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Do you need to choose between vinyl flooring and tiles and don't know where to start? We are here to help! In this article, we'll show you what to look for in both types of flooring and what you should consider. Vinyl flooring or tiles: Depending on the situation and requirements, either flooring could be the better choice for you.
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What You Need to Know About Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is composed of a type of thermoplastic polymer called polyvinyl chloride (abbreviated PVC or vinyl), various fillers, stabilizers, and plasticizers. This composition gives vinyl flooring its typical and unique properties: it is very robust, elastic, and pleasantly warm underfoot. The classic PVC, which you might know from hard PVC pipes, is thus significantly different from the vinyl we know today. Vinyl flooring is also often referred to as design flooring.
Caution: Cheap import products can contain harmful plasticizers. Most well-known vinyl flooring manufacturers now only use safe plasticizers. However, we still recommend asking the retailer about this before purchasing. In our planeo vinyl floors, only safe plasticizers are used!
Vinyl Flooring for Every Need and Taste
The variety of available designs for vinyl flooring is almost limitless. Whatever your taste, you are guaranteed to find designs that meet your expectations.
In fact, vinyl flooring manufacturers have developed suitable solutions for almost every requirement. Two features should be particularly noted in your selection: the wear layer thickness and the usage class.
The wear layer is the topmost layer of the vinyl flooring, the layer that first bears any wear and tear. Therefore, the vinyl flooring is only as good as its wear layer allows. Common thicknesses are 0.3 / 0.5 / 0.55 mm. For residential use, a thickness of 0.3 mm is sufficient. For commercial use or higher stress areas, choose thicknesses of 0.5 mm or more.
To simplify product comparison, usage classes (DIN EN ISO 10874) have been introduced for resilient floor coverings. According to this standard, vinyl floors are divided into three areas of application: residential, commercial, and industrial. With the help of the following overview table, you can easily determine the appropriate usage class for you.
Note: A thicker wear layer, i.e., the top layer, automatically reflects a higher usage class.
| Usage Class | Private Area | Usage Class | Commercial Area | Usage Class | Industrial Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Bedrooms, Guest Rooms | 31 | Small Offices, Hotel Rooms | 41 | Areas with predominantly seated activities (workshops) |
| 22 | Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Children's Rooms | 32 | Small Shops, Doctor's Offices | 42 | Areas with predominantly standing activities (storage rooms) |
| 23 | Entrance Hall, Hallway, Kitchen | 33 | Department Stores, Reception Areas, Open Plan Offices | 43 | Warehouses and Production Halls |
| 34 | Multipurpose Halls, Airports |
Perfectly Matched: Solid Vinyl and Water
Not all vinyl floors are suitable for wet rooms. Vinyl floors that are based on a non-waterproof carrier board (e.g., HDF) can swell over time due to standing water. The solid vinyl variant (also called solid vinyl) is absolutely waterproof. You can install this in your bathroom and shower area without worry. You can also glue solid vinyl and some other vinyl flooring variants to the wall; this makes bathroom renovation with vinyl even more interesting. Solid vinyl is undoubtedly the ideal alternative to tiles in the bathroom.
Vinyl Flooring Bathroom Shower - Easy Installation
How Can You Install Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl floors are an exciting and extensive topic. Unlike tiles, installing vinyl flooring is not complicated. Special tools are not even required. Therefore, more and more of our customers are daring to install their vinyl floors themselves.
In the next overview, we show you the installation options for vinyl flooring. The click variant of vinyl flooring is the easiest to install. It is also the most popular among our customers.
| Installation Method | Brief Info |
|---|---|
| Install using wet adhesive | Wet adhesive is applied to a levelled substrate with a notched trowel. A solid bond is formed between the vinyl flooring and the substrate. |
| Install on adhesive underlay | Adhesive bonding only occurs between the vinyl flooring and the adhesive underlay. No solid bond is formed between the adhesive underlay and the substrate; this is referred to as “floating” installation. *Particularly popular for installing adhesive vinyl |
| Self-adhesive installation | Adhesive is already applied to the back of the vinyl flooring. Installation is on a bare substrate. A solid bond is formed between the vinyl flooring and the substrate. |
| Install using double-sided adhesive film | Double-sided adhesive film is first applied to a levelled substrate, then the vinyl flooring is applied to the film. Both the vinyl flooring and the adhesive film are removable. |
| Install on underlay | Purely “floating” installation. No adhesive bond with the underlay or the substrate. *Particularly popular for installing click vinyl |
Adhesive vinyl flooring - 4 ways to install adhesive vinyl
What Types of Tiles Are There?
Tiles are generally divided into three types: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain stoneware. Each type of tile has its special properties and applications. We will briefly introduce them to you.
- Earthenware tiles (also called wall tiles) are the least compressed tiles. They are only installed on walls, so they do not need to be as robust. Their water absorption is up to 15%.
- Stoneware tiles (also called floor tiles) are significantly more compressed than earthenware tiles. Consequently, they are more robust and have a lower water absorption of up to only 3%. You can install these tiles on floors and walls.
