Your wife insists you should have vinyl flooring at your home. But your friends are advising you to go with ceramic tiles. Both the flooring solutions look stunning. The price of both floorings comes under your budget. Vinyl flooring vs ceramic tile- it is now a huge dilemma for you!
I have been in the real estate business for the last 20 years. I have both the vinyl flooring and the ceramic tiles flooring in my house in different areas. I believe I can help you to decide between the two very popular flooring systems of today.
In this article, I will present an in-depth comparison between vinyl flooring and ceramic flooring. I will examine all the advantages and disadvantages of the two flooring systems, specifying their rightful use for a specific situation.
Vinyl Flooring vs Ceramic Tile: Who Is The Ultimate Winner?
Vinyl floors are made with synthetic chemicals. Whereas, natural sand, clay, and water are used to make ceramic tiles. But this cannot be the singular reason to choose ceramic tiles over vinyl flooring. We will now judge the two flooring solutions considering some relevant criteria.
| CRITERION | VINYL FLOORING | CERAMIC TILE | WINNER |
| Design & Style | Can be printed by digital printers. Indefinite choice of color and design of patterns. | Stunning colors and designs. Can be painted for amazing designs. Shiny look. | Ceramic Tile |
| Price | The average cost in the USA: $600 to $1400 for 200 sq. ft. Less expensive while buying and installing. | Prices vary for the difference in durability and quality. Costs from $800 to $1600 for every 200 sq. ft. | Vinyl Flooring |
| Installation | Can easily be installed. Produces little mess while installation. | Needs professionals to install. Prep of installation can be messy. | Vinyl Flooring |
| Comfort | Not comfortable for walking. Feels cold in winter. Can be made softer with cork or plywood underneath. | Harder and colder than vinyl floors. Can be made warm with a radiant floor heating system. | Vinyl Flooring |
| Maintenance | Dusting and cleaning are easy. Usable in a moist environment if sealing is not broken. | Easier to clean. The sealing of ceramic is less prone to break. | Ceramic Tile |
| Reaction To Weather | Good for any weather until the sealing is unbroken. Lose color, if exposed to strong sunlight. | Adjust well in hot, humid dry, and cold weather. Do not lose color by direct sunlight. | Ceramic Tile |
| Durability | Good for high traffic spaces. Can be ripped out and become pale. Not as durable as ceramic tiles are. | Much more durable. Lasts more than 40 years. Can be replaced separately. Need to be resealed regularly. | Ceramic Tile |
| Value Addition | Installing vinyl floors does not add any value either. Never considered a tool of investment. | The value of a house increases significantly by installing ceramic tile floors. ROI can be 200%. | Ceramic Tile |
| Impact On Environment | Vinyl floors emit harmful chemicals and gas. Partially responsible for global warming and holes in the ozone layer. Not biodegradable. | Ingredients are completely natural. Never release any toxic chemical or gas. Easily biodegradable and recyclable. | Ceramic Tile |
| Impact On Health | Release PVC and many other gases, known to be harmful to the human body. Proven to be a cause of cancer. | Never release any chemical or gas that is harmful to our body | Ceramic Tile |
And The Ultimate Winner Is:
The above comparison puts ceramic tile much ahead of vinyl flooring in most of the criteria. But the low cost of vinyl flooring may make them a good choice for many. Because money can be the most powerful criterion to decide on an expenditure.
Vinyl Flooring VS Ceramic Tile: A Detailed Comparison
Now, let us do comprehensive analysis in detail between the two flooring solutions- vinyl flooring and carpet flooring:
- Design & Style:
The patterns of vinyl floors are printed in a digital machine. That means what can be designed in a computer, can become a design for vinyl floorings. This is a great advantage for the flooring system so far fashionability is concerned.
Only imagination is the limit. That is why many state-of-the-art designers prefer vinyl flooring.
A ceramic tile can also come in stunning colors or designs. Moreover, they can be painted to be extensively artistic. Compared to vinyl flooring, ceramic tiles have got an extra shine to allure your eyes.
- Price Range:
In the USA, the national average price of good quality vinyl flooring is between $600 to $2,000 for 200 sq. ft. Categorically, flooring with vinyl sheets, planks, or stripes is always less expensive than ceramic tiles. The cost of installation is also lower than that of ceramic tiles.
You can find ceramic tiles at a large range of prices. The reason is the variation of durability and quality. A good quality ceramic tile flooring will cost you from $800 to $1600 to cover each 200 sq. ft. of the floor.
- Installation:
Vinyl floors are easily installed with a few skills and tools. They are quite friendly with DIY. Other than the health risks of harmful chemicals released by vinyl, its installation can be finished without any injury by any ordinary person.
