View Full Version : New flooring, tile or laminate?
stvaughn
12-01-2017, 09:33 AM
We are looking to purchase an older resale that will need new flooring. What are your thoughts or experiences with whole house tile or a tile-laminate combination?
Thanks, Steve
fw102807
12-01-2017, 09:39 AM
Depends. We have dogs so our laminate needs to be covered with rugs (which I hate) so that they do not slip or tear it up with their claws. Tile is durable, beautiful and permanent. Also laminate is a floating floor which means that unless the installation is flawless (and sometimes even then) it will creak.
Fredster
12-01-2017, 09:40 AM
We have tile in the kitchen, baths, lanai, and the rest of the house is laminate. Love the ease of upkeep!
Our laminate doesn’t creek, and it is somewhat softer under foot than tile.
Sgroemm
12-01-2017, 10:39 AM
Tile baths and laminate for the rest of the house. I don't wear shoes in the house and love the laminate. Clean it with the Swiffer dry sweeper....a breeze. Tile is a bit chilly on stocking feet and if you drop anything fragile, it's gone. My laminate is textured like wood so my pups don't slip on it.
Opmoochler
12-01-2017, 11:11 AM
We have tile throughout and love its easy upkeep. I have a big lab who goes to the dog park daily and tracks in sand and wet grass. The only rug we have is a large area rug defining the living room. When we bought our resale two years ago, we ripped out carpet from three bedrooms and their closets. I use old golf socks to keep my feet clean (kinda like Swiffering) and warm.
GoodLife
12-01-2017, 11:19 AM
wood plank ceramic tile floors are best in my opinion, a bit more expensive than laminate but you get the durability of tile and the look of wood. Easy to care for and will add more value to your home than laminate. I have also had engineered hardwood floors which are expensive and beautiful, but a leaky dishwasher or washing machine can destroy them.
TheWarriors
12-01-2017, 11:21 AM
Tile or laminate, we prefer the look of one choice throughout the house.
Madelaine Amee
12-01-2017, 11:22 AM
Tile everywhere except for bedrooms which are laminate. Love both. I do not find the tile cold and I walk bare foot everywhere in the house. So easy to keep both clean. I use throw rugs beside the beds and a big living room carpet.
Rango
12-01-2017, 12:55 PM
Tile or laminate, we prefer the look of one choice throughout the house.
:agree:
Fredman
12-01-2017, 01:16 PM
Vinyl plank is another option
fw102807
12-01-2017, 01:23 PM
Vinyl plank is another option
I have seen this and some are very attractive and also durable.
retiredguy123
12-01-2017, 02:18 PM
Tile throughout the house would be my choice, and with a light color. Make sure you save some spare tiles. No laminate or carpet.
Dan9871
12-01-2017, 04:46 PM
Vinyl plank is another option
We put vinyl plank on our bedrooms. It is really nice.
Fraugoofy
12-01-2017, 09:10 PM
We are looking to purchase an older resale that will need new flooring. What are your thoughts or experiences with whole house tile or a tile-laminate combination?
Thanks, SteveThis is tile that looks like wood. LOVE it!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171202/68f065272b03c4c55886ae5d30e1a1d2.jpg
Sent from my SM-N920R4 using Tapatalk
dotti105
12-02-2017, 02:06 AM
Of course it is personal preference. But there are some differences that should be considered.
1. Tile is hard on your joints, cold and the grout can be a nightmare to keep clean. We have recoloring our grout and sealing it so that it will look clean. It is really fairly high maintenance when the grout is considered.
Also tile can shatter if something drops on it and it it a b**ch to remove and replace broken tiles
2. Laminate is less expensive, it is a warmer floor, often with cushioning which is much easier on the joints. It is not waterproof, so using it in wet areas, (laundry room, bathrooms, entry) may need to be replaced over time as it tends to swell.
3. Luxury Vinyl Tile, or Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVT or LVP) This is the newest of the products. It is entirely water proof, so it can be used in wet areas. It is cushioned , so easy on the joints. If a tile or plank is damaged, it can easily be replaced. It is durable and very attractive with many choices in grain, color and had beautiful planks/styles to choose from.
We are very impressed with the LVT/LVP and plan to install it soon!
vintageogauge
12-02-2017, 07:43 AM
Tile. Laminate can't handle moisture, Vinyl Tile is just a new way to market linoleum. Tile will also add to the re-sale value in most cases, the others will detract. Just my opinion.
