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Ceramic Tiles Vs. Vinyl Floor |
sd2734
18 Posts
Member Since: 04/01/2008
Stroudsburg, PA
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Posted: 18:10 on 05-09-2008
I am thinking to install tiles in a kitchen floor instead the customary vinyl in a Rental. I hope that the ceramic tiles will be more durable (and better looking) than a vinyl floor. From what I have seen so far (which is somewhat limited) vinyl floors are very easy to tear and when it is time to re-vinyl one still has to go thru installing plywood and it starts to look as a sandwich of vinyl and CDX (plywood) layers which in turn increase the floor thickness.
Is it cost effective and more durable to spend initially more on tiles compared to periodically re-vinyling?
Regards,
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stdavid
75 Posts
Member Since: 09/29/2005
Billings, MT
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Posted: 19:45 on 05-09-2008
I never EVER install vinyl unless the floor is too uneven or unstable for tile. Tile (if you buy right) is not any more expensive, in fact it is often less expensive. The installation is much more expensive if you pay a professional, however. If you can do it yourself it will ALWAYS be worth it. If you don't know how, learn. It's one of those things that isn't that difficult and will save you tons of cash by doing it yourself. The wet saw for $88 at Home Depot will pay for itself the first job you do. Another thing every rehabber should learn how to do is refinishing hardwood floors. It's also not that difficult and the pros around here charge $7/ sf. I just finished 1200 sf myself and it cost me $400 rather than $8400. Bottom line is tile is always better than vinyl. Tenants and buyers think you spent way more and it lasts much longer. I tile every kitchen, bathroom, tub surround, and countertop. Granite tile countertops are cheaper than formica if you DIY.
[ Edited by stdavid on Date 05/09/2008 ]
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sd2734
18 Posts
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Stroudsburg, PA
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Posted: 20:22 on 05-09-2008
Thanks for your reply. I agree with everything you said 100%. I even have the "Workforce" wet saw from Home Depot you were talking about.
I am curious however, where do you find the discounted granite countertops? Could you elaborate a little?
Regards,
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stdavid
75 Posts
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Posted: 07:36 on 05-10-2008
I bought black granite tile at Lowe's for $5/sf. Home Depot (at least in my area) carries other colors for about $4/sf. As for ceramic tile, you can usually find a neutral color at HD for 68 cents/sf. I bought them out of a discontinued tile for 30 cents/ sf. (7 pallets worth!) If you know you will need certain things like tile, watch for the sales and buy before you need it.
[ Edited by stdavid on Date 05/10/2008 ]
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larock
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Member Since: 05/08/2005
Sugarloaf, PA
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Posted: 10:46 on 05-10-2008
I agree with stdavid, tile is much better than vinyl. It has a great look to it and the the cost is reasonable if you DIY. I've already rented units just based on the tile kitchens and baths. One small problem, I have noticed a little extra sound transfer when tiling a second floor apartment over the vinyl or laminated flooring.
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sd2734
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Posted: 11:15 on 05-10-2008
I totally agree on the cosmetics effect, but is it as durable in a Rental?
In other words what happens if a tile cracks or brakes?
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NC_Yank
911 Posts
Member Since: 02/27/2003
Mount Pleasant, NC
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Posted: 19:24 on 05-10-2008
Cracked or broken tiles are easy to fix.............simply grind out / score the grout around broken tile.......chisel out tile and remove existing thinset.
You can use a rapid set thinset, (usually sits up in about 30 minutes) and grout within two hours.
This is the beauty of using ceramic tile.
I would caution rehabbers to evaluate the floor system prior to installing tile..........many older homes have under sized joist which, due to deflection, can crack tile and or the grout lines when installed.
The fix is simple; I nail (2) 2x8's together for my girder, install hurricane ties to the girder so that I can take the girder in place, set a couple of concrete deck block on the ground and then install adjustable steel columns from the concrete block to my girder. Total cost is less then $100.00 per girder. All the above materials can be picked up at Lowes or Home Depot.
One final note; any girder that is less then 12 inches from the ground should be pressure treated and nails for same must be galvanized.
regards
NC_Yank
NC
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stdavid
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Posted: 21:03 on 05-10-2008
If a tile cracks in a lower end rental, I would grout the crack rather than replace the tile. Still much better than vinyl.
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ypochris
1977 Posts
Member Since: 03/22/2006
Lansing, MI
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Posted: 10:25 on 05-11-2008
I find I can install basic "salt and pepper" granite for about $5 a square foot including labor. The granite is under $2 a sq. ft. at Home Depot or Menards. Other colors add $2 to $3 a sq.ft. to the cost. This includes backer board, thinset, grout, and sealer.
It is worth while to go up one level on the tile saw, even for a small job IMO.
I have been doing a lot of this granite. My current project has three bathrooms and the kitchen all in granite tile. The first comment people make is "wow, nice floor!" You will never hear this about vinyl. I've done some marble too, but it is much harder to work with (it breaks when you try to press it in place, or if you just look at it wrong) and it scratches too easily. Plus if anything acidic gets on it, it is ruined. Sometimes I still use it on walls or shower stalls for the colors, though. But only granite for floors. Tile might save you a dollar a sq. ft. but it just isn't as nice.
Haven't had a cracking problem. The problem I have had is staining. Stone is porous, so be sure to apply several coats of a good sealer- once stained, it doesn't come out.
You will find that you can rent a house based on one look at the stone floor in your bathroom- people just think it is classy.
Chris
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ryandick
115 Posts
Member Since: 02/15/2005
Buffalo, NY
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Posted: 23:15 on 05-11-2008
Quote:
| If you can do it yourself it will ALWAYS be worth it. |
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Absolutely. I worked as an apprentice for my uncle's tile service when I was 16, mostly laying the sub-floor and cutting tiles. It's the best hands-on experience I ever received.
I've gotten to the point where I tile everything in lower to middle income level rentals. The cost of carpeting has skyrocketed, rolled vinyl is a PITA to install, and vinyl tiles get trashed within one year if the tenant isn't exceptionally clean. I can install nice looking tile myself for around $2.75 per square foot, including wonderboard, tile, and grout.
If the floor is too uneven for tile I use low-end laminate flooring, which costs around $1.25 - $1.75 per square foot (installed myself). The stuff is almost as durable as tile and sections can be replaced without much hassle. I've used it in several kitchens, including my primary residence, and love the stuff.
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