Vinyl vs Ceramic Tile: Which Flooring Material Is Better for Your Home?

Outlining the Differences: Vinyl vs. Ceramic Tile

Before you make a decision about which flooring to choose, you'll have to get acquainted with the qualities of each.

So, what exactly is vinyl flooring? 

In short, vinyl is a popular material used in sheet flooring. It's a very thin type of material that's made from PVC plastic. The flooring sheets usually have fiberglass or felt backing. The vinyl itself includes a printed layer on the top that mimics the look of natural wood grain or tiles. This top layer is then covered with a clear wear layer for protection and longevity. 

Vinyl tiles come in pre-cut squares and range from 9-18 inches in width. Today, there is also the option of composite tiles which include particles of stone dust to give them a more natural, realistic look and feel. 

Another option for vinyl flooring is luxury vinyl tiles, also called LVT. This material is far thicker than regular vinyl and the flooring units fit together with a click-lock system. You can find luxury vinyl in a few different forms, but the most popular include tile and plank form. 

Then there's the option of ceramic tiles. This flooring material originates from natural clays found in the earth, which is then combined with a number of other materials to form ceramic. It's then covered with a surface glaze and reinforced in a fire oven to harden the material. 



Today, you can find a myriad of tile variations, but the most popular has to be porcelain. This type of tile has a base of much finer clay and is reinforced at far higher temperatures than other tile variations. This makes porcelain tile very robust and hard-wearing.

Weighing Up Appearances

Obviously, a huge contributing factor when choosing between vinyl flooring and ceramic tile flooring is what they look like. Appearance makes all the difference, especially in key rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. 

Vinyl Appearance

So, it's worth noting that vinyl flooring just doesn't look like ceramic tile. It's easy to tell the two apart simply because they are very different materials. However, this doesn't mean that vinyl flooring is not appealing -- quite the opposite.



You are spoiled for choice when it comes to color, style, and texture with vinyl flooring. The best part about vinyl is that you can choose the ideal color to suit any room, and get creative with it, too. 

Ceramic Tile Appearance

While you also have a great amount of choice with ceramic tile, it's not as vast when compared to vinyl. However, nothing beats the quality of ceramic tile and the elegant, prestigious material that it is. 



You will pay a little more for ceramic tiling, but it's a long-wearing floor option that will stand the test of time, no matter the room. 

Comparing Water and Heat Resistance

If you are re-flooring a kitchen or bathroom, both vinyl or ceramic tile are a perfect choice. They are 100 percent waterproof and ideal for rooms with high levels of moisture. 

Vinyl Characteristics

Due to the fact that vinyl is a synthetic material, it's totally resistant to water damage. However, it's important to consider the type of vinyl flooring you opt for. For example, vinyl tiling is a little more vulnerable as moisture can seep between the tile cracks and damage the flooring underneath if not sealed correctly. 



Vinyl sheeting, on the other hand, solves this problem. When it comes to heat, vinyl is quite susceptible to intense amounts of heat. It can melt and scorch in the event of a home fire, for example. Otherwise, it can withstand fairly high temperatures. 

Ceramic Tile Characteristics

If there is one material that's impervious to moisture, it's ceramic tile. However, you must make sure that the space between your tiles is filled with grout seams, and then sealed to avoid water seepage to the floor below. 



Ceramic tile is also 100 percent resistant to heat damage of any kind due to the fact that it's re-inforced with heat when it's made. So, all in all, if you're looking for a material that won't budge when it comes to moisture and heat, ceramic tile is your go-to. 

Comparing Durability and Maintenance

Finally, you also want to look at how easy each material is to clean and whether the investment is worthwhile in the long run, i.e. how long will each type of flooring last? 

When it comes to vinyl tile, you have an average lifespan of a decade with normal, everyday use. It's a robust and hard-wearing material, but it's still relatively soft and will weather over time. 

This means it's also vulnerable to scratches and gouging over time, but vinyl tiles are easy to replace if needs be. Vinyl is also low-maintenance and easy to clean. You don't need any fancy products to keep it clean, just a good sweep and mop with warm water and mild soap solution every week or so. 

When comparing ceramic tile, this material definitely takes the award for durability. You can expect your tile flooring to last an average of 40 years with normal, day-to-day use. Tiles are also pretty easy to pull up and replace if they're ever cracked or chipped throughout their lifetime. 

However, they do require a little more maintenance. In terms of cleaning, all they need is a good sweep and mop with warm water and regular detergent. But tile grouting needs some attention as it can become dirty and stained with mildew over time. 



You want to remove grouting every few years or so and reseal your tiles. 

Eagle Flooring West Are Your Go-To Installation Experts 

So, now that you know a little more about vinyl vs. ceramic tile flooring, you need to think about the type of room you plan to re-floor and which would work better for that room. If you're completely stumped as to which material to choose, Eagle Flooring West is here to help. 

Get in touch with us for expert advice on how to choose your flooring, as well as top-quality installation services!