What are faux wood /wood look pavers?

Wood look porcelain pavers or faux wood pavers are man-made paving and decking materials designed to mimic the appearance of natural wood, exhibiting features that make natural wood so appealing, while eliminating the major issues and drawbacks of using wood as an exterior decking product. There is however a vast difference between the so called ‘faux’ wood look of different materials, as modern printing techniques used on porcelain pavers and some aluminum planks can express such realism that until you look closely, you wouldn’t realize the decking material was not natural wood.

What are the main faux wood decking products?

Porcelain pavers and planks
Composite wood
Aluminum planks with printed wood grain finish
Concrete pavers with a stamped and textured wood grain decorative finish

Why choose wood look pavers over natural wood?

The main reasons for choosing man-made or ‘faux’ timber-look outdoor pavers over natural wood is that manufactured products:

typically offer superior long-term durability
don’t deteriorate or change their visual appearance due to weather conditions or sunlight
generally offer non-combustibility,
are dimensionally stable in all weather conditions,
require less ongoing maintenance
eliminate concerns about destroying native forests.

Advantages of porcelain wood-effect decking

Fire resistant/non-combustible:
Porcelain pavers are completely non-combustible and can be combined with steel adjustable height pedestals to build totally non-combustible rooftop decks.

Decay and insect resistant:
Porcelain pavers are unaffected by even the most severe climatic conditions and can be used in all locations including coastal, desert, tropical and rainforest regions.

Highly durabe:
Porcelain pavers offer superior performance to any other natural wood or durable wood-look tiles including composite wood or similar materials.

Dimensional stable:
Unlike wood, porcelain pavers will not swell, twist, warp, split, or cup under any conditions.

Will not fade in direct sunlight:
Because the colors of porcelain pavers are baked in at extremely high temperatures, the pavers will not change color or fade over time. You won’t have some areas of a deck a silvery grey while other areas not exposed to sunlight retaining most of the original color of the wood.

Exceptionally stain resistant:
Since porcelain is essentially non-porous, not only is it unaffected by submersion or constant contact with water, but it is highly resistant to staining. This includes the most common problematic liquids like coffee, wine, fruit juices and acids and also grease and oil.

Resists scratching and scuffing:
Porcelain is exceptionally dense and hard and thus is strongly resistant to scratching by sharp objects, chair legs and animals.

Environmentally sound:
The basic component of porcelain pavers is clay and apart from energy used in the manufacturing process, porcelain pavers offer a much more eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor material option than harvesting of trees from native forests. They also avoid the use of preservative chemicals that are often used to prolong the life of decking produced with certain timber species.

Lower ongoing maintenance & easy to clean:
Virtually no maintenance is required with porcelain pavers apart from washing from time to time with mild soap and water. In contrast, natural wood decking generally requires treating with a preservative or decking oil about every 12 months to help preserve its life and appearance.

Mold, moss and mildew resistant:
Although mold and moss will not normally be a problem with porcelain pavers, it can easily be removed with power washing. On the other hand, moss and mold is much harder to remove from natural wood and can leave unsightly marks and increase the susceptibility to slipping if not promptly dealt with.

Free from splinters:
Wood decking around pools can often be problematic due to issues with splinters. No such problems occur with wood effect porcelain pavers.

Size options in wood look porcelain pavers

Thickness: Typically, wood look porcelain pavers and planks for decking are 2cm (¾”) thick but for heavy duty applications, some styles are available in 3cm thickness.

Slabs: The most common size of porcelain slabs in the Archatrak range is 24” x 24” but other sizes are available, with 24” x 48” being the largest size commonly available.

Planks: Plank style porcelain offers the most realistic alternative to natural wood decking with widths of 8”, 12” and 16” and lengths up to 48” being most commonly available.

Color/style options in wood look porcelain pavers

You can get wood effect porcelain pavers and planks that simulate most of the major wood species, including Oak, Ipe, Walnut, Cherry, Maple, Teak etc. Colors range from pale driftwood look to dark mahogany look. And you can choose from a straight grain look through to more complex interlocked grain with streaks, veins, pinholes and knots.

You can choose the look of newly cut lumber, weathered lumber or even driftwood. Some realistic wood grain pavers are available with a ribbed finish, others with a distinctive grain texture on the surface,

Some wood look porcelain pavers and planks will feature a single with ‘board’ while others will feature multiple boards on a single plank, either equal or unequal in width.

Some examples of colors from the Archatrak range of more than 20 wood look colors are shown below.

Installation options for wood look porcelain pavers

Wood effect porcelain pavers offer as many options as natural wood although the actual installation method will be somewhat different.

On-grade

Unlike natural wood which tends to decay when laid directly on the ground, wood effect porcelain pavers can be laid directly on sand or gravel beds or even laid among lawn and grassed areas. They can also be laid over existing concrete, either with mortar and grouted, or more simply can be laid over e.g. a patio supported by stackable rubber pads at each corner. The latter method has the advantage that the surface can be made perfectly level and water flows away freely under the pavers.

Elevated Rooftop decks and balconies

There are two options for laying porcelain planks and pavers on a rooftop.

With slabs and planks 16” or more in width, the pavers are laid over adjustable height pedestals. Most commonly, plastic pedestals are used, but for totally non-combustible decks, Archatrak’s ‘Incendio’ steel pedestals can be used which meet even the most stringent requirements for fire resistant decks.
With planks less than 16” wide, the planks are laid over a pedestal supported aluminum rail system. This provides optimum support for the pavers, greater stability, quicker installation and the most efficient use of the adjustable pedestal supports.

FAQs

How does composite wood compare with wood look porcelain?

Typically, composite wood is not scratch resistant, requires support bearers spaced at closer intervals than natural wood, is not non-combustible, can fade over time and can be subject to staining, particularly with oil and grease. It is also typically produced from petroleum products although it may contain a proportion of recycled materials. Composite wood pavers cannot come close to matching porcelain wood look pavers if you are seeking realistic wood grain pavers, although some capped composite wood pavers have a superior look to uncapped composite wood.

What are the cost differences between timber-look outdoor pavers and real wood?

Wood effect porcelain pavers may have a higher upfront cost than natural wood (depending on the wood species) but offer greater savings in the long run due to their low maintenance and long lifespan. There can also be savings in installation costs with pedestal supported porcelain pavers compared with the necessity to construct a support structure for wood planks.

Are wood look porcelain pavers more slip-resistant than natural wood?

Wood effect porcelain pavers come with textured surfaces to enhance grip, making them a safe outdoor flooring solution for wet areas such as patios and pool decks. Dry wood is also quite slip resistant but when wet or covered with moss, more care needs to be taken.

Are there any downsides in using wood look porcelain pavers?

Since porcelain is very dense but brittle material, it can be damaged by impact if heavy objects are dropped on the surface. For security, steel plates can be installed under the pavers with pedestal supported applications. With elevated decks, the potential for wind uplift should also be properly evaluated as the pavers are essentially ‘floating’ over the pedestals.

Conclusion

Wood-look or ‘faux’ wood porcelain pavers offer a durable, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly outdoor flooring solution to traditional wood decking. With their superior resistance to weather, fire, staining, and fading, these realistic wood grain pavers provide long-lasting beauty and functionality. Their realistic appearance, combined with easy installation options, makes them an exceptionally versatile option for various outdoor applications, from patios and pool decks to rooftop terraces. Although they may come with a higher initial cost, the long-term savings in maintenance and durability make wood effect porcelain pavers a smart investment for any outdoor project.