Tiles vs Laminate Flooring: Pros & Cons

Tile Giant
Top Tips
30 Sept 2022

Tiles versus Laminate

Tiles are one of the oldest forms of floor coverings, with evidence of their use from the beginning of history, around 3300 BC! From Ancient Egyptians, the Romans and the Greeks all favoured the tile for its beauty and longevity. We have continued to develop tiles for both function and aesthetics, tiles remain a strong contender amongst all other floor coverings, if it isn’t broken, why fix it? Nowadays though, there are hundreds of options for homeowners to choose from for their floor coverings, we look at all aspects in this blog from installaion to durability, which is really the best overall floor covering?

From carpets to laminate and even fired concrete there is so much choice when considering a change, none of which are low cost. Making it so important to make the correct choice the first time around. Below we have explored all the considerations clients may consider when choosing a new floor in their home, from cost, how it looks, ease of installation and even the safety aspects too!

Tile or Laminate

With the development of wood effect tiles consumers who want an Oak effect or Parquet style floor now have more options to explore. Laminate, just like tiles, has been through a mill of improved product development. You can now buy laminate that promises to be just as hard wearing as a tiled floor! So tile vs laminate: here are the pros & cons.

	Tiled Floors	Laminate
Cost	Tiled Floors will almost always be the more expensive option. The materials needed for their production need to be derived from the earth does not come cheap. Most tiles are produced abroad; you must factor in the import costs too. Tiles also require much more to be installed to the ground, this means you must factor in things such as adhesive, grouts and spacers needed for the job. However, Tiles has a much longer life span – lasting from 50 to 75 years!	Traditionally laminate floors were a cheaper alternative to hardwood or tiled floors. Now there has been a huge shift in the capabilities of laminate. You may not see that much of a difference in cost per M2. However, Laminate flooring cannot be refurbished, this means you will have to replace the floor every 10-25 years.
Appearance	There are so many tiles available, from wood effect & High shine to Marble and heavily patterned. There is a tile style to suit every budget and interior. There is also a huge range of finishes for tiles, matt, high shine & textured!	Laminate has improved somewhat as far as appearance is concerned. From luxurious black to high gloss white and all the colour variations in-between there is something for everyone and every home style.
Tactility	Tiles can feel chilly under the feet! However, you can get tiles that have a matt finish which don’t feel so cold. The tiles are ridged under foot which may be uncomfortable for some people.	Laminate, depending on the manufacturer, can feel artificial and plastic like underfoot. Laminate can also feel like it is moving under foot due to the flexibility of the underflooring.
Durability	A tiled floor is one of the most durable options for a family home. Short of cracking the entire tile (which in most cases could be replaced if your tiles have a fade resistant glaze. Tiles are Scratch resistant, and they are one of the only floor coverings that can boast being completely water resistant.	Whilst Laminate flooring is developed to resist scratching and marking, they will begin to wear after a few years of traffic over the floor. Laminate also tends to dent when heavy furniture is placed on top of it, often this will not bounce back. Laminate is very sensitive to moisture, this can cause the laminate to warp and swell, for this reason it may not be the best for kitchens & bathrooms.
Ease of Installation	Of course, tiles can be laid by anyone. However, that doesn’t mean they should be! Tiling is a profession; it is a taught skill that many take years to perfect. The finish from a professional tiler will be leaps and bounds above those who aren’t qualified. Ensuring that tiles are properly laid and sealed will keep them looking perfect for much longer.	One of the main marketing messages for laminate is the ease of fitting. There is an abundance of how to videos on YouTube and manufacturers websites offer how to guides and tutorials. And, if you don’t feel like doing it yourself you can always hire a professional floor fitter!
Safety Aspects	One of the biggest safety advantages of a tiled floor is that they are fire resistant. Unlike vinyl, tiles will not melt or burn. Porcelain tiles are one of the most fire-resistant materials. These tiles are manufactured using extreme temperatures; therefore, they will not produce any smoke or any toxic fumes.	Some laminate flooring is flammable, typically burning faster than wood. Some Laminate brands have developed their product to be fire retardant. It is important to check what the specifications are, especially if you are laying the flooring in kitchens.
Maintenance	If you have a porous natural stone tile, then you must ensure the tile is suitably sealed for the tile’s longevity. Other tiles that have been glazed during production do not require this. To keep tiles in tip top condition it is suggested they are swept with a soft bristle brush twice a week and mop with diluted water and dish soap.	Laminate flooring does not like moisture, so you won’t be able to run the steam mop over it like other flooring materials. Advice on how best to clean your laminate flooring will be available from your floor manufacturer.