Decorative Floor Coatings: Comparing Wood Look, Stone Look, and Washed Finishes

So you’re considering your floors? Good on you. Whether you are a business owner looking to attract new business, upgrade your garage, or aim for a luxurious look without the cost, decorative epoxy flooring is likely what you’re searching for.

Here’s the deal: going into that decision blind is a one-way ticket to regret. There’s the wood look, the stone look, and then the washed finishes to choose from, and they will all give you entirely different vibes. Let me unpack what each offers.

Why Decorative Epoxy Flooring is Booming in Perth

Are hard and natural flooring options, such as timber and stone, beautiful but high-maintenance and expensive? While beautiful, hard, and natural flooring such as timber and stone is high-maintenance, expensive, and not always weatherproof for Perth or able to withstand inner-city traffic.

Decorative epoxy changed the game. That premium look—with industrial-grade toughness. We’re talking spill resistant, UV stable and designed to last decades. And installation is faster than you might expect.

But what finish do you choose? That’s where things get intriguing.

Wood-Look Epoxy Flooring: Warmth Without the Worry

Wood feels right to me. It is warm and inviting, and it adds an organic element to rooms that might otherwise feel cold or clinical. The only downside: Real wood floors can be a hassle to maintain, especially in high-traffic zones or moist areas.

How is wood-look epoxy different?

Wood-look epoxy flooring is essentially all the aesthetic appeal of real wood, with none of the maintenance issues! Skilled applicators form realistic wood grain patterns using a specialised application method, which includes various classic oak planks and weathered deck boards.

You can also change the finish. Want a high-gloss showroom look? Done. Maybe you want something with a more matte, natural look? Also possible. The flexibility can also be quite impressive.

Where Wood-Look Finishes Work Best

I’ve watched wood grain epoxy create wonderful effects in spaces that timber never could:

Showrooms: Boutique look with no wear from moving displays.
Office reception areas: Professional appearance that supports rolling chairs without wear.
Home garages: Complement your home’s style and provide a place for generally dropping oil and tools.
Outdoor spaces: UV-stable and resistant to the weather, as opposed to real wood, which fades and warps.

PM Industries relies on special stencilling to produce authentic plank lines and grain patterns – there’s actual artistry at work.

The Downsides? There Aren’t Many

ADVERTISEMENT “Look, I’m going to just be honest with you. This applies only if you are trying to deceive a timber expert who is standing just two inches away from your floor. Up close, you can see it is not real wood. However, at a normal viewing distance, it may not be discernible. You’re not likely to taste the difference.

The other thing is that wood-look finishes usually require a clear topcoat to preserve the pattern. This increases both the installation time and cost, but it remains significantly lower than what you would pay for genuine timber flooring.

Stone Look Flooring: Industrial Elegance

The stone look also, in some cases, has an underlying sophistication with a little raw edge to it that the wood look just doesn’t have. Think polished concrete vibes, but with personality and without any cracks.

How Stone Look Achieves the Natural Texture

Creating a realistic wood-effect floor is different from making a stone floor, isn’t it? When we say “building up”, we mean creating depth in layers, where stencils may be used to apply stone patterns that sometimes have a texture you can feel.

The colour palette here is a little earthier—greys and tans and slate blues. But you can also turn up the volume with darker stones or even patterns that look like marble.

Perfect Applications for Stone Look

Stone finishes sparkle (sometimes quite literally) in such settings:

Current commercial settings: Provides an industrial-chic look.
Warehouse conversions: Marries industrial and cosy to excellent effect.
Restaurant floors: Heavy-duty with visual interest.
Patios and outdoor entertaining: A natural stone vibe for alfresco spaces.

Texturing is available from “sleek and shiny” to a “slip-resistant” finish, in patterns from subtle stone to bold cobblestone looks.

What to Watch Out For

Wear patterns on stone can frequently be more pronounced than wear patterns for other finishes, particularly in areas of heavy traffic. This doesn’t mean they’re less durable; traffic paths may take time to appear.

Furthermore, if you have warm design elements in your space, some stone looks can feel a bit too chilly or industrial. It really depends on the general scheme you are working with.

Washed Finishes: The Modern Minimalist’s Dream

Washed-look floors are having a moment, and I understand why. The washed-look floors have an effortless, natural edge that feels contemporary rather than merely trendy. Call it the concrete aesthetic, but elevated and intentional.

