Ceramic Tile Flooring Pros and Cons: Could This Be the Tile of Your Dreams?

When choosing a new floor for your kitchen, you need an option durable enough to withstand all that foot traffic to the refrigerator, but modern enough to give the heart of your home the upgrade it deserves. Ceramic tile floors surely fit this bill: they’re versatile, durable, and affordable. 

Deciding whether ceramic tiles are best for your new floors will ultimately come down to your style preferences and budget. Here are the key pros and cons of ceramic tile to help you make the most informed decision about your next floor update.

What Is Ceramic Tile Flooring?

Bake or fire fine clay in a kiln at an extremely high temperature and you’ll get ceramic tile. Most tiles also adorn a glass-like-colored glaze, which creates unique pieces in various tile shapes, colors, and patterns. More modern options include natural stone and wood finishes, perfect for homeowners who yearn for a custom floor design.

Tile floors are also impervious to water, thanks to the grout that’s sealed between the joints. This feature has made them popular in kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and entryway foyers. In warmer climates, you’ll often find it in living areas and even bedrooms.

Pros of Ceramic Tile Floors

Tile offers many versatile features that make it a good choice for your next floor covering. Explore some of the advantages of ceramic tile floors below.

They Can Withstand Heavy Foot Traffic

The intense firing process makes ceramic tiles harder to crack than porcelain or stone tiles. They stand up well to dirt, mud, spills, splashes, and heavy foot traffic in your kitchen or bathrooms. A quality tile flooring installation done by a tile installation pro near you, when properly maintained, should last at least 20 years, which could add long-term value to your property.

They’re Affordable on Any Budget

Tile tends to be more cost-effective than alternatives like natural hardwood. While you can find low-end ceramic tiles for as little as $0.50 per square foot and high-end tiles for as much as $15, most quality tile products cost $2 to $10 per square foot. When finalizing your budget, be sure to account for additional installation costs such as labor, tools, and supplies.

You Can Choose From a Variety of Designs

Ceramic tile comes in countless colors, patterns, and finishes, from subtle neutrals to bold mosaics. Modern printing technology has also led to styles that mimic concrete, wood, and marble. You can create a truly custom look by cutting your tile into planks or larger squares to make your space feel more open.

They’re Easy to Clean and Water-Resistant

The extremely hard, solid surface of ceramic tile makes it easy to wipe clean dirt and grime with a duster, vacuum, or mop. Sugary drinks and other liquids won’t absorb into the tile, either. This is especially important on a bathroom or kitchen floor, where spills and splashes are common. 

Water resistant flooring also withstands high-humidity, so you won’t have to worry about your floors warping during muggier seasons.

They’re Allergen-Resistant

Whether or not ceramic tile is glazed, it’s usually sealed with a protective layer after installation. For the same reason tile is resistant to water, stains, and spills, it is also resistant to  pollen, dust, and mold. Allergen particles are easy to spot and remove, making tile a great choice for family members with allergies or asthma.

Cons of Ceramic Tile Floors

The durability and moisture-resistant features of ceramic tile come at a price. It’s important to also be aware of the drawbacks of ceramic tile before you choose your next surface to update.

They Require Maintenance to Prevent Moisture

The grout lines between tiles close the gaps between tiles, but they are also prone to moisture. You’ll need to ensure that your tiles are properly sealed at all times to prevent water from absorbing into your tile, weakening your installation, or causing mold growth. If a spill stains your grout, you’ll need to clean your tile with a scouring powder to restore it.

They’re Not Very Comfortable to Walk On

Ceramic tile doesn’t hold heat well and tends to feel cold underfoot, which is something no homeowner wants to feel in the throes of winter. Tile’s hardness can also be uncomfortable in areas where people stand for long periods, such as in front of the sink or stovetop. Luckily, a few strategically placed area rugs and cushioned mats can help absorb some of that discomfort.

The Surface Is Less Forgiving

Although the durability of tile is great for ensuring your floor lasts longer, it also means that any glass or dish you drop is almost guaranteed to shatter upon impact. Tile’s smooth, flat surface is also slippery when wet—something to consider in kitchens and bathrooms, where spills and heavy foot traffic often go hand in hand. 

There are pros and cons to using ceramic tile on your floors. If you still have questions about your home’s specific needs, you can consult with a flooring professional to determine whether ceramic tile is the best fit for you or if there are better alternatives you should explore.

What to Consider Before Installing Ceramic Tile Flooring

After weighing the pros and cons, consider the below before investing in a new flooring installation project:

Room Where New Tile Will Go

Ceramic tile can work for almost any type of room, but avoid using it in rooms that frequently handle standing water like a bathroom, shower floor, or outdoor space. If you’ve already fallen in love with a ceramic tile, using it as wall tile can be a fair compromise to avoid any water damage risk. 

Tile Texture and Color

Ceramic tiles come in a variety of textures and colors. While most homeowners base their choice on personal preference, it can also provide grip and reduce the risk of slipping, making it a good fit for higher traffic areas like a kitchen or mudroom. On the flip side, it also means dirt and grime can get easily trapped within the tile. Picking a textured tile for a high foot traffic room could mean spending many weekends scrubbing to keep your tile clean.

Grout Lines

Speaking of cleaning, your grout line color and size will play a big role in how long you can go between cleanings. For example, a bright white grout line will start to fade after a few months. Most installers recommend between 1/8 to 1/4 inches, but grout lines can be as thin as 1/16 inches. Your tile may be limited in how small of a grout it can use, so check with your installer about any limitations.

Alternatives to Ceramic Tile Flooring 

There are several alternatives to consider if you’re not sure that ceramic tile flooring is right for you. 

Porcelain

For a similar look with added durability, porcelain is a type of ceramic that’s fired at higher temperatures for increased strength, density, and water-resistance. Porcelain is more difficult and more expensive to install, but the added durability can offset these costs.

Stone

Stone is one of many types of tile that’s easy to clean and is very durable. Plus, it can offer a unique look to your floors. Popular stone tiles include marble, travertine, and slate.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a popular tile for bathroom floors, in particular, because of its water-resistant properties. Like ceramic, it’s also easy to install for DIYers and less expensive than other alternatives, like stone or porcelain.

Wood

If you want to redo your kitchen or bathroom floors, you don’t have to stick with tile. You can also opt for classic hardwood or engineered wood floors for a more traditional look. Just keep in mind that while ceramic tiles and some alternatives (like vinyl) are easy to clean and maintain, keeping your wood floors in good condition requires frequent cleaning and regular resealing. 

How Much Does Ceramic Tile Flooring Cost?

Ceramic tile installation costs $1,300 to $7,500, or $4 and $15 per square foot for glazed tiles. The total cost will depend on the size of the room, the type of ceramic tile you choose, and whether you need other work done, like subfloor repairs or removal of existing tiles.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Ceramic tile is considered more DIY-friendly than other types of tile, like stone or porcelain, because it’s easier to cut. DIY ceramic tile floor installation may take around 10 hours, not including the time you need to remove old tiles and let the grout dry. Even if you already have the tiling tools you need, like tile cutters, a grout float, and a notched trowel, just to name a few, you’ll spend $500 to $1,000 in materials alone for this project.

It may be more cost-effective, not to mention time-saving, to hire a local ceramic tile installer to take on this project. The pros have the tools needed to get the job done well, and you can avoid costly mistakes by hiring a trusted expert with experience in tiling.