Hardwood Flooring vs. Ceramic Tile

When deciding on a flooring option for your kitchen, bathroom, or foyer, you generally have two quality options beyond carpet: Porcelain/Ceramic Tile or Hardwood. If you've decided not to go with the carpet option, the great debate is whether to install Ceramic Tile or Hardwood. Several factors precipitate which option works best for your home.

Climate

Hardwood is psychologically warmer, softer, and quieter than ceramic tile. The warm rustic look of red oak or cherry conjures the image of a fluffy area rug in front of the fireplace, a haven for those who endure long northern winters.

Wood is also physically warmer to the touch than porcelain tile because wood is porous and quicker to adapt to the  temperature of a room. For example, if the heater is running, the wood will absorb the warmth. Tile, on the other hand, is cold to the touch, in part because it retains the temperate of the most recent long-term environment. Ceramic tile is resistant to warmth in much the same way as stone.  If you've ever stepped inside a European cathedral in the summer, you've noticed the significant cooling in temperature from the hot outdoors. This is because stone “holds” cold in much the same way as ceramic.

(c) Ernie's in Ceresco - a kitchen with hardwood flooring

Hardwood also complements the look of traditional home exteriors in places like the Northeast, durable ranch homes in the Midwest, and the cool sea climate in the Pacific Northwest.  Homes in these areas tend to have different styles and colors than, say, beachy southern coastal homes. Cool climate exteriors are usually made of brick, white painted wood, or vinyl siding, which crave the look of subdued hardwood.

Desert homes of the Southwest and coastal homes with palm trees in the back yard are likely to choose ceramic tile for the bathroom, kitchen, and foyer areas, because they are a haven to those who endure long hot summers most of the year. These homes are usually made of stucco or vinyl siding, in pastel or desert colors. Tile is a refreshing change from the oppressive heat of the outdoors.

(c) Ernie's in Ceresco - a kitchen with Ceramic Tile

More color options exist for tile – light, cooler earthy hues, that are usually “louder” than their hardwood counterparts. As a result, tile complements the exteriors of many homes in warm climates.

Durability

“There’s no question that tile is more durable and long lasting,” says Jerry Taff, Flooring Manager at Ernie’s in Ceresco, a large home furnishings store in Eastern Nebraska. “It doesn't scratch and will stand up to just about anything.”

Ceramic tile is often ideal for an active household because it is long lasting and can stand up better to day to day, consistent wear and tear. An active family with children tends to cause more damage and scratches to their floor than, say, an empty-nest couple. Every time ice cubes fall onto the floor from the refrigerator, for example, this won’t faze the durability of tile or cause mold to occur.  

“Hardwood flooring is less durable and less scratch resistant than tile,” says Taff. When scratching and gouging occur, it will be more noticeable on darker stained floors. On the whole, however, these scratches aren't usually noticed by visitors. The type of finish on the hardwood is also significant; glossy floors tend to highlight marks more than satin finishes.

Still, some say that scratches become part of the patina of their hardwood floor and don’t mind them. However, hardwood floors should not be exposed to continuous moisture;  spilled ice cubes from the refrigerator, leaks from the dishwasher, and water that splashes from the bathtub onto the floor should be wiped up immediately to prevent moisture damage.

With hardwood flooring, there is a better chance that a dropped item won’t break, but the floor will get nicked. Likewise, if you drop an item on a tiled floor, it’s more likely to break, but is less likely to hurt the floor.

Comfort

Hardwood is softer and therefore easier on someone who spends a lot of time on their feet in the kitchen. For someone with back or foot problems, this could be a significant quality of life decision. Hardwood is also safer for kids and toddlers, who often fall; hitting a hardwood floor causes less injuries than a tile floor would.

However, foam mats in key areas can be used to mitigate discomfort if you’re standing for long periods of time in a tiled room. If you live in an oppressively warm climate, the cool touch of tile of tile as you walk into the room can provide another level of comfort.

Hardwood is generally easier to clean than tile because there are no grout lines, but this depends upon the quality of installation and other factors as well. If a tile floor is installed properly, maintenance can be a breeze. Never use water to clean your hardwood floors – the moisture will cause the wood to expand and warp. For tile, water can be used for cleaning.

Cost of New Flooring and Damage Control

Quality tile is more expensive than hardwood flooring. Don’t be fooled by the listed prices in the store for tile versus hardwood; the materials alone are actually less expensive for tile. The cost of labor to install tile increases the overall price significantly.

Before considering the option to install tile yourself or hire an inexpensive but inexperienced installer, keep in mind that this will cost much more in the long run. Quality floor prep is key to a successful installation. If the floor isn't leveled properly or if tile is installed over plywood, for example, it’s only a matter of time before tiles crack. When this happens, the only quality solution is to remove the tiles and re-float the floor properly, then re-lay the tiles. If only one tile is damaged, a band-aid option can be implemented by replacing the missing tile - always purchase extras for this purpose – and then re-grouting it by using a matching tint so that it blends in with the other tiles. It’s only a matter of time before the entire floor will need to be replaced at a significant cost.

Hardwood floors will need to be refinished every 10 years or so; the cost for this is not significant. However, if you get water damage, the wood will expand and the floor boards will buckle. A dehumidification process is usually performed unless the floor boards must be pulled to allow the subfloor to dry completely. This is also very expensive.

For either flooring option, quality materials, quality installation, and personal maintenance are key to the longevity and cost of your hardwood or tile floor. 

Ernie’s in Ceresco has a large selection of flooring options in its showroom and warehouse. Located in Eastern Nebraska, Ernie’s in Ceresco is the largest family owned total home furnishings store in the state.


By Theresa Tvrdy