Why So Many Homes Prefer Tile Flooring
Mostly hot, dry weather means sand and dirt travel indoors easily. That’s one of the primary reasons why houses even in modern times, opt for tile flooring, even when they have so many other options available to them such as carpeting. Also, carpeting absorbs heat and makes the room feel warmer. When it’s time to vacuum, it’s really difficult to get rid of dust and sand stuck in your carpeting. But sometimes, people use a combination of both. For instance, they may use carpet flooring in the rooms which do not have windows or other sources through which sunlight or dust could come in and use tiles in other rooms.
Tiles are also preferred because they help in keeping your house cool by reflecting the sunlight coming into the house instead of absorbing it.
Although many consumers around the globe use carpeting, tiles are preferred over any other type of flooring in hot, arid climates. Apart from the weather, there are many other reasons for that.
Tiles Flooring Choice
It’s quite an economic choice to make. Carpeting, wooden flooring or laminate flooring are more expensive when compared to tile flooring. Also, tile is very durable and requires fewer repairs as compared to others. Considering the time, effort and money needed for changing the flooring in your house occasionally, carpeting and wood flooring is an expensive hassle. Many agree it’s better to stick with the most durable option. In case of a tile breaks, it’s very easy to replace that particular block of tile with a new one.
Tiles also offer a lot of options, looks, and pattern possibilities. So if you want wooden flooring in your house but can’t install it because external factors do not support it, you can go for wooden tiles. These tiles give the perfect wooden look to your house. Along with that, it will cost you almost half of what it would have cost to install wood flooring.
Along with wooden patterns, tiles come in a lot of other patterns, varieties, and colors. When choosing tile flooring, you have the maximum number of options to choose from and can easily select flooring that you will love for years to come. Rental property managers can also find the durability and style that will endure through many tenants. Tile’s lasting value represents one of the most significant advantages of tile flooring over the others kinds of flooring.
Tiles are also very easy to maintain. So you don’t have to worry about staining them. Just wipe it with a wet cloth and you are done. For regular cleaning, damp mopping does the trick.
If you plan to sell your house or put it up for rent, then you are sure to get a better resale value for tile flooring houses instead of any other type of flooring. This is because the houses that use tile flooring are more attractive and durable.
Kitchens
Believe it or not, now hardwood is now the preferred flooring surface for kitchens. This is followed closely by tile. Hardwood is often preferred as it’s more in style, easier on your feet, makes space look larger and easier to clean.
Hardwood is often less expensive, too. You can read more about it in this article: Kitchen floors – hardwood vs. tile. But, either way, it should, if you are remodeling, hardwood or tile is the way to go w/ 90% of homeowners preferring one of these two surfaces (10% prefer laminate, vinyl, linoleum or cork).
If you are just preparing your home for sale, and/or not doing a full remodel, your choices may be limited due to height of cabinets and appliances, so definitely involve a flooring expert before your run into an issue where you might either lock your appliances in or worse yet find that they don’t fit.
If you are selling your house, I would recommend you consult with your Realtor and/or stager before making changes here. It is easy to spend a lot of money in the kitchen and not get back your return on investment.
Bedrooms
Homeowners seem to be split on this one. Slightly more than half (56%) prefer hardwood for the bedrooms and 44% prefer carpet. This preference often has been influenced by homeowner’s experiences growing up and whether they are concerned about their feet being cold in the morning. But, either way, virtually all home buyers will NOT keep the carpet you have in your bedrooms.
They will either replace them or they will add hardwood (or refinish if you have hardwood underneath the carpet). Buyers do not like to live with other people’s carpets as there are usually odors and/or germs in there…or a perception that they are present. They seem to be even more concerned if they have young kids and/or babies.
How do porcelain tiles add so much to the value of your home?
The first and easiest answer is that they are tremendously attractive. With tile, you can create any number of looks, from sleek sophistication to charming, cozy cottage. It creates a focal point of any room. The look and feel of porcelain tiles instantly and effectively conveys quality, simplicity, and a hint of opulence at the same time. Any prospective home owner who walks into a room and is greeted by beautiful tile floor mosaics will fall in love.
Beyond surface appearances, high quality porcelain floor tiles are very durable and resistant to impact, chemicals, water absorption, staining, and scratching. Maintenance is very easy, particularly with a well-glazed tile. This also makes it a very hygienic choice in any room, particularly the kitchen and bathroom. This is certainly a selling point with any home buyer.
Reasons Why Vinyl Plank Is Better Than Ceramic Tile
Vinyl planks are taking over the flooring industry, and for good reason! As technology advances, so does the way the flooring we install in our homes is engineered. If you’re weighing the pros and cons of both options, here are some reasons why vinyl plank is a better choice than ceramic tile:
Cost.
Vinyl plank is much more budget-friendly than ceramic tile. Depending on the type of tile you are choosing, ceramics can cost as much as hardwood or high-quality carpet. Materials aside, it costs 40% less to install vinyl plank than it does to install ceramic tile.
Faster and easier.
Installing ceramic tile is labor-intensive and takes a lot of time, so you will most likely need a professional if you want it installed properly. Vinyl plank is DIY-friendly and 60% quicker to install than ceramic tile.
Durability.
Both vinyl plank and ceramic tile are known to be durable flooring options. However, ceramic can chip and crack over time. Ceramic tile is more prone to damage (think dropping something heavy on the surface) than vinyl plank. Vinyl plank is also a better option if you have children or pets.
Aesthetic Appeal
Vinyl planks are offered in many looks that are similar to tile. The photographic technology allows vinyl to mimic the appearance of ceramic (or any flooring style you could possibly want) in a way that’s nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Plus, this added layer allows the planks to withstand extended use.
Less mess.
Prepping to install ceramic tile is a mess. Because you must rip up the flooring and make sure the surface is even before installation, there is an excess of dust involved in the process.
No wait time.
With vinyl plank, there is no waiting for the floor to cure or dry. You can live on it right away!
Not as permanent. Once ceramic tile is installed, it can be very difficult to remove. If you’re someone who likes to change trends and home design elements, floating vinyl plank floors are easier to take out and replace.