Choosing Between Tile and Vinyl Floors

Tile flooring or ceramic flooring is the most common type of flooring that has been around for centuries. Homes, offices and commercial or public places all around the world have largely used it and still do so. Vinyl is a relatively recent development and although it has not spread massively all around the world just as yet still countries like US and some other developed nations have warmed up to the idea. Here we shall take a look at tile which is also known as ceramic flooring owing to the ceramic compound that tiles and vinyl are made of. Tile flooring is a little costlier than vinyl flooring. The starting range of both floors can be almost the same but if you choose to use tile flooring of a bit better quality and variance then you may end up spending much more than vinyl flooring. Both have equally variable options. You can choose exotic tiles and there are exclusive and unique vinyl designs as well. The price shoots higher in such cases with tiles but with vinyl flooring, even if you opt for the best ones in the market still you would spend less. Tile requires a cement mixture to be applied to fix them in place. Vinyl can be applied by one using the adhesive that is already present at the back of it. Tile cannot be done by yourself while vinyl flooring is easy if you have a hand or two to help you. Vinyl flooring is less durable than tile flooring. It is not only more prone to wear and tear but they also run for a lesser time than tile flooring. Ceramic can last for decades. It is not uncommon to find fifty year old tile unbroken, un-chipped and without a scratch. Vinyl flooring can be easily chipped or peeled. Expensive vinyl may be more robust and be able to handle more foot pressure and wear and tear but they are still nowhere close to the durability and longevity of tile. They are both very easy to maintain. Tile floors can take any common cleaning methods and so would vinyl floors. However, some types of vinyl may be prone to quicker wear and tear with harsh chemicals which is not a problem with tile floors.