Are you considering redoing the flooring in your home or business to take its style in another direction? Or maybe you’re building a new home or business and want the latest and greatest flooring (that’s also going to give you the most bang for your buck). There are endless options out there, but two of the most commonly sought-after today are ceramic tile flooring and vinyl flooring. Dreamstone Orlando is here to walk you through the ins and outs of each so you can decide which is a better investment for your home or business.

We’ll be honest – in our opinion, tile flooring is superior to vinyl flooring. However, we don’t want you to just take our word for it. We’re breaking down the different aspects of tile flooring and vinyl flooring so you can make an educated decision on your own. 

What are ceramic tile flooring and vinyl tile flooring?

We’ll kick things off with the basics: what are ceramic tile flooring and vinyl flooring? Here’s the breakdown. 

Ceramic tile flooring is composed of ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles are made from natural materials, like clays, mixed with other materials. They’re fired in ovens and coated with a glaze before they’re installed to ensure durability and longevity.  Ceramic tile flooring is laid down by hand with mortar and then grouted.  

Vinyl flooring is composed of a thin, manmade product. It’s made from PVC plastic and typically has a felt or fiberglass layer on the bottom. It’s cut into squares and laid down in a dry install process, and doesn’t need grout. Luxury vinyl flooring is a thicker option that has click-lock joints and costs significantly more than standard vinyl flooring. 

So which is right for your Orlando home or business? Here’s what the experts at Dreamstone think. 

How vinyl flooring compares to tile flooring

Durability 

In the category of durability, ceramic tiles are the winner. 

• Vinyl flooring has a lifespan of about 10 years under normal use. It’s a resilient material, but it’s also at risk of scratches, gouges, and other damage. Replacing the vinyl flooring tiles isn’t too difficult; you just loosen the adhesive and pull the tile out. 

• Ceramic tile flooring, on the other hand, has a lifespan of 40+ years. Damaged tiles can be easily chipped out and replaced, and the tiles are more durable and less susceptible to gouges and scratches than vinyl flooring. 

Heat and water resistance 

When you’re looking for flooring, you want to ensure that it can endure both heat and water (especially if you’re tiling a bathroom or kitchen). In this category, ceramic tile flooring wins again. 

• Vinyl flooring is immune to water damage because it’s a synthetic material. However, it does have seams and water can seep down in between them, causing damage underneath. Vinyl also releases toxic gasses if it ignites in a home fire. 

• Ceramic tile flooring is impervious to water and as long as you keep the grout well-maintained, you shouldn’t have issues with water seeping under the tiles. Ceramic tile is also resistant to heat damage. 

Style 

Both of these types of flooring come in multiple shapes, colors, and designs… so we’re calling it a tie in this category. If appearance is important to you, you’ll have endless options no matter which one you choose. One caveat: vinyl flooring is produced to duplicate ceramic tile and you will be able to tell the difference. We’ll also note that ceramic tiles come in many more sizes than vinyl floor tiles. 

How easy is it to maintain and install these materials?

Maintenance and cleaning 

Both vinyl flooring and ceramic tile flooring are easy to clean and care for. Both can be easily swept and mopped. Ceramic tile grout does require a bit of elbow grease, though – you’ll want to scrub it routinely to ensure it doesn’t get dingy. 

Installation

If you’re going the DIY route with your flooring, vinyl flooring is an easier option. It’s applied with glue to the floor and there are even self-adhesive options. Ceramic tile flooring usually requires someone with a certain skill level – like Dreamstone Orlando – to install. However, you have to weigh out factors like durability and longevity. Is it worth it to DIY the project only to have to redo it a few years down the road? 

What home value do these materials offer?

Cost

Vinyl flooring wins in this category – it’s cheaper than ceramic tile flooring and you can install it yourself to cut down on costs. However, again, you get what you pay for. Ceramic tile flooring could last you 40+ years, while vinyl flooring will likely have to be replaced in 10 or less depending on how well it’s maintained.  

Resale Value 

You get more bang for your buck with ceramic tile flooring at the end of the day. Vinyl flooring is usually viewed as economy flooring and ceramic tile flooring has a higher return on investment and more real estate value for when you sell your home. 

Contact our Orlando flooring experts today for more info

Have more questions about vinyl flooring vs tile flooring? Want to get your Orlando home or business redesigned with a new floor? Call Dreamstone! Our Orlando tile installation experts are waiting for you. Contact them at (407) 677-5657 today, or email for more information at info@dreamstonefl.com.