Is Tile or Vinyl the Better Choice for Your Bathroom Renovation?
Planning a renovation allows you to upgrade everything from fixtures to wall color, choose new pieces that suit your style, and add functionality to the room. Along with aesthetics, you’ll need to consider appropriate materials, like durable, waterproof flooring, for your bathroom.
At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, we offer top-quality options and are experts in installing flooring to meet Orange County’s Residential Bathroom Remodel Requirements. Finding the best flooring for bathrooms doesn’t have to be a chore. In this article, we’ll explore tile vs. vinyl flooring and discuss the pros and cons of each to help you make a better-informed decision during your renovation.
The key considerations you’ll need to take into account when choosing between bathroom flooring options include the following:
Cost
Your budget is a big factor in the types of flooring you can choose from. At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, you can find many lower-cost options as well as luxury flooring. Qualifying customers can take advantage of our financing options, so you can get the floor you want now and pay for it in manageable installments.
Durability
There’s nothing more frustrating than flooring that wears down, peels up, or falls apart. At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, we only use high-quality, durable flooring that holds up well over time.
Maintenance Needs
Every material has pros and cons. We’ll discuss the maintenance needs for your flooring of choice, giving you all the information you need to make an informed decision before we proceed with installation.
Personal Preference
Sometimes, a flooring type just speaks to you. You might love the shine of a particular tile or the simplicity of a vinyl floor, or you may have a particular shade of blue in mind. At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, our stocked warehouses have almost any flooring you wish. Ask to see our options in our showroom.
Tile Flooring for Bathrooms: Pros and Cons
Tile flooring is a term for any hard flooring cut into tiles, including stone, glass, metal, clay, porcelain, or ceramic, with adhesive underneath and grout between tiles to hold them in place. It’s a sturdy flooring option with a classic, attractive look. Let’s explore the pros and cons of tile flooring.
Pros
- Durability: Tiles are long-lasting and withstand decades of foot traffic.
- Cleaning: It’s easy to sweep and mop tile floors to keep them clean.
- Water resistance: Tile floors are water-resistant or can be sealed to keep water out.
- Aesthetic appeal: You can find tile in almost any color, in various sizes and designs.
Cons
- Price: Tile flooring can be expensive, especially natural stone.
- Installation: Laying floor tiles is tedious and should be done by a professional for an even application, precise grout work, and proper subfloor preparation.
- Feel: Tile can feel cold on the feet, especially on rainy winter days.
- Grout maintenance: The grout between tiles requires extra cleaning. Otherwise, it looks grimy and may attract mildew.
Vinyl Flooring for Bathrooms: Pros and Cons
Vinyl flooring is made from flexible layers of synthetic materials and comes in large rolls or planks. At Hernandez Wholesale Flooring, we have vinyl flooring in a huge variety of colors and patterns.
Pros
- Affordability: Vinyl flooring is one of the most affordable materials for bathroom renovations.
- Comfortable foot feel: Stepping on a vinyl floor feels softer and warmer than other materials, making it more comfortable for barefoot walking.
- Cleaning: Vinyl is easy to wipe down, making it a low-maintenance option.
- Water resistance: Depending on the type of vinyl used and how it’s installed, vinyl flooring can be water-resistant or completely waterproof.
- Aesthetic appeal: Vinyl tile comes in a variety of styles, patterns, textures, and colors to suit any design style.
Cons
- Warping: Many types of vinyl are not heat resistant and will warp if placed near heat sources, such as radiators.
- Difficult to repair: If the flooring is scratched or damaged, it often needs to be completely replaced.
- Installation: Vinyl must be professionally installed to ensure quality water resistance.
- Seams: The spaces between vinyl planks are sometimes visible, and extra sealant may be required to keep water out.
Durability and Maintenance: Which Option Lasts Longer?
Both vinyl and tile are durable flooring for wet areas, but tile lasts significantly longer. Thanks to the firing process during production, vinyl has an average lifespan of 10-20 years, while tile is made to last 20-50 years or longer.
Vinyl, on the other hand, is easier to maintain but may become discolored in the sunlight and is easily dented or scratched by sharp edges and heavy appliances.
Waterproofing and Moisture Resistance: Which Flooring Holds Up Best?
Waterproof flooring for bathrooms is ideal, as there are always wet footprints, accidental splashes, and occasional plumbing issues that arise. Both tile and vinyl work well in damp environments and can be sealed, but certain vinyl flooring types are almost completely moisture-resistant and may be better at keeping water, stains, mold, and mildew at bay.
When selecting bathroom flooring, look for a slip-resistant material. Some types of glossy tiles become slippery when wet.
Aesthetic Appeal: Which Flooring Matches Your Style?
Of course, easy-to-clean bathroom flooring is important, but you also need to find flooring you’ll enjoy looking at for years to come. Consider your bathroom design, color, and pattern preference, and what type of floor will match your style.
Making the Right Flooring Choice for Your Bathroom
Choosing the right material for your bathroom floor is a nuanced decision based on your practical needs, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle. Trust the knowledgeable Hernandez Wholesale Flooring experts to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
Ready to get started? Contact us today at (323) 203-0376 or visit one of our showrooms in Commerce or Santa Ana to view our selection of tile and vinyl options. We speak English y se habla Español.