Choosing the right floor for you.
Choosing a floor is a complex decision. This is a choice that will be with you for years to come. And, which style and design you pick will change the look and feel of your home. Knowing the difference in the kinds of flooring is a start in the right direction though. Here are some of the differences of Epoxy, Vinyl tiles, and Ceramic tile.
· EPOXY
Cost is based on the complexity of the floor and the installation team and size of the floor. Epoxy flooring has a very long lifespan lasting 10-15 years but with proper maintenance an epoxy floor can last 20+ years. Maintenance is as simple as cleaning it and adding an additional topcoat every 5-10 years. The epoxy coating is resinous and protects the concrete from cracking and degrading by absorbing into it as a liquid and curing out to a solid. Certain types of epoxy flooring protect against chemicals and UV. All epoxy flooring has a high abrasive resistance and impact resistance. You have unlimited choices as far as its decorative properties using either colored quarts with unlimited color options or vinyl chip with unlimited color options as well. You can change the size of the quartz granules or vinyl flakes to get different looks and strengths. There are also multiple pigments from flat to marbleized you can choose from. Epoxy flooring can be refinished in whatever design you desire.
· VINYL TILES
Cost is mid-ranged for vinyl tiles, and slightly higher for LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile). Vinyl tile has a mid-ranged life span and can rip and tear easily. If moisture gets into a tear this can also support bacteria growth and mold. Maintenance on vinyl tile can be either cleaning or adding a coat of wax. Vinyl tiles are not highly scratch or impact resistant. Wear and tear can be extensive over a period of a year to two. Chemicals can stain and scar the surface of vinyl tile. Over time the glue adhesive bonding the tiles to the concrete degrade and eventually break bond. Moisture plays a real factor in how fast a vinyl tile floor fails. Vinyl tile flooring cannot be refinished. You must remove it in its entirety to change your flooring preference
· CERAMIC
Basic ceramic install averages lower than vinyl tiles or epoxy flooring. Ceramic also has a long lifespan if you take care of it. Ceramic tiles have a high abrasive resistance. The biggest problem with ceramic tiles is they break and crack very easily. The glue bonding them to the concrete also fails quickly when moisture is introduced. Moisture can be a very big problem when a ceramic tile has been cracked and moisture gets down under it. That causes a domino effect where the surrounding tiles de-bond and crack and break under normal foot traffic. Also, when a ceramic tile does de-bond it shifts and opens a crack where the tile meets the grout line. If you must replace your ceramic tile floor it is very difficult, messy and time consuming. You must remove the grout and the tiles are not recyclable.
From installation to wear and tear, epoxy, vinyl tiles, or ceramic tiles all have their pros and cons. The hard part is simply picking one that is right for you. Once you’ve chosen the kind of flooring that goes best with your needs, it’s time to choose from the available styles and colors.