Creating the Washed Effect

The washed finish leaves subtle colour nuances and motions on the floor. Special application techniques achieve this effect by layering colours over each other, resulting in a soft, worn look.

Whereas wood or stone looks like an attempt to replicate a particular material, washed finishes are more abstract. It is more about colour and texture, adding layers, than trying to make something look like something else.

Where Washed Looks Really Deliver

I have identified the finishes I want to wash in the following areas:

Modern homes: noteworthy but low-key in open-plan living spaces.
Boutique retailing: A neutral stage that allows products to shine.
Offices: Professional and timeless but not outdated.
Cafes and hospitality: Relaxed, beachy feel without the upkeep.

Choose one of our trendy grey hues or relax on the warmer side with cream, soft green or coastal blue-grey.

Things to Consider

Washed finishes are perhaps the most personal of the three. What seems totally fashionable to one may be far too plain for someone else. If you love a strong, clear pattern (bold plaid is your jam), a washed finish could come off as just too subtle.

The app also requires a discerning eye to identify items that will be useful and appreciated. Given that you’re dealing with nuances, not patterns as such, the proficiency of the applicator really counts. This is where collaborating with numerous professionals proves beneficial.

Making Your Choice: What Actually Matters

Well, then you have three viable choices. How do you actually decide?

Think About Your Space’s Purpose

Be realistic about daily use. A retail showroom has different needs than a mechanic’s shop. The wood look is my preferred choice for appearance; however, I am uncertain about the impact of heavy machinery and chemical spills. The durability of the stone appearance adds up.

The new epoxy equipment also complies with environmental regulations. EPA guidelines for flooring are designed to cover indoor air quality and VOC emissions issues that may be applicable in any commercial or residential setting.

Consider Your Design Direction

Consider your walls, fixtures and furniture. What are you working with? Wood looks warm and adds classic charm. The stone look is the modern, industrial twist. Washed finishes offer flexibility in design, yet they are perceived as modern.

Factor in Maintenance Reality

All three offerings require little maintenance as compared to what their natural counterparts require, but there are distinctions.

Dust stands out with a high-gloss wood look. A textured stone look may require more regular cleaning in dirt-prone areas. Washed finishes tend to mask wear best.

Don’t Underestimate Lighting

I want to emphasise this point again: view samples in your actual space and under the lighting conditions you will use. Fluorescent warehouse lighting will make these finishes look vastly different than natural light that comes through your windows.

The Application Process Matters As Much As the Product

Here’s something people usually forget: the workmanship you choose for your decorative floor coating is just as important as the materials. And if you need a convincing woodgrain or realistic stone grain, it takes skill, knowledge and actual artistic talent to pull it off.

At PM Industries, we have been specifically dealing with decorative floor coatings in Perth for many years. They’re able to develop custom finishes that change, merge and finish spaces – whether you need commercial flooring to handle heavy foot traffic or residential solutions that bring your design vision to life.

Cost Analysis: What You’re Really Paying For

Decorative epoxy floors are initially pricier than typical epoxy and less costly than the genuine materials they seek to replicate. Wood finishes typically have a mid-range appearance, while stone patterns vary in complexity, and washed finishes typically have a lower cost.

Here’s the actual payback: decades of service without maintenance expenses. The best epoxy systems are impervious to chemicals, impact, and abrasion that humans cannot create.

Standards from ASTM International validate the performance specifications. No refinishing, resealing, or replacing damaged areas. Include total cost of ownership, and decorative epoxy is economical.

Getting Started With Your Project

Ready to move forward? PM Industries can guide you through the entire line of decorative floor coatings, give you examples, and help you decide what finish is best for your space. From commercial to residential and industrial projects across Perth.

Call 0436 837 699 or enquire online to discuss your project. To save time and avoid making costly mistakes, get the expertise early.

Making the Right Call

Choosing between faux wood epoxy floors, stone-look flooring, and washed looks depends on the characteristics of your space, your preferred design style, and how you use the room. There isn’t some objectively “best” solution, just one that works for what you need.

The best of all worlds, decorative epoxy floor coatings offer high-end looks with industrial strength. You’re in it for the long haul, and something will look good and wear well for years to come.

Allow yourself some time to make this decision. See examples, ask questions, and work with people who have done it before. Your floor is too vital to entrust to just anyone.