Vinyl plank flooring is a relatively new type of flooring that resembles real wood. Ceramic tiles are also a good option for flooring but in some cases vinyl planks are superior to ceramic tiles. Today, I will explain when it’s better to install vinyl planks rather than ceramic tiles and why.
As a general rule, if you live in a warm climate then install ceramic tile instead, and/or if you prefer the ceramic tile look. In almost every other case vinyl planks are superior, unless you don’t want the wood look that vinyl planks have. The benefits of vinyl planks are explained below.
Vinyl planks are easier to install than ceramic tiles, they are more comfortable underfoot, and have all the benefits that ceramic tiles have such as being water proof, and long lasting. Below, I will provide a cost breakdown, and when and why it makes sense to use vinyl plank flooring over ceramic tiles.
When to Use Vinyl Plank vs Ceramic Tile (Pros/Cons/Cost)
There are certain situations when it makes sense to use vinyl planks instead of ceramic tiles, and when it’s better to use ceramic tiles. They aren’t drastically different in price so typically choosing either one depends on these factors. So, here’s a summary of when it makes sense to use vinyl planks and when to use ceramic tiles instead.
As a general rule, vinyl planks are always a better option than ceramic tile. The two exceptions are if you live in a warm climate, or you prefer the look of ceramic tiles, over the wood look that vinyl planks have. Vinyl planks are cheaper, more comfortable, and warmer.
Vinyl planks also have the following benefits over ceramic tiles:
- They have a foam layer underneath for sound absorption
- They are softer to walk on the ceramic tiles
- They are faster to install
- They are cheaper for both the materials and the labor
- If you drop something heavy on them they won’t crack
They also have the same look as hardwood floors but provide more sound absorption than wood floors. In addition, they don’t have the loud sound that wood floors make if you walk on them with shoes.
Pros, Cons and Cost Comparison Between Ceramic Tile vs Vinyl Plank
Choosing the right type of flooring for a space is a matter of balancing what look you’re going for, the comfort and durability of the floor, and the price for the materials, and to install it. Ceramic tile and vinyl planks are too good flooring options, so here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how they compare based on price.
Overall, vinyl planks are 15% to 30% cheaper to install than ceramic tiles, for both the materials and the cost of labor. Vinyl planks are superior in every regard except if you like in a warm climate, or want the look of ceramic tiles, rather than the wood look that vinyl planks have.
Below, is a table with the average price for the materials, and labor to install ceramic tile compared to vinyl plank flooring. For both types of floor the subfloor needs to be prepared.
For both types of the flooring the subfloor should be level, flat, and smooth. But, for both vinyl plank and ceramic tiles the cost to prepare the subfloor is the same.
|
Cost |
Vinyl Planks (per sq foot) |
Ceramic Tiles (per sq foot) |
|
Materials |
$1 to $5 |
$3 to $15 |
|
Labor |
$1 to $16 |
$4 to $10 |
|
Preparing the subfloor |
$1 to $5 |
$1 to $5 |
|
Total |
$3 to $26 |
$8 to $30 |
If you are more used to working in square meters, or are outside the USA, then here are the price in square meters rather than square feet.
|
Cost |
Vinyl Planks (per sq meter) |
Ceramic Tiles (per sq meter) Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 25, 2022. |
|
Materials |
$10 to $50 |
$30 to $150 |
|
Labor |
$10 to $160 |
$40 to $100 |
|
Preparing the subfloor |
$10 to $50 |
$10 to $50 |
|
Total |
$30 to $260 |
$80 to $300 |
(source: Bob Vila)
From this info I calculated that the difference in price to install vinyl plank flooring is 15% to 30% cheaper than installing ceramic tiles. Because vinyl plank flooring has all the benefits of ceramic tile but also more additional benefits, it’s a no brainer to install vinyl plank flooring rather than ceramic tile, except for the two cases explained above regarding the climate, and the look of ceramic tiles.
What’s Different Between Vinyl Plank and Ceramic Tile
There are half a dozen different types of flooring that are used most commonly. Of these vinyl flooring such as vinyl plank flooring, and ceramic tile are quite common. But, here are the main differences between them.
Vinyl planks are more comfortable to walk on, warmer in cold weather, faster to install, and cheaper for the materials and labor. However, in warm climates ceramic is a better option because they will keep a room cooler. Ceramic tiles should also be used if you prefer the ceramic tile look.
Vinyl planks are made of vinyl which is a bit flexible. Whereas, ceramic is completely rigid, and quite a bit thicker than vinyl planks. If the climate where you live is always quite warm, such as a tropical State like Florida, then ceramic tiles, or other types of tiles are the way to go.
They absorb a lot of heat, and will keep a room cooler. Otherwise, vinyl planks are the way to go, because they have all the advantages of ceramic tiles but additional benefits as well. Such as being cheaper, more comfortable, more sound insulating, and warmer in winter.
When It’s Better to Use Vinyl Planks Rather Than Ceramic Tile
Vinyl planks have a range of advantages over ceramic tile. But, in certain cases it’s better to install ceramic tiles rather than vinyl planks. So, here is when it’s better to install vinyl planks instead of ceramic tiles.
Overall, when the climate the room is located in is temperate or cool, and when you have a preference for the wood look that vinyl planks have. Ceramic tiles are not very thermally conductive, and keep a hot room cooler. But, a cold room with ceramic tiles rather than vinyl planks takes longer to heat.
For these reasons if you live in a very hot climate, ceramic tiles are better because the room won’t get as hot. However, vinyl planks have all the advantages of ceramic tiles but are more comfortable to walk on, and are warmer in cold weather. If you have a design preference for the ceramic tile look rather than the wood look that vinyl planks have, then this can be an overwhelming deciding factor.
When It’s Better to Use Ceramic Tile Rather Than Vinyl Plank
In some cases it’s better to use ceramic tiles rather than vinyl plank. Even though vinyl planks have a range of advantages over ceramic tiles. Here is when it makes sense to use ceramic tiles rather than vinyl planks.
In general, ceramic tiles are better suited to hot climates, and when you want the tile look that ceramic tiles have. Ceramic tiles absorb a lot of heat, and take a lot of heat to warm up, as a result they keep a room cooler in hot weather than vinyl planks.
In some cases the temperatures will be very hot in summer, and very cold in winter. Therefore, vinyl planks are typically the best in these types of climates.
Due to the fact that they have a range of advantages of ceramic tiles. Provided you don’t have a strong preference for the look of ceramic tiles.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 25, 2022.
Overall, vinyl planks should be used in all cases except in hot climates, or if you have a strong preference for the look of ceramic tiles. Vinyl plank tiles have a range of advantages over ceramic tiles. Vinyl planks are more comfortable to walk on, and provide better insulation than ceramic tiles.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 25, 2022.