How to Choose Rustic Wood-Look Hardwood Flooring

If you love the look of rustic wood flooring, but you need an affordable and durable solution, luxury vinyl plank should be a serious consideration.

Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Plank

• It's 100% waterproof, so it won't peel, swell or crack if it's exposed to water.
• It has a rigid core that's strong and will hide imperfections in your subfloor.
• There's an attached pad, which reduces sound while adding comfort.
• A click-lock system is a DIY-friendly installation project.
• LVP is also easy to clean.
• Because it's waterproof, LVP can be used in mudrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Look & Feel
Now that you know the benefits, let's take a look at some examples of luxury vinyl plank. In the left image, an industrial loft gets an upgrade with these planks in rich brown tones. These planks have a rustic and authentic look of wire-brushed oak. Beveled edges and an embossed texture gives the appearance of real wood.

In the middle image, this wood-look flooring resembles rustic pine planks. They have a textured woodgrain that would look great in an entryway, living room, bedroom and more. This flooring is also a kid- and pet-friendly option because it resists wear and scratches.

Our final LVP flooring option brings coastal charm to this bedroom with rustic tones in whites, beiges, grays and blues. The wider planks and light tones create an airy feel that would work well in living spaces and bedrooms.

More Info
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Tile can mimic the look of rustic hardwood flooring. We'll explore the benefits of luxury vinyl tile, as well as porcelain tile to determine the one that would work best for your household.

Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Tile

• Depending on the type that's purchased, LVT is highly water-resistant or waterproof. It's a popular option for mudrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
• LVT is quieter, warmer and more comfortable underfoot than porcelain tile.
• LVT is low-maintenance. It's doesn't require refinishing or sealing. To clean it, just simply sweep and mop.
• It's a good option if you have kids and pets because it's stain-, dent- and scratch-resistant.
• LVT costs less to install than hardwood or porcelain tile. A click-lock floating system is typically used for LVT.
• It's simple to repair. Just replace an individual tile or plank rather than removing the whole floor.
• Wood-look luxury vinyl tile has a textured surface that can mimic hardwood flooring. There's also a wide selection of colors, textures and plank sizes to choose from.

Benefits of Porcelain Tile

• It's waterproof, so it can be used indoors or out. Unlike real wood, it won't rot, warp or swell when exposed to water. Use it in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and more.
• It's more durable and scratch-resistant than most wood flooring.
• Tile works well with kids, pets and heavy traffic.
• It's easy to clean. Just sweep and mop.
• Wood-look porcelain tiles can have wood grain, knots and textures that resemble the real thing.
• Tile won't fade or dent. It has better resistance to humidity and sunlight than real wood flooring.
• If properly maintained, porcelain tile can last for decades.

Look & Feel
Now that you know the benefits, let's explore a few tile looks. In the image on the far left, this porcelain tile has an aged wood appearance in warm brown tones. By carrying the tile from the home's interior to the patio, it seamlessly blends the two, creating a chic space.

In the middle image, luxury vinyl tile in deep chocolate tones has a wood-grain that gives it a realistic look. The matte finish is scuff-, stain and scratch-resistant, so it's great for high-traffic spaces.

Our final LVT flooring image is a porcelain tile that has a painted, distressed wood look. With its textured surface and matte finish, it would work well in coastal or cottage core interiors. This tile can also be used on the wall, so try it on shower walls, fireplaces and kitchen backsplashes. This tile is also suitable for outdoor spots such as patios and pools.

More Info
Compare vinyl tile vs. ceramic tile.
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The best way to achieve the rustic flooring aesthetic is by using real wood. There are a couple of different types: engineered hardwood flooring and hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring has a real hardwood top layer. It looks and feels like solid wood flooring. Hardwood flooring is solid wood. Let's explore the benefits of each.

Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

• Due to its layered construction, it can reduce and expand with temperature and humidity fluctuations in a way that solid hardwood can't.
• There are multiple ways to install it including: glue-down, nail-down, floating floor, stapled or click-lock. Click-lock systems are simpler, requiring less labor.
• There's a wide range of styles, widths, finishes and textures to choose from.
• If you purchase engineered flooring with a thicker wear layer, it can usually be sanded or refinished.
• Engineered hardwood floors are good for resale value.
• It's generally less expensive than hardwood flooring.

Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

• Hardwood flooring offers a classic look that complements many styles including traditional, transitional, modern, farmhouse, industrial and more.
• If properly maintained, hardwood flooring can last for decades.
• Restore the finish and remove dents and scratches by refinishing your hardwoods.
• Hardwood flooring is considered a premium feature and can improve resale value.
• The patina and natural variations in hardwood flooring are incomparable. Each plank has distinctive patterns, knots and color variations.
• Hardwood flooring is available in a wide array of species, finishes and surface textures.
• This flooring is very durable and works well in living rooms, dining areas, hallways and bedrooms.
• It's easy to clean. Simply sweep and vacuum.

Look & Feel
In the image on the left, a living room gets an elegant update with this French oak engineered hardwood flooring. The planks are distressed using saw marks. Hand-rolled edges and multi-width planks enhance the visual appeal. This flooring can be installed with a click-lock system, which requires less labor than a traditional hardwood floor.

In the middle image, this distressed solid hardwood flooring is called Burnt Pine. With its warm tones and distinctive grain patterns, it would work well in a rustic cabin or an industrial loft. This hardwood flooring also comes in hickory, white oak and red oak with widths between 3 and 5-1/8-inches.

Add warmth and rustic appeal to your home with this solid hardwood flooring in pine (right image). It's wire brushed to enhance the wood's texture and grain pattern. This flooring would work well in coastal, cottage core and Scandinavian-inspired spaces. Choose between staple or nail-down installation.

More Info
Learn the differences between engineered and hardwood flooring.
Select the right flooring for your home.
Install an engineered hardwood flooring.