On the other hand, installing ceramic tiles is a serious job done by serious professionals. Heavy types of machinery are involved in the installation process. A lot of dust and other types of wastes are created while the installation of ceramic tiles floors.
- Comfort Level:
Floors made of vinyl sheets, planks, or stripes have never been famous for providing comfort to the users. Walking on vinyl floors can be tiresome. The reason is their hardness. People do not like to walk on vinyl floors in winter. They feel too cool for feet. Some vinyl floor users wear sleepers or warm soaks. Some others make the vinyl floors more tolerable in winter by setting a layer of foam or cork beneath them.
Due to the chemical structure, ceramic tiles are harder than a vinyl plank, sheet, or stripe. They are harder too. Running on them can make your feet aching. A reasonable solution to the coolness of a ceramic floor in the winter is installing a radiant floor heating system.
- Maintenance:
Compared to other types of flooring solutions, both vinyl and ceramic tiles are easy to clean. They can be swept and mopped with a damp cloth without any side effects. A regular mild cleaning agent is enough to shine the two types of flooring.
Vinyl floors are non-porous and fluids cannot go through them if the sealing is not broken. However, they get scratches and grooves very easily. They are very vulnerable to the movements of heavy furniture. Since they can rarely be repaired partially, you need to redo the whole flooring.
Easy maintenance is always a selling point for ceramic tiles. They can be cleaned and shined very easily. Removing hard stains from ceramic tiles is comparatively easier than doing that in vinyl flooring. A damaged ceramic tile can easily be replaced with a new one without taking off the good tiles.
The major complaint against ceramic tile floors is the hard-to-clean grout lines in between two tiles. Eventually, the sealing is destroyed by the grouts. Rigorous scrubbing with bleaching powder is the solution to this annoying problem.
- Adaptation With Weather:
Both vinyl floors and ceramic tiles do not absorb moisture from the air. This feature has been a blessing to their users from different climate zones. But vinyl floors get discolored by long-time direct sunlight. Ceramic tiles do not react to the sun.
In hot, humid weather ceramic tile floors bring more comfort to the users than vinyl floors. Ceramic floors remain cool even on the hottest day.
- Durability:
Compared to ceramic tile floors, vinyl flooring is not a durable flooring solution. They tend to be ripped out, scratched, and scuffled all the time. With scratches here and there, a vinyl flooring solution has to be replaced in total, much earlier than they are advertised to last. They are claimed to last from 10 to 20 years.
You can bet on ceramic tiles if durability is the concern. Generally, ceramic tile flooring can be used for more than 40 years, without any major investment.
The fact that any particular damaged ceramic tile can be replaced separately, is a clear reason for its high durability. Though they need to be resealed after every few years, the cost for that is very minimal.
- Value Addition:
Installing vinyl floors does not add any value to your house. Due to less durability of vinyl planks, sheets, or stripes, none considers this type of flooring as a means of investment in the real estate world.
On the other hand, ceramic tiles are a blessing so far value addition is concerned. The value of a house increases significantly after installing ceramic tile flooring. Real estate experts say if vinyl sheet flooring is replaced with ceramic tiles, the return on investment can be around 200 %.
- Eco-Friendliness:
All kinds of vinyl flooring are made from synthetic materials. These synthetic materials are made from harmful chemicals. That is why the production of vinyl products releases plenty of different harmful gases in the environment.
Vinyl planks, sheets, or stripes continue to release harmful gases throughout their lifecycle. The gases are partially responsible for global warming and holes in the ozone layer – the two biggest challenges of the environment of the world.
On the contrary, all the elements used to make ceramic tiles are completely natural. Water, sand, and clay are the main elements of a ceramic tile. So, ceramic tiles are never harmful to the environment by any means. It never releases any toxic chemical or gas into the environment like vinyl flooring.
Ceramic tiles are easily biodegradable and recyclable. Whereas, vinyl products are non-biodegradable and thus a threat to the environment. So, what do you think about whether vinyl flooring is bad for the environment?
- Health Impact:
The harmful chemicals and gases that vinyl floors release include Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is proven to be one of the major causes of cancer. So, health experts always forbid the use of vinyl flooring. Most vinyl floors have asbestos as the adhesive. They are also a known carcinogen. So, repairing a vinyl floor is very risky for health.
On top of that, using vinyl flooring as house flooring has been linked to an imbalance of mental and physical growth of a child. So, if you are a health-cautious person you will always try to avoid using vinyl flooring.
So far, there has been no discovery of negative impacts on your health by using ceramic tiles. Unlike vinyl flooring, they never release any chemical or gas which is harmful to our body.
Commonly Asked Questions On Vinyl Floors And Ceramic Tile:
Between Vinyl Flooring And Ceramic Tile Which is Warmer?
