Floor tiles can make you break your home design. So it is important to choose a durable tile that will withstand the wear and tear of everyday life.
Busy day to day life can often take its toll on your home, especially on your floor tiles. When hosting a dinner party or social gathering at your home, the last thing you want to be worrying about is your floor tiles getting damaged.
If you have a large family or pets, it is important that you choose a durable tile for the high traffic areas in your home that won't easily scratch or chip. A damaged floor tile will not only be an eyesore, it will also become vulnerable to further damage. One small chip in your tile can soon turn into a large and nasty crack.
What Material is The Most Durable
Porcelain Floor Tiles
The durability of a tile is all down to the material of the tile. One of the strongest tile types is Porcelain. This is because porcelain is a dense material, which makes the tile stronger and less likely to scratch and chip.
However, there are some pros and cons to porcelain tiles that you should take into consideration before purchasing.
Pros | Cons |
Resistant to scratches and chips | Expensive to buy |
Low maintenance | Difficult installation |
Waterproof |
Ceramic Floor Tiles
Ceramic tiles are another great choice for someone who is looking for a durable floor tile for their home. While ceramic tiles are not as durable as porcelain tiles, they are a cheaper alternative. Just like porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles are resistant to scratches, however dropping heavier items such as plates or glassware can lead to chipping in your ceramic tiles.
This is why it is important to take in the pros and cons of different tile options to ensure you are getting the toughest tile that is suitable for the different spaces around your home. Similarly to porcelain tiles, there are a number of pros and cons for ceramic tiles that should be taken into consideration.
Pros | Cons |
Resistant to scratches | Easy to chip |
Cheap to buy | Difficult installation |
Low maintenance | Does not retain heat |
Vinyl Floor Tiles
Vinyl floor tiles are a great option for high traffic areas as they are resistant to scratches and stains. They are also a much cheaper alternative to porcelain and ceramic tiles, making them a great option for those who are looking for a cost effective flooring for your home. However, dragging sharp or heavy objects across vinyl tiles can cause tearing.
With this in mind, there are other pros and cons which may determine if vinyl floor tiles are suitable for your home or not.
Pros | Cons |
Resistant to scratches | Heavy or sharp objects cause tearing |
Very cheap to buy | Unsustainable - Difficult to recycle |
Easy installation | Can lower home resale value |
Which Floor Tile is Suitable For My Home?
When it comes down to choosing the most suitable floor tile for high traffic areas in your home, you want to make sure that you are choosing the most durable tiles. Being left with scratched, chipped or cracked floor tiles can really affect the overall appearance of your home.
Porcelain tiles are extremely tough due to their density so you don't have to worry about them becoming damaged. Although porcelain tiles are one of the more expensive tile options, they are extremely long lasting and have a life expectancy of 60+ years! This makes them a great option for high traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms.
Ceramic tiles are another great option for high traffic areas, as they are low maintenance and are resistant to scratches. However, ceramic tiles are quite easy to chip or crack, so you want to make sure that you take extra care when carrying heavy objects or furniture. For this reason, ceramic tiles may not be the best idea for kitchens. Dropping heavy plates or glasses is likely to cause a chip in your ceramic tiles! We recommend using ceramic tiles in other high traffic areas, such as hallways and bathrooms.
Vinyl tiles are also resistant to scratches and are much cheaper to buy. With the right maintenance, vinyl tiles can last you a long time. Another benefit to vinyl tiles is that they are extremely resistant to stains, making them a great option for kitchens. However, as vinyl tiles are easy to tear, make sure that you do not drag any heavy furniture across the tiles. A nasty tear in your vinyl flooring can result in a whole new floor installation.
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Megan
Megan is an expert bathroom blogger, she enjoys writing helpful DIY articles and bathroom inspo blogs. As well as specialist bathroom advice, Megan also shares expert how-to blogs with step by step guides.
