When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, plenty of factors come into play. Sure, the aesthetics are important, but that's hardly the only consideration. How much does it cost? What are your installation options? Is it the right floor for your room's specifications?
This guide delves into the pros and cons of tile versus laminate flooring and how to decide which is the right one for building your dream home or remodeling your current one.
Tile
Tile is hard to define precisely since there are many varieties of tile flooring. Homeowners have the choice of porcelain, slate, ceramic, natural stone, or even wooden-looking tiles to add some character to their house.
Pros of Tile
If you plan on getting ceramic or porcelain tile, it’s usually possible to find options that range from $1-$5 per square foot. Depending on your taste in tile, that might end up being cheaper than laminate flooring. Despite that, tile often increases your home's resale value, regardless of the type of tile. As long as it looks nice, you might end up giving your house a facelift that other homebuyers can really appreciate.
Another benefit of tile is that it is hands-down your best option for bathrooms. The tile is completely waterproof, so if your kids like to splash around or you'll be bathing the dog once in a while, tile is the right way to go. It's also extremely durable and can easily deal with high foot-traffic areas without denting or cracking.
Tile is so durable that it can last many decades, meaning that you'll likely never have to replace it for any reason other than redecorating. Don’t be afraid to pull those tap shoes out of the closet and put on a performance for your kids, worry-free. However, if something does happen and one of your tiles is chipped or cracked, it's easy to replace the single tile. You'll likely have some tiles left over from the installation that will come in handy in the event that you need to replace one.
Plus, tile is super easy to clean and care for. Simply scrub it down or mop it without worrying about the excess water damaging the floor and leave it as fresh and clean as the day you installed it.
Cons of Tile
Depending on the tile you choose, it can get pricey pretty quickly. Some of the higher-end tiles can run you around $13 per square foot without accounting for the cost of installation. And you will likely have to pay that cost since tile is difficult to install and generally requires a professional. It might cost a few thousand dollars, depending on the tiled area's size, since the work is so challenging. If you're a DIYer, tile flooring may not be the right choice.
People often don't often put tile throughout their house because it's often very cold to walk on. Many people prefer to walk around their house barefoot, and tile is a cold and hard surface. That might be okay for dogs and cats, but people tend to prefer softer surfaces or ones with a little bit of flexibility to add some bounce to their steps.
Tile is generally easy to care for, but it needs to have the grout resealed every so often. Most people do this about once a year, although, in less frequently used bathrooms, you might be able to do it every other year.
Laminate
Laminate flooring often mimics solid hardwood flooring's appearance, meaning that the planks are designed to be normal wood colors with subtle grains in the middle. Laminate flooring has a wooden fiber core to facilitate those who are looking for hardwood aesthetics without paying the expense. However, laminate flooring isn't just about mimicking wood anymore. In recent years, laminate flooring has become capable of looking like tile and stone flooring as well.
Pros of Laminate
Laminate flooring is extremely durable due to the three layers involved in its construction. The core layer, made of high-density fiberboard, helps the planks withstand life's daily wear and tear. That core is what makes laminate flooring one of the best choices for families with pets and small children. In fact, it deals with heavy foot traffic so well that many companies install laminate flooring in their offices.
In addition to the core layer, laminate flooring has a backing layer to stabilize the plank. Some manufacturers also add a third layer to their laminate flooring; an underlayment. The underlayment helps attach the laminate to the subfloor and can simplify things for people who plan to install their flooring without a professional contractor. If you're an enterprising DIY person, you’ll want to ensure that your laminate flooring has an underlayment layer.
You have it easy when it comes to installing your laminate flooring if you choose to do it yourself. Laminate flooring comes with tongue-and-groove planks. As long as they include the underlayment, it’s easy to get started on laying them and clicking them into place. It's super easy to do and can be completed quickly in smaller rooms.
On top of all of that, laminate flooring is an economical choice. It generally costs $3-$8 per square foot. If you want to save your money to decorate the walls or buy some fabulous rugs, laminate flooring won't cost you an arm and a leg. You don't need a huge price tag for something that is made for your feet! When the kids come in with muddy shoes, or you run back in from the rain, you'll know that you don't have to worry about ruining the floors.
Laminate flooring is very hard to scratch or dent because of its stabilizing layers and a protective coating. So, even when life comes at you hard, laminate floors can withstand the test of time and keep going for many years. Plenty of vendors show demonstrations of just how resistant to moisture, staining, and fading laminate planks really are.
Laminate flooring does require cleaning, but it is minimal and easy to do. For people with busy schedules who can't spend all day polishing their floors, laminate is an excellent choice. That means you won't have to worry about reapplying varnish or waxing the floors on a regular basis. Your floors will just continue to look their best with little effort on your part.
Cons of Laminate
The drawbacks of laminate flooring are what you might expect from a less expensive flooring choice. The main con is that laminate flooring doesn't do much for your home's resale value. Homebuyers are typically looking for more expensive options to wow them, and laminate can be somewhat underwhelming, even if it works well. Plus, if anything does manage to damage part of your laminate floor, it's pretty difficult to repair.
A common misconception about laminate flooring is that it's waterproof. This is false! Laminate flooring is water-resistant, but too much moisture can still warp the boards and cause mold to start growing. You have more leeway than with solid hardwood, but it’s best never to leave liquid on your laminate flooring, either. However, outside of those three factors, laminate flooring is a fantastic choice for many homeowners.
In Summary
Now that you know all about laminate and tile flooring, it’s easy to figure out exactly what your home needs to rejuvenate it and add some fresh life to your house. With the right flooring, any house can be transformed into your dream home!
Sources:
Laminate vs Tile Flooring - Pros, Cons, Comparisons and Costs | Fixr
Laminate vs Tile Flooring | 2021 Comparison, Pros & Cons | Floor Critics
