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Tiles vs vinyl
Which is Best?
As the technology behind vinyl flooring develops, it becomes less and less distinguishable from the real product (in this case, tile). More often than not, vinyl performs better than tile.
To best illustrate the comparable characteristics of vinyl vs. tile, let’s look into five quantifiable qualities: Look & Style, Durability & Stability, Environmental Impact, Applications, and Cost.
Look & Style
Ceramic floors last forever. While that may sound like a selling point, as a style-conscious designer, you may see the flaw. Trends change quickly. However, if you have ceramic floors, changing with the trends just isn’t an option. Ceramic flooring is expensive, messy and time-consuming to install and remove. Conversely, vinyl flooring is easy to install and replace tile-by-tile. And with a vast selection of looks and styles, vinyl flooring that looks like ceramic is the best solution.
Cutting ceramic tiles requires expensive tools and skills resulting in costly hours for professionals. Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, can be cut easily with a straight edge and utility knife, and is not nearly as time-consuming to install. Any number of designs, including those that look like ceramic are possible with vinyl.
Durability & Stability
Before discussing the durability and stability of vinyl tile vs. ceramic tile, we should define the terms, as they seem similar.
Durability: Hardness of the flooring—especially its topmost wear layer. The more durable a flooring solution is, the more use it can take. Stability: Governed by the thickness of the whole and/or makeup of layers and quality of materials. Stable flooring material holds its shape and size against moisture and/or climatic changes.
Yes, tile, if taken care of, will essentially last forever. However, in the all too common event that it is damaged—tile is quite a hassle to repair. Although tile is a hard, durable material, many circumstances can cause significant damage. If tiles are not installed correctly (i.e. improperly set mortar or incorrect grouting) the grouting will fail and the tiles will separate, come loose and crack.
Ceramic’s strongest characteristic in this section is in its stability. Moisture and environmental changes will not affect the flooring. It will not expand or contract. However, the stability of ceramic is also its downfall. Because there is no flex or give in ceramic flooring, it is far more prone to cracks and other damages than vinyl flooring. While vinyl is extremely hard and durable—well suited for heavy commercial use—it has a degree of flex. This flex allows it to absorb and dissipate the force from some dropped heavy objects. Why take the risk of broken tiles when you can install vinyl flooring that looks like ceramic?
Environmental Impact
The impact of vinyl versus tile comes down to their lifecycles. The argument is simple. Due to the method of removing ceramic tiles (splitting), this type of flooring is not recyclable. To reuse ceramics, it would be necessary to remove every particle of grout – a process not worth anyone’s time. And even then, you’re left with broken pieces, good only for filler. Therefore, the tile is usually thrown into a landfill. In addition, removing the ceramic tile has a direct impact on the environment where it was placed. Thick clouds of toxic dust are harmful to breathe and nearly impossible to avoid.
Vinyl are normally recyclable and can be made from recycled material.
Applications
In the event that a tile becomes compromised, action must be taken right away. Jagged edges threaten trips or cuts, and allow moisture and other foreign material to move under and between tiles. But the cons to tile application do not end here.
Anyone who has ever installed or removed tile knows how messy it can be. No amount of plastic, fans or precautions will stop the dust from penetrating a work zone. The removal and installation take days, but the cleanup can take weeks. Even minor, one or two tile replacements require large hammers, chisels or power tools and the complicated mixing of and setting mortar and grout. Vinyl is just the opposite. Installing vinyl is a simple process; your professional installers will have no trouble quickly and efficiently installing the flooring. Removing vinyl flooring is an even easier process.
As for the functional applications for both, there is little competition. Whether in a high-traffic commercial setting or high moisture area like a restaurant or supermarket, vinyl performs well. Vinyl that looks like ceramic is more comfortable to walk on, unlike ceramic. Ease of installation, removal, repair, easy cleaning, more reliable durability, and a wider range of looks and design options make vinyl a no-brainer.
Cost
The prices of vinyl flooring vs. tile are comparable at some levels and quite unequal at others. Depending on the size, color and quality of the tiles, ceramic falls within and far above the price of vinyl.
With such high prices, you could say designers are buying ceramic for the high-end look and longevity. However, with the photographic technology and durable wear layer texture printing available to vinyl makers, vinyl that looks like ceramic is nearly indistinguishable from the real thing and can withstand extended use.
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