When considering a bathroom remodel, one of the most important choices you can make is deciding on the type of flooring. Vinyl has long been a popular choice due to its affordability and ease of installation. However, tile floors are often seen as a more luxurious and durable option. So, should you upgrade from vinyl to tile floors in your bathroom?
At Surface Bella, our team understands how important it is for homeowners to make the best choice for their lifestyle and home. But, with so many variables, it can be difficult to choose between investing in new vinyl flooring and upgrading to tile. If you want to learn more about each flooring option and whether tile is best for your home, keep reading.
The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
The Pros
- They’re Inexpensive: If you are trying to upgrade your bathroom, but you’re working on a limited budget, investing in new vinyl flooring is a great way to do so. These floors are, on average, between $2 and $6 per square foot. Most bathrooms are only about 30 to 40 square feet. This smaller size means that, for as little as $80, you can upgrade your bathroom floors.
- They’re Quick to Install: When you’re installing new floors in your bathroom, you may be looking for a floor that is quick to install. If you don’t have several days to install floors, you might want to consider vinyl. Vinyl floors only take one to two days to install, meaning you can transform the space over a quick weekend.
- They’re Water-Resistant: The most important aspect of your bathroom flooring is that it can withstand any wet conditions it may come in contact with. Vinyl flooring is resistant to any water it comes in contact with, maintaining its appearance whether water splashes out from your shower or you’re dealing with a leak.
The Cons
- They’re Difficult to Remove: While you might not immediately want to remove your vinyl floorings, the day may come when you decide they don’t fit your space anymore. When that day comes, you may come to find that they can be difficult and time-consuming to remove, as the adhesive likely won’t want to budge.
- They’re Hard to Repair: Vinyl flooring isn’t the most resilient flooring on the market. Without any resiliency, you may find that your floors are damaged when things are dropped on these floors. If this occurs, repairs can be difficult, if not impossible to perform, and you may have to replace the entire floor to remedy the problem.
- They Don’t Boost Home Value: When you’re making upgrades to your home, you are likely looking to make upgrades that also boost its value. Due to their lower price, vinyl flooring isn’t a great choice for boosting your home’s value. Many potential buyers may even see these floors as a downfall, making them a poor choice if you’re trying to sell.
The Pros and Cons of Tile Floors
The Pros
- They’re Incredibly Durable: When you decide to replace the floors in your bathroom, you don’t want to choose a flooring that is fragile. Unlike some other flooring, tile floors are incredibly durable, standing up to whatever foot traffic, drops, and spills they may come in contact with. If you’ve dealt with floor damage before, tile floors are a great choice.
- They Increase Your Home’s Value: If you’re going to invest time and money into renovating your home, you want to ensure you get the most out of this investment. All of the reasons you love tile floors are the same reason potential homebuyers lovet them as well. When you invest in these floors, trust that you’ll notice an increase in your home’s value.
- They’re Easy to Clean: The last thing you want after installing a new floor is to spend hours on end trying to keep them looking their best. When you invest in tile floors for your home, you can trust that they’re easy to care for. Often, you can sweep up any larger debris and mop as necessary to keep them looking their best.
The Cons
- They’re Expensive: While you have likely been preparing for your renovation for a while, you may still have a limited budget. If you choose to invest in tile floors for your home, you may burn through a substantial amount of this budget in ways you hadn’t previously expected to. On average, tile floors cost $8 to $44 per square foot, which can quickly add up.
- The Grout Can Be High-Maintenance: If you’ve ever had tile floors in your home before, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with grout. It can be difficult to clean, and may chip over time, requiring replacement. If you are looking for an entirely low-maintenance floor, investing in tile might not be best.
- The Installation is Long: Installing tile floors isn’t as simple as placing these floors down. The installation includes applying mortar, properly spacing the tiles, and installing grout. If you expect this to be done quickly, or need it to be done quickly, you may be disappointed when that isn’t the case.
Is It Time to Upgrade to Tile Floors?
Upgrading from vinyl to tile floors in your bathroom is a decision that should be based on your budget, timeline, and personal preferences. While vinyl offers affordability and ease of installation, tile floors provide unmatched durability and ease of maintenance. If you’re looking for a long-term investment that can enhance the beauty and value of your home, tile is an excellent choice. However, if you’re working with a tighter budget or need a quick update, vinyl can still provide a stylish and functional flooring option.
Expert Bathroom Upgrades from Surface Bella
If you are ready to begin your bathroom remodel or you want to invest in tile floors in this space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Surface Bella. With years of experience helping homeowners across the Greenville, SC, area achieve their dream bathroom, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. We can help you find the perfect flooring for your space, perfectly matching existing styles, paint colors, metal finishes, and more.
If you are ready to start a new tiling project or if you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact our team today!