The Pros and Cons of Tile Flooring

There’s a lot to consider when shopping for new floors. Each product has its own unique features, benefits, and even drawbacks. Tile can be a great choice for a variety of rooms, homes, and lifestyles. If you’re considering putting tile floors in your home, here are some pros and cons to weigh before you make a decision.

Pros

It’s long-lasting

A properly installed tile floor should outlast nearly every other type of flooring. It’s stain, scratch, water and fire-resistant, and because it is inhospitable to bacteria, it does not need to be cleaned with harsh chemicals.

It has versatile design options

No matter what your style is, you can find a tile that works for your space. Today’s porcelain and ceramic tile can look like just about anything, like rustic hardwood, classic marble, textured burlap or oxidized metal. Today’s tile products are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from small, penny tiles to large square formats.

It’s waterproof

Porcelain tile is required to have a less than 0.5 percent absorption rate, meaning it won’t retain water when installed in wet areas like bathrooms. You’ll never have to worry about spills or pet accidents ruining your tile floors.

It’s low-maintenance

You won’t need any special cleaning products to take care of your tile floors. Sweep your floors to get rid of dust, dirt and debris, and use a vacuum on the bare floor setting for routine cleanup. Tile can be wet-mopped as well when necessary. But bear in mind that while tile is easy to clean, the grout might need a little more TLC.

Cons

It can be cold

Depending on where you live in the country, this could be considered either a pro or a con. If you live in a warmer climate, the coolness of tile might be comforting. But if you live in the Northeast, climbing out of bed and putting your feet on a tile floor in the middle of January is … less than ideal. However, you can install radiant heating systems to mitigate this problem, if you live in a cooler climate and your heart is set on tile.

It’s very hard

Unlike some other hard surface flooring options, tile doesn’t offer much in the way of give. If you spend a lot of time standing on your floor, have young children learning how to walk, or share your space with pets, you might want to consider something else.

It can be pricey

When it comes to tile, neither the product itself nor the installation are going to be cheap. While tile has become more affordable due to improvements in manufacturing, it’s still going to be one of the more expensive flooring options. And installation can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the scope of the project.