- Porcelain stoneware tiles (also called floor tiles) are the densest and most durable tiles. Their water absorption is a maximum of 0.5%. You can install these tiles anywhere: on floors and walls, in bathrooms and showers, indoors and outdoors.
Stoneware tiles and porcelain stoneware tiles are available either glazed or unglazed. Earthenware tiles, on the other hand, are only available glazed. This is because earthenware tiles are not as firmly pressed and not as highly fired as stoneware or porcelain stoneware tiles. Therefore, they have a significantly higher water absorption, which is greatly reduced by the glaze.
The glaze is a mixture of glass powder and water. It is applied to the tile before the firing process. In the oven, the glass particles melt and form the tile glaze. Glazes are available with a smooth, matte, or glossy surface.
The polished and semi-polished finishes are only found in porcelain stoneware tiles. Through polishing, porcelain stoneware tiles acquire a beautiful mirroring high gloss.
All tile types are also available with the so-called rectified edge. Rectified means that the tile has been ground to exact right angles on all sides. Therefore, rectified tiles are also considered sharp-edged. Only with these tiles can you achieve extremely narrow joints of 2 mm.
How to Choose the Right Tiles
Unfortunately, it is not possible to have all the advantages in just one type and finish of tile. Remember the following tile rules. With this compact knowledge, you will gain clarity in the dense tile jungle.
- Glazed tiles are resistant to stains and easier to clean. However, they are more slippery and less robust than unglazed tiles.
- Unglazed tiles are slip-resistant and very robust. However, they are more sensitive to stains and harder to clean.
- Glazed tiles never need to be impregnated as the glaze already forms a protective layer. Unglazed tiles can, but do not have to be impregnated. Polished or semi-polished tiles, on the other hand, should always be impregnated depending on the manufacturer.
- Earthenware tiles should only be installed on walls. Stoneware and porcelain stoneware tiles can be installed on both floors and walls.
For simplicity, we have created a tabular overview for you. It shows at a glance which tile types are available, in which finishes and with which features. And of course, where they can be used.
| Tile Type | Finish | Characteristics | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthenware Tiles | glazed |
- Stain-resistant - Easy to maintain - Not robust - Susceptible to scratches - Slippery (depending on the type of glaze) - Not frost-resistant |
- Indoor use only - Only on walls - Suitable for bathrooms - Suitable for shower areas |
| Stoneware and Porcelain Stoneware Tiles | unglazed |
- Easy to maintain - Extremely robust - More scratch-resistant - Slip-resistant - Frost-resistant - Not stain-resistant (if not impregnated) |
- Indoor use - Outdoor use (porcelain stoneware recommended) - On walls and floors - Suitable for bathrooms - Suitable for shower areas - Commercial use |
| Stoneware and Porcelain Stoneware Tiles | glazed |
- Stain-resistant - Easy to maintain - Robust - Frost-resistant - Susceptible to scratches - Slippery (depending on the type of glaze) - If the glaze is worn or chipped, the tile must be replaced |
- Indoor use - Outdoor use (porcelain stoneware recommended) - On walls and floors - Suitable for bathrooms - Suitable for shower areas - Commercial use (unglazed version recommended) |
| Porcelain Stoneware Tiles | polished / semi-polished |
- Beautiful high gloss - Easy to maintain - Robust - Frost-resistant - Not stain-resistant (if not impregnated) - Susceptible to scratches - Very slippery |
- Indoor use - Outdoor use (non-polished porcelain stoneware recommended) - On walls and floors - Suitable for bathrooms - Suitable for shower areas |
Abrasion Classes and Slip Resistance Classes for Tiles: We'll Clarify
The classification of tiles according to abrasion classes quickly helps you find the right tile for your needs. However, this classification only exists for glazed stoneware and porcelain stoneware tiles! If there is no glaze, there can be no abrasion of the tiles. Earthenware tiles, on the other hand, are not classified by abrasion classes because they are wall tiles and are hardly stressed.
Slip resistance classes only apply to tiles that can be installed on floors. These are therefore only stoneware and porcelain stoneware tiles. This classification is also important for you. Not every floor tile should, for example, be installed in the wet area of your shower. Only a slip-resistant floor tile gives you a secure footing when showering.
The slip resistance classes range from R9 (hardly slip-resistant) to R13 (very slip-resistant). An additional A, B, or C indicates how well the tile is specifically suitable for wet and barefoot areas. For the floor of your walk-in shower, choose optimally:
- at least abrasion class 2
- at least slip resistance class R 10 / B
| Abrasion Class | Wear |
|---|---|
| 1 | Very low, e.g., in bedrooms |
| 2 | Low, e.g., in bathrooms |
| 3 | Medium, e.g., in living rooms, on balconies |
| 4 | High, e.g., entrance areas, hallways, terraces |
| 5 | Very high, primarily used in commercial areas (e.g., shops, schools, halls, etc.) |
| Slip Resistance Class | Slip Resistance |
|---|---|
| R9 | Very low slip resistance, e.g., bedrooms, living rooms |
| R10 | Low slip resistance, e.g., bathrooms, laundry rooms |
| R11 | Medium slip resistance, e.g., outdoor areas, terraces, stairs |
| R12 | High slip resistance, designed for industrial use |
| R13 | Very high slip resistance, designed for industrial use |
| A | Suitable for mostly dry areas that only become minimally damp or wet, e.g., changing rooms |
| B | Suitable for wet areas that often and significantly become wet, e.g., showers and swimming pool surrounds |
| C | Suitable for permanently wet areas that can also be submerged, e.g., foot baths |
Vinyl Flooring and Tiles in Direct Comparison – All Advantages and Disadvantages
Vinyl flooring has as many advantages as no other flooring on the market. It rightly belongs to modern, innovative floor coverings and enjoys rapidly increasing demand.
