Wood-look tiles are porcelain planks printed and textured to look like oak, walnut or weathered timber. They give a room the warmth of a wooden floor, but they don't swell, scratch, fade or need sanding and varnishing. That suits South African homes, where sun, damp, dogs and the odd leak are hard on real boards. Send one request with the area and the look you want, and suppliers and tilers near you quote directly. It is free, with no obligation.
Why planks suit South African homes
A real timber floor reacts to heat and humidity, and it marks easily under a dog's claws or a dragged chair. A plank tile is porcelain, so it shrugs off sunlight through a big window, a wet mop and a spilled drink. It also works in a kitchen, a bathroom or a garage conversion, where timber is a risk. The trade-off is that tile is harder and cooler underfoot, and it can echo more than timber.
Planks come from about 150 x 900 up to 200 x 1200 and 200 x 1600. Longer boards look more like real timber, but they need a very flat floor. Look for tiles with several different face prints in the box, since a repeated grain gives the trick away. For harder-wearing options see porcelain tiles.
Laying the pattern
The most common mistake is to start each row at half the plank, which puts every end joint in line with the next row but one. Long planks bow slightly, so the ends may not sit flush, and this shows as lippage. Stagger planks at about a third of the length instead. The offset hides the bow and gives the random look of real boards.
- Use a levelling clip system so edges sit flush along the length.
- Keep the joint narrow, 2 mm to 3 mm, and choose grout that matches the plank colour so the lines blend.
- Mix planks from several boxes as you lay, so the shade and grain spread evenly.
Herringbone planks cost more to lay and use 15% extra for cuts, but they give a striking floor. See tilers for finding someone who has done it.
Heat, flow and finishes
Wood-look porcelain works well with underfloor heating, which keeps the tile warm in winter. Tell the supplier early so the adhesive and the screed are suited to it. Because the same plank comes in a matt grip version rated R11, you can run one floor from the lounge through a sliding door onto a covered stoep for a continuous indoor-outdoor look. Choose the textured outdoor version for any area that gets wet, and add a fall of about 1:80 away from the house. For stoeps and decks see outdoor tiles.
What it costs
A rough 2026 guide is R180 to R650 per m² for wood-look tiles, with longer planks and rich textures at the top. Laying planks costs about R160 to R380 per m², and herringbone or very long boards cost more. Ask each supplier to quote the same plank size and finish, and to include adhesive, trims, delivery and the extra for cuts.
What to include in your request
- Area to tile in m² and the rooms
- Plank size and the timber colour you like
- Straight, staggered or herringbone lay
- Tiles only, laying only, or both
- Your suburb and when you need it done
Wood-Look Tiles for different projects
- Homeowners renovating: a warm timber look through the lounge and bedrooms without sanding or varnishing
- New builds and extensions: plank tiles for open-plan living, ordered from the plans in one batch
- Landlords and body corporates: scratch-proof plank floors that look good in photos and survive tenants and pets
- Guesthouses, hotels and restaurants: a timber look for guest rooms, lounges and restaurants that cleans quickly
- Shops, offices and showrooms: plank porcelain for boutiques, cafes and offices that want warmth and durability
- Schools, clinics and public buildings: hygienic, easy-wipe floors with a calm timber look for clinics and care homes
- Workshops, warehouses and gyms: rarely needed, though used in canteens and offices on industrial sites
- Patios, stoeps and pool areas: textured R11 planks for covered stoeps, decks and braai areas
Frequently asked questions
Do wood-look tiles look fake?
Are wood-look tiles cold or hard underfoot?
Can I use wood-look tiles outside?
How much extra should I order?
Wood-Look 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