Looking to remodel the flooring of your home? Maybe you are even working on building your own home, either way, it's important to consider the pros and cons of each element you incorporate into the design and structure.
Tile and vinyl are popular flooring choices for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and more! Both offer the ability to create style and functionality. But how do you choose between vinyl flooring and tile?
Read on to find out more about tile vs. vinyl to help make the decision easier for you!
Pros of Tile
Tile is most often made from ceramic. Other materials may be used such as stone, cork, glass, marble, granite, or other materials.
Typically, the tiles are painted and glazed. Tile also requires mortar and grout to bond them together.
There are several advantages to installing tiles. After seeing some of these pros, you may wonder: is tile better than vinyl? Be sure to read on to see how these flooring options stack up.
Longevity
Tile takes the trophy when it comes to lifespan. As long as the flooring is taken care of, you can expect to get many many years out of this option.
For example, the Romans installed beautiful mosaic tiles all over Pompeii thousands of years ago that are still in pristine condition.
Appearance
One of the reasons why many people like vinyl is because you are able to easily replicate the appearance of real tile or wood. Of course, if you were to choose real ceramic tile, you would have the most pristine look of all.
Heat and Water ResistanceOne of the biggest reasons that ceramic tile has such a long lifespan is due to its resistance to heat and water. While it does have the ability to be damaged by water, if excessive moisture was to seep into the cracks, ceramic has a strong resistance to heat.
Variety
Ceramic has endless varieties to choose from. Shapes, size, and color variations make this flooring type incredibly customizable. You can find single tiles that are square, circular, rectangular, oval, and more.
In addition, you can find sheets of tile that come prearranged.
Home Value
Investing your money in the right places in your home can greatly help you in the future if you decide to sell. Many house hunters are only interested in real hardwood floors and tiles. This can add a lot to your home value and peak potential buyer interests.
Cons of Tile
While tile has quite a suite of advantages, it also has a few downfalls.
Hard to Remove and Repair
Installing tile can be quite the task and one you don't want to take on by yourself. It isn't necessarily a DIY project. Proper spacing, use of grout, and mortar can make it a tough home improvement.
You would certainly want to consider hiring a professional to install this for you. If done incorrectly, you can decrease the lifespan of the tile. Repairing is also a difficult feat.
Higher Costs
Ceramic tiles are typically a higher cost flooring type, depending on what options you decide to go with. Style and fashion are easily attainable but don't forget to keep your budget in mind when considering tile.
Not Recyclable
The tile removal process can be messy. Luckily a trained team of professionals can take care of this for you, but you'll likely need to throw away most of the materials when the removal is over.
Requires Thorough Cleaning
With all those grout lines, cleaning tile can be a daunting task. Scrubbing in those hard to reach areas can be tiring and add another long chore to your already long list.
Pros of Vinyl
Luxury vinyl flooring is a great alternative to tile flooring. The following advantages of vinyl flooring are only a few reasons why vinyl is a top choice for many homeowners. Remodelers and builders are opting for this option more and more.
Easy to Install
Vinyl flooring is incredibly easy to install. The process sometimes involves a simple glue to secure the tiles.
There is also a self-adhesive option that has become popular. Removing a layer of paper reveals the sticky glue to adhere to the floor. Snap-in flooring is an option as well.
Less Likely to Crack or Break
Cracks and creaks can be detrimental to tile flooring. The degree of cushion and flexibility that vinyl offers protects it from cracks and breaks.
Less Expensive
One of the best things about vinyl is its lower cost. There are so many styles to choose from that are affordable. Generally, you will find that vinyl is less expensive than tile.
Easy to Clean
Vinyl is much easier to clean. A simple sweep and mop are good enough to keep it clean. The lack of grout lines makes this a quick job on your list of chores.
Comfort
Rock-hard ceramic can be a bit uncomfortable to the barefoot. Vinyl offers a bit more cushion and give when it comes to comfort. Tile is also more likely to be cold in the cooler months while vinyl is not.
Style
There are tons of options when it comes to styling. Luxury vinyl flooring often lives up to the standards of tile. There are beautiful options available to match any of your interior design dreams!
Cons of Vinyl
There are a few disadvantages to consider when it comes to vinyl flooring. You should be aware of the following when making your decisions.
Use of Chemicals
Harsh chemicals are sometimes used to create vinyl flooring. It's important to be aware of what certifications your product boasts. We take this into consideration and provide you with accurate information about our products.
Short Lifespan
Vinyl can last for many years. This also depends on how well you take care of it. However, it often does not stack up to other flooring options when it comes to lifespan.
Less Home Value
When you spend less on your home improvements, you won't see the biggest return if you decide to sell later on. Some products are so well done that homebuyers don't care, but be aware of what you are changing in your home.
Tile vs Vinyl: Which One Will You Choose?
Now that you know the down-low on tile vs vinyl flooring, you can make the best decision for your home.
Looking for luxury vinyl flooring? Contact us to learn more about our quality products!
