Tiles vs Vinyl Flooring

Choosing new flooring for the kitchen or bathroom can be difficult. Especially when you aren't familiar with the different materials such tile, vinyl, ceramic, etc. Anyone who is ready to install new flooring, or starting to compare tiles versus vinyl material, this article may help you make an informed decision. Here we will outline the benefits and drawbacks of each, and how you can ultimately decide on the flooring material which is most suitable for your home, based on your budget, as well as any additional factors you should consider before choosing.

Pros & Cons of Tiles

Ceramic tiles are durable, they are easy to maintain, and they are going to look good in most bathroom spaces. Ceramic is going to offer a nice appearance/texture, and finish, to help bring together any bathroom or kitchen you are decorating. It is superior in quality, and looks more luxurious when it is properly installed by a professional. Additionally, it is very easy to care for, clean, and to maintain.

Tiles are water resistant in most cases, and can be sealed easily so work well in any bathroom or kitchen. You can choose from various colours, designs, shapes and sizes, and you can have these custom installed, in order to fit in well with the rest of the decor in the space.

Tile, however, is more costly than vinyl. It is going to take longer to install and it is going to take longer to dry after installation. This means you can't use your bathroom for a few days, whereas with vinyl, it shouldn't take more than 1-day (possibly 2-days) when you hire the right contractor to install it in the space. Tiles are also more prone to damage if certain hard items were to fall on them, so this needs to be considered.

Although it is water resistant, it can become slippery quite easily, especially if you opt for a smooth or gloss finish, so this can cause somewhat of a dangerous aspect if you are not careful. Although it does look more elegant, and it is easier to care for in most instances, tiles are going to cost more than vinyl, and they will take a little longer to dry and settle.

Estimated Material Cost

Pros & Cons of Vinyl

Vinyl is another material you might be considering when installing new flooring in your bathroom or kitchen. Vinyl is easy to care for, it is very affordable, and if you are on a tight budget, it is a material which is typically a good choice for most homeowners.

Vinyl is very light, so it is easy to install and it does not take long to settle. In fact, within 1-day it is typically okay for you to walk upon. Vinyl also comes in many colours, textures and styles, so you can custom-tailor it to match perfectly with whatever bathroom or kitchen suite you have installed. It is slip-resistant, and is not prone to getting damaged easily.

Vinyl is a cheaper material option, so it does not look quite as luxurious as a tile finish especially glossier tiles which can really shine. It is light, and it can shift over time, as it does not settle as well as a tiling. Vinyl is also likely to show signs of wear and discolouration over time, so this can detract from the overall appearance, even if it is well taken care of and maintained. Vinyl is impervious of water damage, so it will resist water, but non-textured versions can become slippery when wet so you might want to consider this when using vinyl in the bathroom.

Ultimately, if you seek affordability and an easy to maintain flooring, vinyl is a great option. You do, however, have to account for the fact that it doesn't look quite as good as tiles or laminate, nor is it quite as hard wearing.

Estimated Material Cost

Let's Compare!