Taking a look at the both materials to see which is the right choice for your bathroom.

When it comes to areas of the home that are subject to moisture, the flooring needs to be suitable. Some would argue the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house, take a moment and just think if we still had outhouses…

See what I mean?

So when it comes to bathroom flooring, there are really only 2 options to pick from. Ceramic Tile or Vinyl Tile. Carpet, Wood and even Laminate are out because they are horrible materials for water resistance. By the process of elimination that leaves Ceramic and Vinyl. In this article I want to better inform you and highlight some of the pros and cons of each, from moisture resistance to the return on your investment.

Ceramic Tile

The heavy hitter and the most common choice for bathrooms, Ceramic Tile is a material that is timeless and durable.

From being resilient, waterproof and available in a variety of colors and designs, Ceramic is typically also less expensive then other hard surface options (Natural stone, marble, etc.). The main benefactor being Ceramic can withstand still water puddles without taking damage, making them GREAT for showers. 

Tile isn’t without its flaws, however. Some cons homeowners are most often turned off by are tile is a hard surface so it is sometimes called “Hard on the feet” “Cold” and “sterile”. While true that standing on tile for extended periods is uncomfortable , that’s true for any hard surface. As for temperature, yes tile is cold this however, can be remedied with any radiant flooring system. Finally as for sterile, This is a good thing! Being a material that does not easily absorb water makes ceramic highly hygienic and easy to clean!

The only real drawback to tile is that it can be slippery when wet, and bathrooms are usually known for being wet. This is not specific to ceramic tile, however. This is true of many hard surface options. Ceramic tiles are often baked to a smooth finish, people often think of them as more slippery than other surfaces. For tile flooring, especially in a shower, find a tile with a textured surface for safety.

As for the return on investments, A well-maintained ceramic tile floor will almost always have more prestige and greater real estate value than vinyl tile flooring. With proper care and maintenance a ceramic tile floor will stay looking new and always yield higher for resale. 

Vinyl

While vinyl tile is often designed to look like ceramic tile, the illusion is rarely very convincing; I mean, you can tell the difference. However, vinyl tile does come in a huge array of colors and styles. From a pure design view, you will have every choice you could possibly want.  

Scratch resistant, Waterproof, comfortable and affordable, Vinyl is a versatile flooring option for any room, not just the bathroom. 

I’m going to cop out here, G2 actually has written a whole blog dedicated to Vinyl being used in the bathroom! You can read all the finer details here: https://g2homeservices.com/blog/are-vinyl-plank-floors-right-for-your-bathroom/ 

I will summarize below, but I really dive into the nitty gritty of Vinyl being used in your bathroom in that blog. 

Vinyl Pros

Comfortable

Affordable 

Water resistance

Easy to maintain

Vinyl is one of the best surfaces to use if Tile is out of your budget or if Tile is just not fitting the theme you are looking to design! It stays warm, We all know those cold winter mornings can be rough stepping out of the shower. Vinyl Tile is coated to remain water resistant so no need to worry if water will ruin the floors, it will not if maintained.

Finally its super easy to keep clean! All you need is some soap and water, no special cleaning solution or grout lines to worry about.

Vinyl Cons

Minimal investment Return (Compared to Ceramic)

Shorter lifespan

While A ceramic tile can have a lifespan of up to 40 years in a home (if properly maintained), Vinyl usually need replacement after 12-15 years. Now that is nothing to scoff at, but that lifespan can be increased with PROPER MAINTENANCE. Seriously how many times do I need to stress this? Even a little care a few times a week goes a LONG ways to the longevity of your floors. Finally the return on your investment for Vinyl tile is minimal. While having a nice aesthetic, it’s not enough when compared to the real material. 

In Conclusion 

The pros and cons of each are pretty balancing. For comfort and affordability Vinyl Tile is the way to go. For a classic style and a return on your investment, Ceramic reigns supreme. In the end of the day it all comes down to what you and your designer think best fits your home and your budget, but in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with either.