Both vinyl flooring and ceramic tiles are cold compared to other types of flooring solutions. Between the two floorings, vinyl flooring is warmer. But you can make ceramic tile flooring warm too. For that, you have to install a radiant floor heating system.
On the other hand, vinyl flooring can be warmer if foam or cork are laid under them.
Which flooring option offers a wider range of design options?
Vinyl flooring offers more design options than ceramic tile when it comes to design options. Vinyl flooring comes in an extensive variety of colors, patterns, and textures, including options that mimic the appearance of wood, stone, and other natural materials. It also allows for creative installation patterns such as herringbone or chevron. Ceramic tile offers a range of colors, shapes, and sizes, but it may not provide the same level of versatility and replication of different materials that vinyl flooring does.
Which flooring option is easier to install, vinyl flooring, or ceramic tile?
Vinyl flooring is generally easier to install compared to ceramic tile. Vinyl flooring often comes in convenient click-and-lock or peel-and-stick formats, making it a suitable option for DIY installation. It can be installed over various subfloors, including existing flooring, without the need for extensive preparation. On the other hand, ceramic tile installation requires more expertise, as it involves properly preparing the subfloor, applying mortar or adhesive, and ensuring precise placement and leveling of the tiles. It may be best to hire a professional for ceramic tile installation to achieve the desired results.
Which flooring option is more cost-effective?
In terms of cost-effectiveness, vinyl flooring tends to be more budget-friendly compared to ceramic tile. Vinyl flooring is generally less expensive to purchase and install, especially when considering the cost of materials and labor. Moreover, vinyl flooring requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements or repairs. Ceramic tile, while durable and long-lasting, can be more expensive due to the cost of the tiles themselves, as well as the additional costs of installation materials, labor, and potential maintenance and repair expenses.
Does Replacing Vinyl Floors With Ceramic Tile Add Value To A House?
In the real estate business vinyl flooring is not valued much. Replacing them with almost any other flooring solution will add some value. On the other hand, ceramic tiles are famous for their durability. Ceramic tiles last more than 40 years. That is why they are considered a good investment.
Replacing a vinyl sheet flooring with a ceramic tile floor will ensure around a 200% return on investment (ROI).
Does Replacing Ceramic Tiles With Vinyl Flooring Add Value To A House?
No value will be added to your house if you replace your ceramic tile floors with vinyl flooring. You may lose value by doing that. Because, due to the vulnerability of vinyl floors, they are considered valueless in the real estate business, so far the return on investment is concerned.
Between Vinyl Flooring and Ceramic, Which One Is Better For Bedrooms?
If you judge vinyl flooring and ceramic tile flooring from the point of view of health, definitely ceramic tile flooring is better for a bedroom. We spend a long time in the bedroom every day. The harmful gases which are discharged by vinyl flooring get into our bodies while we breathe.
Ceramic floors are made from natural components and never release any harmful gas. So, they are a better decision for a bedroom than a vinyl floor. Besides, in hot weather ceramic tiles will keep your bedroom cool and save your body from diseases caused by extreme heat. By the way, vinyl flooring can be a much better option for your living room.
Vinyl Or Ceramic: What Type Of Flooring Is Good For Basements?
Many think ceramic tiles are a great decision for basement floors. Because ceramics are waterproof and durable and can be installed directly on a concrete floor. You can also use vinyl flooring for your basement if the environment is not too humid.
However, if your basement has a high volume of traffic with intense weight, you should choose neither vinyl flooring nor ceramic tiles. Vinyl floors can get scratches easily and ceramic tiles may break with heavy and frequent movements. By clicking here, you see some best vinyl flooring ideas for basements.
Vinyl Or Ceramic: Which Is Cheaper To Install?
Vinyl flooring is always cheaper than ceramic tile flooring. The installation cost for vinyl flooring is also lower than that of ceramic tile flooring. You can cover a 200 sq. ft. area with fairly good quality vinyl flooring for around $1000.
Whereas, the same area can be covered with ceramic tile flooring by spending around $1600. Also, there is a solid installation cost for ceramic flooring, that could be avoided with vinyl flooring, if you install it yourself.
Bottom Line:
Now you have detailed information on vinyl flooring vs ceramic tile. It should be easier for you now to make the right decision about your future flooring. I bet it will also be easier to convince other members of your family about your decision if you can properly use the information noted in this article.
You may also want to read:
How Long Does Vinyl Planks Last?
Reading your article and seeing how affordable vinyl flooring is was really helpful. I can see that as something that we can really use a lot of when renovating this place as a way to stay within our budget as much as possible. I’ll go and ask a vinyl flooring expert to assist us with getting a supply to work with.