How Does Laminate Flooring Compare to Tile?
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Composition
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Laminate flooring, as its name suggests, is made up of several layers laminated together. Tile on the other hand, is made up of a solid substance that is the same all the way through. Both can be damaged in different ways. While laminate is unlikely to chip or crack like tile, it can be dented, melted and scratched easier than tile. Laminate is also generally warmer to the touch than tile because it includes plastics rather than products such as ceramic or stone.
Wear and Durability
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Laminate flooring comes in different types and qualities, and is designed to last different lengths of times, anywhere from five to 20 years. Tile, on the other hand, will typically last at least 20 years, and some types, such as marble will last 50 years or longer with proper care. Wear patterns also tend to show up sooner on laminate flooring, as the top layers begin to wear away. Tile, rather than showing wear as a traffic pattern, will begin to show age and use through damage to the finish as well as cracking and chipping.
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Moisture
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One of the biggest differences between laminate flooring and tile is the ability to withstand moisture. Because it is made up of layers that include a special type of paper and reconstituted wood, laminate flooring does not withstand moisture well. While a small spill will not affect good quality laminate flooring, continuous moisture, or spills that are not cleaned up quickly will cause damage. Tile on the other hand resists moisture well. It is good for use in bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors and anyplace where there is a lot of moisture.
Installation
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Laminate flooring can be installed almost anywhere, even on top existing hard floors. Many types of laminate flooring are also made to be installed by do-it-yourself types, with pieces that easily lock together and are easy to cut. It requires few tools and not much experience. Tile is a little more difficult to install, especially for the inexperienced, and requires special tools to cut and install. It also cannot be installed on certain surfaces and in most cases the existing flooring will need to be removed prior to installation, or a special layer installed underneath the tile before it is put in place.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Craig Jewell
