Key Takeaways
- Both vinyl and ceramic tile can be suitable for moisture-prone areas when installed correctly.
- Both vinyl tile can mimic natural flooring types, while ceramic lets you create intricate patterns and designs.
- Ceramic tile is more scratch-resistant, but the flexibility of vinyl allows it to absorb impacts without cracking.
- While some types of vinyl tile can last up to 30 years, ceramic tile has a potential of lasting 50 years or more.
- There are DIY options for vinyl and ceramic, but glue-down vinyl tile and many ceramic tile installations are best for pros.
- Some vinyl tile requires a smooth, level subfloor, while ceramic tile requires a subfloor that’s rigid and stable.
- Standard vinyl tile is a comparatively inexpensive purchase, but LVT and ceramic tile have similar price ranges.
- Vinyl tile in general is easier to clean and maintain since there’s no grout to clean and repair.
What’s Vinyl Tile?
Vinyl tile is made of synthetic materials that in general offer durability, flexibility and resilience. Vinyl tile can mimic the looks of other flooring, such as stone, marble and even wood. Good water resistance makes a properly installed vinyl tile floor suitable for moisture-prone areas.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is made of a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) backing layer, a core layer, a décor layer and a comparatively thick wear layer that protects against scratches and foot traffic. This wear layer gives LVT better durability than standard vinyl tile
Standard Vinyl Tile
Standard vinyl tile has a backing layer, a PVC layer that includes the color or design, and a wear layer. Standard vinyl tile is typically thinner and less rigid than LVT. While it’s a more economical option, it doesn’t have the wear resistance of LVT or the design options.
Polyvinyl Chloride Tile
Since both types of vinyl tile include polyvinyl chloride, you might hear them referred to as PVC tile. However, another type of polyvinyl chloride tile is designed for use as wall tile. PVC wall tile is an alternative to ceramic, porcelain, stone and glass tile. You can also find polyvinyl chloride garage floor tile.
What’s Ceramic Tile?
Ceramic tile is made of natural clay hardened by heat to create a durable, long-lasting flooring option. Ceramic tile is also long-lasting, stain-resistant, easy to maintain and suitable for damp or wet areas.
Vinyl Tile or Ceramic Tile: Which Is Right for You?
Below are the key differences between vinyl and ceramic tile. Use these general tips to help guide your selection but pay attention to the specific specifications and requirements for the flooring you’re considering.
Installation Location
- Vinyl Tile: Moisture resistance typically makes vinyl tile suitable for installation in kitchens, bathrooms and, depending on the moisture level, basements.
- Ceramic Tile: Resistance to moisture, stains and scratches make ceramic tile good for kitchens, bathrooms, showers and entryways.
Look for slip resistance when selecting flooring for kitchens and bathrooms.
Appearance
- Vinyl Tile: Vinyl designs can offer the appearance of wood, natural tile, glass and stone, while including matte, glossy and textured finishes that offer different style options.
- Ceramic Tile: Ceramic tile has a classic look and offers a variety of colors, styles and textures that allow nearly endless options for patterns.
Durability
- Vinyl Tile: The durability and scratch resistance of vinyl tile depends on the wear layer, with luxury vinyl tile offering a thicker wear layer than standard vinyl for more resistance to foot traffic.
- Ceramic Tile: The hardness of ceramic makes this tile more scratch-resistant than vinyl tile, but it’s also more brittle and vulnerable to cracking under impact.
Longevity
- Vinyl Tile: In general, vinyl tile can last between 15 and 30 years, with LVT typically having a longer lifespan than standard vinyl tile.
- Ceramic Tile: The durability of ceramic tile can give it a lifespan between 30 and 50 years or even longer.
Water Resistance
- Vinyl Tile: Vinyl tile itself is water-resistant, but in some cases the seams between the tiles and, if not sealed properly, seams at the perimeter can allow water underneath the flooring.
- Ceramic Tile: Glazed ceramic tile is also water-resistant, but unglazed tile and the grout in a tile installation are vulnerable to moisture if not sealed properly.
Installation
Vinyl Tile: Interlocking tile and peel-and-stick tile are relatively easy to install, but installing glue-down tile is a more complex project and often best for a pro.
Ceramic Tile: While installing ceramic tile can be suitable for a do-it-yourself project, the necessity for mortar, grout and a very rigid subfloor makes it a bigger project than vinyl tile installations.
Vinyl tile might require underlayment, depending on the type and subfloor, but you can find some options with the underlayment built in. With some installations, a vapor barrier is necessary.
Subfloor
- Vinyl Tile: Some vinyl tile requires a smooth, level subfloor to prevent imperfections from showing through the vinyl.
- Ceramic Tile: The subfloor for ceramic tile needs to be stable and rigid to reduce the risk of cracking.
Cost
- Vinyl Tile: Standard vinyl tile is typically less expensive per square foot than ceramic tile, but the purchase price range of LVT can be comparable to that of tile.
- Ceramic Tile: While ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tile have similar price ranges, ceramic usually has a higher installation cost.
Keep in mind, with any type of flooring, pricing can vary widely between basic and high-end options.
Maintenance
- Vinyl Tile: Vinyl tile is easy to maintain, typically requiring just a mop and a suitable vinyl floor cleaner, but it’s more likely to show wear over time.
- Ceramic Tile: While the surfaces of ceramic tile is easy to wipe or mop clean and the colors are long-lasting, keeping the grout in good shape requires scrubbing and, in some cases, repair.
Choosing Between Vinyl Tile and Ceramic Tile
Compare the benefits and considerations of vinyl and ceramic tile to find the best option for your home. Whether you want the long-lasting durability of ceramic tile or the easy maintenance of vinyl tile, you can find your flooring on Lowes.com. Not sure whether vinyl or ceramic tile is right for you? Stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Red Vest associate. They can show you samples of different options, match a flooring type to your home and help you set up professional installation.
FAQs on Choosing Vinyl or Ceramic Tile
Use the answers to these questions to find a flooring type that fits your space and lifestyle.
What’s the Difference Between Vinyl and Ceramic Tile?
Vinyl tile is synthetic, flexible and suitable for moisture-prone areas due to its good water resistance. Ceramic tile, made from fired natural clay, is harder and tends to be more durable, though it’s vulnerable to cracking. Peel-and-stick and interlocking vinyl tile offer relatively simple installation. Ceramic tile installation is more complex, requiring a very stable subfloor, as well as mortar and grout. Standard tile is a comparatively inexpensive option, while luxury vinyl tile and ceramic tile have similar price ranges.
Is Vinyl Tile or Ceramic Tile Better for Bathrooms and Kitchens?
Both flooring types can work in a bathroom or kitchen with proper installation. Both offer water resistance and good durability, so the decision is largely based on priorities. Some types of vinyl can be less expensive than tile, and some offer easy DIY installation. Vinyl feels warmer underfoot — a consideration for bathrooms — but some types aren’t suitable for underfloor heating. Tile tends to be more durable and have more longevity. It often works with underfloor heating in a bathroom, but without heating it can feel cold to the touch. Tile might require professional installation.
Can Vinyl Tile Be Installed Over Ceramic Tile?
In general, you can install vinyl tile over a ceramic tile floor as long as the floor is smooth and in good condition. Repair any damaged grout and use floor patching or leveling compound to raise the height of the grout lines so they’re even with the ceramic tile. Any unevenness might be visible through the vinyl over time. Finally, clean the ceramic floor thoroughly. As with any flooring installation, check the vinyl tile manufacturer’s specifications to ensure the flooring is suitable for the application and follow the installation instructions.