Dan9871
12-02-2017, 08:53 AM
Vinyl Tile is just a new way to market linoleum.
Plank vinyl is not linoleum. Plank vinyl is PVC over a thick rubber like backing. Linoleum is made from linseed oil. I don't think it is has been used much for a long time.
Value is in the eye of the beholder. Tile costs more than than plank vinyl but many people see negative value in having to keep the grout lines of tile clean. That's why we went with plank vinyl when we replaced the carpeting in our bedrooms. You would have had to pay us to put tile in the bedrooms.
Madelaine Amee
12-02-2017, 08:53 AM
Dirty Grout which can no longer be cleaned - we had this problem and we used Grout Shield | Grout Color & Sealer | Grout Restoration System (http://www.groutshields.com/). At the time we used this product there was no one in the area doing this work so my otherhalf did everything and it was a massive job, but this many years later I can tell you the floor and grout still looks like new and all I do is wash it. The grout has been scrubbed clean and has never changed. Incredible product for those that have old floors that need help.
If anyone is interested I will be happy to give them more details if they pm me.
chuckinca
12-02-2017, 10:30 AM
This is tile that looks like wood. LOVE it!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171202/68f065272b03c4c55886ae5d30e1a1d2.jpg
Sent from my SM-N920R4 using Tapatalk
We do too! We removed carpet from all bedrooms and dining room and put in Natural Timber Cinnamon Porcelain Ceramic Floor Tile - color matched grout is self sealing and only 1/8" wide with no grout cleaning required.
.
LuvtheVillages
12-02-2017, 10:45 AM
We used vinyl plank throughout the house, for a unified look. It is waterproof, so it works in the kitchen and baths. It is not cold or hard underfoot, is forgiving of dropped objects, has no grout lines to worry about. I love it. Visitors love it.
Choose a medium color. Dark colors show dust and dirt.
It is a floating floor, so the baseboards are removed during installation and then reinstalled. An opportunity to replace baseboards if you desire. We put is taller ones for a better proportion to our high ceilings.
stvaughn
12-02-2017, 03:48 PM
Thanks for all the responses. Would someone with vinyl plank please post a picture?
gap2415
12-02-2017, 06:20 PM
Tile
toeser
12-04-2017, 08:17 AM
We purchased a house with tile in the kitchen, but otherwise laminate throughout. Unfortunately, the former owners purchased a cheap laminate which scratches far to easily. From research, I have found that there are better laminates which border on scratch proof.
camysean137
12-04-2017, 08:20 AM
we used Robertos
we Tiled the Living Room, Kitchen, and Dining Area and
used Vinyl for the Bedrooms.
Very Happy with the outcome
dbaird
12-04-2017, 08:40 AM
We went with LVT (luxury vinyl tile) plank flooring throughout the house. Don't have to worry about water and softer walk than tile or laminate.
Dan9871
12-04-2017, 09:24 AM
Thanks for all the responses. Would someone with vinyl plank please post a picture?
No picture but everyone who has visited us since we put in vinyl planks thinks we put in a wood, not vinyl.
Nickle Tile in Lake Sumter Landing has a lot of samples of it to look at.
We had laminate in our previous house before we moved to The Villages and, like just about everyone else, there were spots in the floor that creaked to matter what you did. Now that we have plank vinyl we would not ever go the laminate again.
Bobby99
12-04-2017, 09:36 AM
I closed on a 2003 villa last week with the original floor covering. I plan on starting this week on all new flooring. I would have been fine with polished concrete but the wife wanted floating floors and tile in baths. I will be installing myself. I could tile the whole house but if you ever want to change that is a major job. On a 1200 sf villa I will be spending3 $3600 and no labor. If I wasn’t doing this myself it would cost 8000 and up.
NancyLee
12-04-2017, 09:37 AM
Doesn't tile have grout in between the tiles? How do you keep it clean? I have tile in my bathroom, and the grout is always dirty. Thanks for your help!
Beachaddict
12-04-2017, 10:16 AM
Hello - we are moving to TV this month, but my husband has done flooring for 40 years. The point he always makes to me about flooring is that if you do tile, changing your mind later is going to cause many more labor issues. It is harder to repair or change out. TV doesn’t offer this, but the new solid vinyl planks are durable, pretty and easier to work with. Just a thought from a professional 😀
Joorn59
12-04-2017, 10:40 AM
Just put down plank vinyl. Looks like laminate. The Flooring Shoppe on 301.
