set a strong base structure and is topped with a thin veneer of natural solid wood. This makes engineered hardwood planks much more durable than solid wood floors.

How? The core is manufactured to prevent expansion and warping with changes in the air's moisture levels. It gives your home the durability it needs, even in the most weather-fluctuating and high-moisture environments. This gives homeowners the best of both worlds, with a classically natural, solid wood look available in various styles, colors, and species—whether you love hickory, oak, or contemporary gray ash planks.

Wood-Look Flooring FAQ

Are you curious to know more about wood-look floors? Explore our top-asked questions below.

What type of flooring looks most like wood?

In the realm of faux wood flooring, laminate flooring stands out as the optimal choice for achieving the most authentic wood look. Renowned for its ability to replicate wood's natural warmth and texture, laminate flooring seamlessly mimics the grains, knots, and hues found in real wood surfaces.

What is the best alternative to hardwood flooring?

Luxury vinyl flooring combines visual appeal with unmatched durability, making it one of the best alternatives to hardwood flooring. This innovative flooring solution comes in diverse styles, textures, and finishes, allowing you to achieve the desired wood look while enjoying enhanced resistance to moisture, scratches, and daily wear.