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When it comes to choosing the perfect flooring for your home or residential properties, the options seem endless.
Among the popular choices, vinyl flooring and tile flooring stand out as two versatile contenders among homeowners, developers, contractors and project managers in New Zealand.
In this blog post, we will compare these flooring options to help you make an informed decision on your flooring selection.
From durability to aesthetics, we'll delve into the key factors that can influence your choice between vinyl and tile flooring.
Durability
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring is renowned for its durability. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture. With the right care, vinyl floors can maintain their pristine appearance for many years, making them an excellent choice for homes, apartments, studios, flats and other residential spaces.
Tile Flooring:
Tile flooring is equally durable and can last for decades when properly maintained. However, it may be more prone to chipping or cracking if heavy objects are dropped on it. While tiles are highly resistant to moisture, the grout lines between them may require deeper cleaning, regrouting, and occasional sealing to prevent water penetration. Grout joints can be a problematic pain point in tile floors, if preparation or installation is not up to standard.
Lifespan
Both vinyl and tile flooring have impressive lifespans, often exceeding 20 years. Your choice may depend on factors like personal preference and the specific demands of your space.
Cost
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring is generally more budget-friendly than tile. It offers an affordable option that doesn't compromise on quality. This cost-effective choice makes vinyl a preferred option for those looking to achieve a stunning look without breaking the bank. Vinyl installation is considerably cheaper than tile flooring.
Tile Flooring:
Tile flooring tends to be more expensive upfront due to the cost of materials and installation. Though the square metre price range of tile ranges dramatically from budget to luxury.
Aesthetics
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring has come a long way in terms of aesthetics. Today, it can mimic the look of seemingly limitless materials, including tile, hardwood, stone, and natural stone. Vinyl offers a wide range of styles, patterns, and textures, allowing you to achieve the desired aesthetic for your space. It's a versatile option that can match any décor.
Tile Flooring:
Tile flooring exudes a classic and timeless charm. It offers a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and patterns, allowing for endless design possibilities. Whether you prefer the sleek look of porcelain or the rustic appeal of ceramic, tile offers a high-end aesthetic that can enhance the overall appeal of your space. One of the key design aspects of tile, nor good nor bad, is the presence of grout lines, which are often still visible to the eye, even when the grout colour has been matched.
Maintenance
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring is very low maintenance. It is easy to clean with regular sweeping and occasional mopping. The smooth and level nature of Vinyl flooring makes it easier to clean than tile, due to the proneness for grime and dust accumulation in the tile grout lines.
Tile Flooring:
Tile flooring requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep its appearance intact. Although easy to sweep and mop, grout lines can be susceptible to staining and may need periodic sealing. While tile is durable, it can be more demanding in terms of upkeep.
Comfort
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring excels in providing a comfortable underfoot experience. When you step onto vinyl floors, you'll immediately notice the cushioned sensation it offers. This quality can transform any room into a haven of relaxation. Vinyl's soft and yielding surface makes it especially welcoming for those who value comfort in their living spaces.
Tiles:
Tile flooring offers coolness, which can be a relief in warm climates, which is maybe not such a priority in the cooler climates of Auckland and New Zealand in general. Besides being easy-to-clean properties, tile flooring is very hard on the feet and more prone to breaking items in cases of falls.
Acoustics
Vinyl Flooring:
Vinyl flooring is known for its sound-absorbing properties. It has a cushioned surface that helps reduce noise levels within a room. When you walk on vinyl flooring, it dampens the sound of footsteps, making it a quieter option compared to hard surfaces like tile. This makes vinyl a preferred choice for areas where noise control is important, such as homes with children, apartments, or commercial spaces with high foot traffic. Vinyl's ability to absorb and minimise sound contributes to a more peaceful and acoustically comfortable environment.
Tile Flooring:
Tile flooring, on the other hand, tends to be less effective at sound absorption due to its hard and non-cushioned surface. While footsteps don’t produce noticeable noise, echoes and sound reflection can be a concern in spaces where noise reduction is a priority. However, tile's acoustic performance can be improved with the use of rugs, mats, or acoustic underlayments. These additional materials can help mitigate sound transmission, but they may not achieve the same level of noise reduction as vinyl flooring inherently provides.
Conclusion
In the comparison between Vinyl Flooring vs. Tile Flooring, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Your choice between vinyl and tile should be based on your individual needs, budget, aesthetic preferences and geographical climate.
Vinyl flooring offers affordability, comfort, and versatility, while tile flooring boasts timeless elegance and durability.
Whichever you choose, KR Flooring is here to provide you with professional vinyl flooring installation services and a wide range of options to suit your flooring needs in Auckland, New Zealand.
Whether you're drawn to the warm embrace of vinyl or the enduring beauty of tile, make your decision wisely, and enjoy your flooring investment for years to come.
Ready to transform your space with the beauty of tile look vinyl flooring?
Explore KR Flooring's exquisite range of tile-look vinyl planks and discover the perfect blend of style and durability for your home or office.