Joorn59
12-04-2017, 10:47 AM
Img_2657.jpg
SouthJerseyGirl
12-04-2017, 12:07 PM
Laminate which looks like real driftwood throughout the entire hoise. Looks and feels exactly like expensive wood. Easy to clean with a Swiffer. I wouldn’t change it ever!
dyobrien
12-04-2017, 01:52 PM
We have whole house tile. I do love it. It hides dirt very well, but I wish we had the tile that looks like hard wood. To me thats the best of both worlds.
laurie jeanne
12-04-2017, 02:08 PM
We have tile in kitchen, bathrooms & lanai. Live in a villa & just had the carpet ripped out & installed vinyl plank flooring which is waterproof, scratch resistant & has a superior psi (pounds per sq inch) rating. We have a dog & he has adapted knowing he can no longer “zoom” around the house! We love this flooring bought & installed by Stick and Stone Flooring Co., 405 N Main St, Wildwood. 352-399-2682. So easy to run a large dust mop or Swifter around & can mop with vinegar & water. Very pleased with the flooring & Stick and Stone Flooring Co.
Tredsaw12
12-04-2017, 07:00 PM
I just installed Pergo Outlast laminate throughout my whole house, (except bathroom). It's the best flooring I could find for $3 s/f or less. Well worth it. Even my wife loves it, now that's saying something.
It's insanely durable, practically scratchproof.
Looks and feels exactly like real oak wood. It's textured and even the edges are beveled like real wood.
Very easy to install.
Much more water resistant than most laminates.
I actually submerged 2 small pieces in a bucket of water for 48 hours. Removed them and let them dry for a day and they look as good as new. I could see no evidence of swelling at all. Pergo actually recommends it for the kitchen.
CFrance
12-04-2017, 09:48 PM
Doesn't tile have grout in between the tiles? How do you keep it clean? I have tile in my bathroom, and the grout is always dirty. Thanks for your help!
We had our tile grout stained darker and sealed three years ago. The grout still looks new, and all we ever do is wash the floor. Well worth the money to do this.
Alexander Tile & Marble did the job.
CindyNah1
12-04-2017, 10:52 PM
I love my laminate. I would spend the extra $$$ and use an experienced flooring person tho. if it is too "cheap" it will not withstand the humidity in florida
Wiotte
12-04-2017, 10:57 PM
///
Wiotte
12-04-2017, 10:58 PM
We have porcelain tile throughout with white grout. I use a Hoover floor cleaner machine that scrubs and vacuums the dirty water simultaneously into a holding tank. My grout always stays clean. Using any type of mop will only make the grout dirty.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Kazmi
12-07-2017, 06:43 AM
We have porcelain tile throughout with white grout. I use a Hoover floor cleaner machine that scrubs and vacuums the dirty water simultaneously into a holding tank. My grout always stays clean. Using any type of mop will only make the grout dirty.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How long have you had your Hoover cleaner? I'm looking for something like this for our whole tiled house. Read the reviews and some have said the machine doesn't last very long. Just curious.
2newyorkers
12-07-2017, 09:01 AM
If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen cooking or baking do not get tile. Some of us are getting older and standing on tile for long periods of time will make your knees and back ache.
CFrance
12-07-2017, 10:37 AM
We've had tile in our kitchen since 1987, and my knees and back don't ache. I am, however, thinking about getting one of those "rubber" kitchen mats--the longer one--because the dog sits at my feet and drools while I'm getting his food ready. I'm hoping he'll drool on the mat so I can see it better & clean it up before walking in it. I also think the mats feel very good to your feet.
MrsPhil
12-17-2017, 05:11 PM
Don't use laminate in the bath or kitchen: if you have a water leak, the whole floor is done in. Tile is permanent but, yes, it can crack if something heavy is dropped on it, so keep a few extra tiles in the garage and some matching grout. My entire house is tile, with a few small area rugs, and I love its easy upkeep: no worries about water damage, pet damage (we have cats), staining, etc. But you do have to seal the grout - going with a dark colored grout is highly recommended; that's almost carefree.
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.