If you’ve narrowed your flooring options down to a choice between tile and laminate, you’re already off to a great start! Both have their perks.
Now comes the real challenge – choosing the best one for your home. No pressure, right? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure it out.
Read on to learn how tile and laminate compare in cost, installation, water resistance, maintenance, durability, comfort, and style so you can confidently choose between tile and laminate flooring.
Cost & Installation: Which One Saves You Money?
Cost is one of the first things people think about when choosing between tile and laminate. Flooring is a big investment, so let’s see which one gives you more for your money.
Tile flooring looks amazing but comes with a much heftier price tag. Ceramic and porcelain tiles can be expensive, and paying a professional to install them adds even more to the cost.
Plus, installation takes longer than laminate. You need grout (more on that later), mortar, and careful cutting.
Doing it yourself? It ‘s not easy!
Laminate flooring is much cheaper and easier to install. Thanks to its click-lock system, even beginners can lay it down.
There’s no messy grout, no need for special tools, and you can do it in just a day or two.
Our strong and stylish laminate flooring gives you quality that’s perfect for just about any budget.
Cost/Installation Recap:
- Laminate costs less per square foot
- It’s super easy to install yourself
- It has no grout – no mess, no stress!
Waterproof Battle: Can Laminate Handle Spills?
Water is a big deal when it comes to flooring. Which one holds up better, tile or laminate?
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile flooring are often used in bathrooms and kitchens because, when properly sealed, it’s 100% waterproof.
But here’s the catch: grout.
Grout is the material that fills the gaps between each tile. It can soak up any liquid, so oil or spills from cooking cause it to stain, look grimy, or even become moldy over time.
Waterproof laminate flooring is the modern-day game changer in the world of laminate! It handles spills and humidity with ease and only struggles with spills that you don’t mop up. And unlike tile, it doesn’t have grout, which is prone to stains.
We recommend our TruCor range in rooms where you need a waterproof floor, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
This flooring is tough enough to handle playful pups with all their little accidents! Just be sure to address it as quickly as possible.
Waterproof Recap
- Waterproof laminate flooring is great for all areas in your home, including kitchens and bathrooms, handling moisture without grout issues.
- Tile can be expensive, and standard tiles need to be sealed for waterproofing.
- Tiles have the disadvantage of grout.
Maintenance & Durability: Which One Lasts Longer?
How many times have you bought something that seemed like a good idea but ended up being a hassle to look after?
Nobody wants flooring that’s a pain to clean. So, which one is easier to take care of in the long run?
Tile flooring is tough, scratch-resistant, and can last up to 50 years. The tiles themselves are easy to clean, but grout is a real trouble maker when it comes to convenience.
Grouting must be scrubbed and resealed every year. You will have to remove the old grout and apply fresh grout to maintain its appearance.
Laminate flooring won’t reach the 50-year mark, but the best laminate brands offer extended warranties.
Many laminate floors can last up to 25 years if you take care of them. Cleaning is as simple as an occasional sweep and mop – no fuss required!
Our Torlys Rivera range is scratch-resistant, ultra-durable, and backed by a warranty of up to 35 years.
Plus, with no grout to worry about, laminate flooring is a hassle-free choice for any home.
Maintenance/Durability Recap
- Tile lasts longer than laminate flooring.
- Tile is harder to clean because of the grout.
- Laminate is much easier to maintain, making it a better choice if you want to avoid the hassle of cleaning grout.
Comfort & Feel: Which One Feels Better Underfoot?
Most people love the feeling of taking off their shoes after a long day – nothing can beat that moment, right?
During the pandemic especially, most of us got used to this habit because we were more careful about germs.
But besides keeping things clean, walking barefoot has lots of health benefits. It can help strengthen your foot muscles and improve your balance. It can even help to keep your knees, hips, and spine healthy.
That’s another reason choosing the right floor matters – health is wealth!
Tile flooring is hard and cold, making it perfect for hot climates because it helps you stay cool. However, in cooler climates, it can feel ice cold, especially during the winter.
Tile is also tougher on your joints and gives a harder blow to small children or aging adults if they happen to fall.
Laminate flooring has a cushioning layer that makes it comfortable to walk on and safer for everybody.
It’s softer and warmer, so it’s much more comfortable to walk on all year round.
If you’re looking for a cozy feel at home, laminate is the better choice.
Our Rustic Country Oak feels just like real wood underfoot and is gentle on your feet and joints.
Luxury Vinyl Tile Vs. Laminate
We have discussed the cost, installation, durability, maintenance, comfort and feel of both tile and laminate.
Now let’s compare luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminate.
Like laminate, LVT is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Ceramic tiles are stiff and can crack when you drop something heavy enough. Once damaged, it’s often hard and expensive to fix.
This is where Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) comes in.
It’s a waterproof, tile-shaped, and super durable flooring option that looks just like real tile – but without the high cost and cold feel.
If you love the look of tile but want some of the same benefits of laminate, LVT is the perfect choice.
Read about how LVT compares to laminate.
LVT Vs. Laminate Recap
- Both LVT tiles and ceramic tiles last a long time, but LVT doesn’t crack.
- If a ceramic tile breaks, it’s expensive to replace.
- LVT is much easier to take care of
- LVT looks like tile but costs much less and feels warmer underfoot. Plus it costs much less!
Tile vs. Laminate: The Verdict
So now it’s time to answer the big question – which flooring is best for your home? Let’s sum it up:
Tile is great if you want a beautiful floor that offers 100% waterproof protection. Replacing the flooring around your hot tub or designing a home spa? It’s tile all the way.
Otherwise, laminate flooring gives you everything you need – style, durability, comfort and savings!
Plus, laminate allows you to keep the same flooring style throughout your home, making the spaces feel connected.
Why pay more for tile when laminate can do it all?
Still not sure? Our Panel Town flooring experts have been in the business since 1967 and we’d be happy to help – contact us today!
