Ceramic and vinyl flooring choices

There are so many varieties of both ceramic and vinyl.  They range from basic economy products to high end very expensive selections.  When considering your needs for your rooms, first consider how much you want to spend and then, how much foot traffic the space gets on a daily basis. Always remember usually the more the products cost, the more heavy duty it is.  Low prices are usually attached to products that are less durable and have a more basic look or design.  There are areas in your home that the basic floors will serve just as well because the room is not used as much such as guest rooms or extra bathrooms. You will probably want to spend a little more in the main rooms that you use everyday.

I’ll try to break all this down for you!

CERAMIC TILE

• Ceramic tile is a huge subject.  The sizes vary from 12” to 20” squares and are also available in a variety of octagon and rectangle shapes and sizes. First decide on the look that is the best for your room and your taste.
• There are many accents and boarders to choose from that can make your room special.  Look for different styles like natural pebbles and stones to create a path or use them to make a diagonal strip across a small bathroom floor to add a zip. There are also a variety of chipped tile and small flat stones that can separate areas in a great room or create a transition from the foyer to the kitchen.  
• Ceramic tile is great for bathrooms, foyers and kitchens because it is durable and can handle dirt and water. 
• Ceramic tile is not usually a DYI project.  Even if you think you can install it yourself, be careful and get good instruction.  I know many people who have done it themselves only to have the grout chip out or the tiles to become loose a few years later.  What a mess!!!
• This is one product that requires more than just the tile to do the job, don’t forget to factor in the price of the cement board, the adhesive and the grout when computing your cost.

VINYL

• Vinyl is available in many forms as well.  It comes as sheet goods 12’ and 6’ wide-this is usually called resilient flooring.  Vinyl is also available in square tiles and in faux wood strips. Some vinyl squares are solid vinyl and very durable and easy to care for.  Others are economy varieties and have a thin vinyl coating over the pattern.  Always check the specifications on the back of the sample so you know what you are getting.  The vinyl wood strips are surprisingly good looking when installed and they are very durable.  Some look so much like real wood and are an alternative to laminate flooring because they can handle moisture and be used in the basement.
• Solid vinyl also has accent strips available to create transitions and focal points.  Some companies even offer medallions for accenting foyers and hallways.
•  Vinyl is also great for kitchens, bathrooms and also lower level rooms. It is easy to clean easy to install.  Many homeowners can install vinyl themselves with the right instruction.
• Some vinyl sheet goods get glued down and some require just the edges to glue down which is really easy to install.  Again, always check the specifications and directions before making your selections.
• There are also a huge range of prices for vinyl. The reasons for the prices are the same as I mentioned above, design and durability.

There are so many hard surface materials to choose from, so use your imagination.  Don’t settle for the old stand by selections.  Research and find some great solutions that will serve you for a long time. It often doesn’t cost more to get a more exciting result.