Wood-look tiles: the differences between the variants

on Nov 10, 2026

in Tiles & Flooring, DIY Guides & Building Tips

Wood-look tiles: the differences between the variants

Short answer: wood-look tiles are ceramic tiles with the look of a wooden floor, but without the drawbacks of wood. They are water-resistant, scratch-resistant, easy to clean and very well suited to underfloor heating. The differences between the variants are mainly in the size, finish and colour, and whether the tile is rectified. In this guide you will learn which wood-look tile suits your room and what to watch for when laying it.

Read this article in Dutch as well: Houtlook tegels: dit zijn de verschillen tussen de varianten.

What are wood-look tiles?

Wood-look tiles (also called wood-effect tiles or ceramic parquet) are ceramic or porcelain tiles with a print and texture that resemble wood. You see grain, knots and colour variation, just like real planks. Because they are ceramic, you can use them where wood is difficult: in the bathroom, the kitchen, the hallway and on underfloor heating. See also our buying guide for ceramic tiles for a general explanation of choosing tiles.

Shower wall with plank-format wood-look tiles and a glass shower door

The differences between the variants

Size

Wood-look tiles are usually narrow and long, so they look like planks. At Saniso you will find, among others:

narrow planks of 18 x 60 cm, such as Baskora Wood Natural 18 x 60 and Dance Wood Beige 18 x 60, which work well in smaller rooms;
tiles of 30 x 60 cm, such as Boseli Wood Beige 30 x 60, for a calmer look;
long planks of 20 x 120 cm, such as Grand Wood Natural Beige 20 x 120, Grand Wood Prime Grey 20 x 120 and Beauty Forest Beige 20 x 120 rectified, for the most realistic wood effect.

The longer the plank, the more realistic the effect, but the higher the demands on the substrate. Read more in our blog on laying large-format tiles.

Rectified or not

A rectified tile (rect) is ground to an exact size after firing. This allows a narrower joint, which strengthens the plank effect. A non-rectified tile has a slightly softer edge and usually needs a somewhat wider joint.

Finish and texture

Matt and textured gives the most natural wood look and is often less slippery. Glossy wood-look tiles, such as Alaya Wood glossy 20 x 60 for walls, give a sleeker and lighter effect. For floors in wet rooms, preferably choose a matt, textured tile. Always check the slip resistance in the product information.

Colour

From white and grey to natural, oak beige and dark brown. Light colours, such as Alpine Wood White 18 x 60, make a small room look bigger. Warm brown shades, such as Grand Wood Rustic Brown 20 x 120, give a classic look. A wood-look floor combines well with calm grey or white wall tiles.

Variant	Typical size	Suitable for	Watch out
Narrow plank	18 x 60 cm	small bathroom, toilet, hallway	many joints, choose a calm grout colour
Wide tile	30 x 60 cm	walls and floors, calm look	less plank effect
Long plank	20 x 120 cm	living room, kitchen, large bathroom	flat substrate and good adhesive needed
Glossy	20 x 60 cm	walls	not intended as a floor tile in the shower

Laying wood-look tiles: what to watch for

Flat substrate. Long tiles only look good on a flat floor. Check the substrate first, see our blog on assessing the substrate before tiling, and level where needed.
Laying pattern. Preferably do not lay long planks in a half (50 per cent) offset. A slight bow in the middle of the tile then causes height differences. An offset of no more than one third of the tile length is usually safer. Always follow the manufacturer's advice.
Mix tiles from different boxes. Wood-look tiles deliberately have different prints. Mix tiles from several boxes so you do not see repetition.
Adhesive. Use a flexible tile adhesive suitable for porcelain and larger formats, such as Kerakoll H40 tile adhesive. With long tiles, apply adhesive to both the floor and the back of the tile. Adhesive classes are explained in our explanation of tile adhesive C1, C2, S1 and S2.
Levelling system. With a tile levelling system and separate levelling wedges you pull the edges of the planks level while the adhesive cures.
Grout. Choose a narrow joint in a colour that matches the tile, for example Kerakoll Fugabella Eco Porcelana 0-5. Tips on colour are in our blog on choosing the right grout colour.

💡 Dry-lay the first row and look from a distance to check whether the distribution of colours and grain looks right. Avoid laying a plank with a striking knot next to another striking plank.

Wood-look tiles and underfloor heating

Ceramic conducts heat well. That makes wood-look tiles one of the best choices over underfloor heating, better than many wooden floors. Do let the underfloor heating reach temperature according to the heating-up protocol before tiling, and use an adhesive and grout suitable for heated floors.

Working safely

Cutting and grinding ceramic tiles releases fine quartz dust. Preferably cut wet or with dust extraction and wear an FFP3 dust mask. Read more in our blog on dust and quartz on site. Also wear:

work gloves with nitrile coating against cement and sharp edges;
safety goggles when cutting and breaking;
knee pads for floor work;
earplugs when using an angle grinder or tile saw.

Tips for the cutting itself are in our blog on cutting tiles. A handy Raimondi Kompass tile cutter and a Raimondi notched trowel with the right notch size make the work much easier.

DIY or a professional?

A small room with 18 x 60 cm tiles is quite doable for an experienced DIYer. With long 120 cm planks, a large floor, underfloor heating or a bathroom with a fall towards the shower, it is a different story. Calling in a professional is never unnecessary. A tiler sees immediately whether the floor is flat enough, chooses the right laying pattern and prevents height differences that you would otherwise see every day.

👷 In doubt about the substrate, the laying pattern or the waterproofing in the bathroom? Have a tiler take a look. Are you a professional and do you need larger quantities for a project? Saniso is a wholesaler and also supplies large quantities; get in touch for advice.

Frequently asked questions

Are wood-look tiles slippery?

That depends on the finish. Matt, textured tiles are usually less slippery than glossy ones. For bathrooms and kitchens, always check the slip resistance.