Tiles, on the other hand, are a rather complicated topic. Especially for installation, craftsmanship and practice are absolutely necessary. To this day, only a few dare to install tiles themselves. In most cases, a tiler is commissioned. Nevertheless, tiles have always been a proven flooring and are popular with customers.
To help you decide on a flooring, you should consider their pros and cons. Only then can you weigh exactly what is better suited to your needs: vinyl flooring or tiles.
We have summarized all the advantages and disadvantages of both types of flooring for you:
| ADVANTAGES - Vinyl Flooring | ADVANTAGES - Tiles |
|---|---|
| - Pleasantly warm underfoot | - Variety of designs, wide range of different decors |
| - Highly durable, very abrasion-resistant | - Many different formats |
| - Completely waterproof, suitable for bathrooms and kitchens | - Waterproof, suitable for bathrooms and kitchens |
| - Quiet, less footfall noise compared to other hard floorings | - Floor tiles can be installed outdoors |
| - Easy to clean, can be vacuumed and wet-mopped | - Very robust and durable |
| - Many simple installation options, can be glued or clicked together | - Made from natural materials |
| - Can be installed over underfloor heating systems | - Easy to clean, can be vacuumed and wet-mopped |
| - Installation height from 2 mm, good solution for renovations | - Stain-resistant (when glazed or impregnated) |
| - Ideal for dust-free and quiet renovations | - Can be installed over underfloor heating systems |
| - Variety of designs, wide range of wood decors, stone decors, and tile decors | - Heat-resistant |
| - Many different formats | |
| - Elastic, gentle on the joints | |
| - Must comply with emissions and pollutant standards set by authorities and testing institutes, thus safe for health | |
| - Recyclable, can be fully processed through recycling |
| DISADVANTAGES - Vinyl Flooring | DISADVANTAGES - Tiles |
|---|---|
| - Fully glued versions are difficult to remove | - Complicated and expensive installation, usually only possible by professionals |
| - Subfloor must be especially well prepared | - Special tools required for installation |
| - Cheap imported products may contain harmful plasticisers | - High transport weight and risk of breakage |
| - Not a natural product | - Tile thickness from 10 mm for floor tiles and 8 mm for wall tiles, not suitable for every renovation |
| - Soft surface, therefore prone to scratches | - Loud footfall noise, can be perceived as disturbing |
| - Does not tolerate high heat, not suitable for saunas or near fireplaces | - Unpleasantly cold underfoot |
| - Final disposal only possible in incineration plants | - Difficult to remove |
Conclusion: Vinyl Flooring or Tiles – Your Needs Are Crucial
Even tiles are not immune to the trendy vinyl flooring and are already positioned at least on par with them. Most customers do not overlook the clear advantages of vinyl flooring. Hardly any other flooring is better suited for a quiet, quick, and dust-free renovation. And if you also install the vinyl flooring floating, you can later remove it easily without much effort.
The opposite is true for tiles: Renovation is noisy, time-consuming, and involves a lot of dirt and dust. Later renovation is therefore not possible without renewed noise, dirt, and dust. You should also consider your maximum construction height. The local conditions (e.g., doors, frames, transitions) dictate it. If you need to keep it low, opt for vinyl flooring. Its construction height starts at just 2 mm, while tiles start at 10 mm.
Tiles are cold underfoot on the one hand but natural and extremely robust on the other. In fact, porcelain stoneware tiles are the most durable flooring on the market. Tiles withstand significantly stronger point loads than all other floor coverings. If your floor has to withstand higher loads, then you should prefer tiles to vinyl flooring.
Both vinyl flooring (solid vinyl) and tiles are waterproof and suitable for wet or damp areas. Tiles are also heat-resistant and weatherproof. They can be installed directly by the fireplace or outdoors on the terrace. Vinyl flooring near a fireplace requires a fireplace floor plate, and it is not suitable for terraces due to temperature fluctuations. As often, price plays a role. If you want the more affordable flooring, you should choose vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is not only cheaper to purchase but also cheaper to install. With a bit of courage, you can even install it yourself.
Experience the best service with planeo - because you need it!
No matter what challenges you face with your project, planeo provides you with the right solution. Benefit from the advantages of our services:
- Free samples⁴ for many of our products: Order up to 7 samples at no cost, for instance, of our vinyl floors, click vinyl, adhesive vinyl, or rigid vinyl.
- Express delivery² - for urgent projects and quick decisions.
- Expert advice¹ - We offer professional consultation through our contact page or answer your questions directly in the comments.
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