Tiles were the standard in bathrooms and kitchens for decades. Waterproof, durable, proven. But also: cold under bare feet, very hard, expensive to install, and a nightmare to replace. Vinyl flooring challenges this standard. And wins in surprisingly many categories.
The comparison: 10 categories
| Property | Vinyl flooring | Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Foot warmth | Warm, elastic, comfortable barefoot | Cold without underfloor heating, hard |
| Water resistance | 100% waterproof (SPC/EPC) | 100% waterproof |
| Impact sound | Damped (elastic + insulation) | Loud (hard, sound-reflecting) |
| Maintenance effort | Wipe with damp cloth, no grout care | Tiles are simple but grout yellows/molds |
| Installation | DIY, 1 day per room, possible on tiles | Professional needed, 3–5 days per room, drying time |
| Removal | Click vinyl: removable without residue | Extremely labor-intensive (chiseling, dust, disposal) |
| Total cost | 20–45 €/m² material, DIY installation | 30–80 €/m² material + 40–60 €/m² labor |
| Appearance | Wood, stone, concrete, herringbone, marble | Stone, mosaic, large format |
| Impact absorption | Elastic, cushions shocks | Hard, risk of breaking on impact |
| Lifespan | 15–25 years (depending on use/maintenance) | 30+ years (but grout needs renewing) |
Where Vinyl beats Tiles
Foot warmth: The everyday test
Barefoot in the bathroom in the morning. On tiles: shock. On vinyl: comfortable. This is not a luxury issue but daily quality of life. Vinyl feels warm even without underfloor heating because the material is elastic and doesn’t conduct heat away as quickly as ceramic.
Installation: A weekend instead of a construction site
Tiling is a professional job: mixing tile adhesive, setting spacers, drying, grouting, drying again. Three to five days per room, plus mess and noise. Click vinyl: prepare the subfloor, click in the planks, done. One room in an afternoon.
Costs: Vinyl saves on labor
Material costs for tiles and vinyl are similar. The difference is in installation: Tiles require a tiler (40–60 €/m²). You install vinyl yourself. For a 30 m² bathroom + kitchen, you save 1,200–1,800 € in labor costs.
Renovation: Installing Vinyl on Tiles
The biggest advantage in renovation: You can lay vinyl directly on the old tiles. No chiseling, no dust, no disposal costs. Requirement: Tiles must be firmly fixed, deep grout lines leveled. This saves time, money, and stress.
→ Installation Guide: Vinyl on Tiles
Vinyl directly on tiles – no chiseling or dust, done in a weekend.
Where Tiles Stay Better
Walk-in shower with direct water flow
In shower areas with direct water flow and standing water, tiled shower trays are still the standard. Adhesive vinyl works technically here, but the substrate sealing must be professionally done. In the rest of the bathroom, vinyl is the more comfortable alternative.
Outdoor areas and terraces
Tiles (porcelain stoneware) are suitable for outdoor areas; vinyl is not. UV exposure and temperature fluctuations outdoors are not suitable for vinyl flooring.
Absolute durability (30+ years)
Tiles themselves last for decades. The grout does not. If you want a floor for 30+ years and are willing to renew the grout every 10–15 years, tiles are a good long-term choice. Vinyl lasts 15–25 years but is cheaper and easier to replace.
Vinyl with tile look: The best of both worlds
If you want the look of tiles but the benefits of vinyl: Our Stone collections offer authentic concrete, slate, and marble looks in warm vinyl versions. Large-format tile designs look especially elegant.
→ SMARtec BASIC Stone | SMARtec PLUS Stone | EVOtec Stone
Waterproof tile look, but warm underfoot and no grout maintenance – the best of both worlds.
Conclusion: Tiles aren’t bad. Vinyl is often better.
Tiles have their place: outdoor areas, walk-in showers, maximum durability. For everything else, vinyl is the more modern, comfortable, affordable, and easier solution. If you’re renovating and want to get rid of old tiles, you don’t even have to remove them. Simply lay vinyl on top.
Discover now:
Further articles:
- Installing vinyl flooring: Guide for click vinyl and adhesive vinyl
- Vinyl flooring on underfloor heating: All collections compared
- The 5 biggest advantages of vinyl flooring
- Vinyl floor problems: The 7 most common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Which floor suits your interior style?
- Why do floor deliveries take longer?
Questions? Write to us or call. We’re happy to advise you.
Bodenberater@laminat-shop24.com
