Residential Epoxy vs Tile Flooring (A Guide for Homeowners)

The arrival of epoxy floors in recent years has taken the entire interior home decor industry by storm. Its beauty, strength, and versatility have made it one of the most popular choices when choosing flooring options.

However, tried and tested solutions, such as ceramic tile installation, are still holding their own on the market. This has made flooring one of the trickiest parts of custom home design or renovation.

If you need help choosing the best type of flooring for your home, you have come to the right place. As experts in epoxy installation and long-standing supporters of traditional flooring solutions, Canadian Concrete Surfaces can help you boost the market value of your home by choosing suitable floors.

This guide will look at the major differences between epoxy and tiled flooring. By the end of the article, you will have a better understanding of the merits of each option and which one you need to select for your home.

Seven Quick Facts About Epoxy Flooring

Before going further, here are a few facts about residential epoxy flooring that you need to know:

1. The epoxy coating comes with UV protection, meaning the colouring will not turn yellow or start to fade after being exposed to the sun.
2. Studies have shown epoxy floors to be stronger than concrete flooring, which is great if you want to store heavy items in the room.
3. The durability and scratch resistance of epoxy floors is quite impressive.
4. Spillages are not a concern with epoxy flooring because the surface is highly resistant to household chemicals and oils.
5. There is a wide variety of options to choose from in terms of the colour and design of your epoxy floor.
6. The layers of epoxy resin are non-slippery, meaning these floors are very safe to walk on.
7. Epoxy floors are waterproof and food-safe, making them great for family homes where you would want to avoid bacterial growth.

Eight Must-know Facts About Tile Flooring

Regarding tile floors, here are eight facts that you need to understand:

1. Tiles are built to resist chemical spills and changes in temperature, making them great for outdoor installation.
2. The durability of tiles has been well-documented for many years, even when used in high-traffic areas.
3. Tile floors come in a wide variety of colours.
4. The smooth surface of tiles makes cleaning and maintenance easy.
5. There are grout lines between individual tiles that can be difficult to clean and maintain.
6. Tiled floors are prone to become cooler or warmer depending on the weather conditions.
7. If spillages occur, tiled floors can become quite slippery.
8. Tiles are heavy, making it risky to install them in larger spaces that are situated on top floors without checking the integrity of the house.

Comparing Epoxy Flooring Vs. Tiles

Regardless of which type of flooring you choose between these two design options, it is likely to be a significant investment. As such, the following comparisons are worth going over before you decide:

Ease of Maintenance and Cleaning

Both types of flooring can be described as low-maintenance and easy to clean. However, the presence of grouting on the floor surface of tiles makes them a bit more difficult to maintain.

As such, when it comes to ease of maintenance, removing tough stains and keeping your floors looking new, it is better to choose epoxy flooring over tiles. This seamless option is also popular in medical facilities that want to maintain a smooth, clean surface.

Just make sure that when you buy cleaning materials, you avoid harsh chemicals and consider their suitability for epoxy floors to help increase their lifespan.

Aesthetic

The aesthetics of epoxy floors is what usually catches the attention of many homeowners. With a wide range of different types of epoxy floor coating designs, it is hard to resist the allure of this vibrant addition of a glossy finish to your home.

However, traditional options such as mosaic and herringbone are still quite popular if you are leaning more towards tiled floors. You will still find such designs in many residential spaces across the country.

As such, the choice of aesthetics is about your taste rather than going for popular options.

Ease of Installation and Cost

You need to also consider how easy and affordable it will be to install the type of floor you choose. Installations of epoxy flooring cost less per square metre than tiling in most cases, even with the need to prepare the concrete floor underneath beforehand.

However, this seamless surface may be difficult to install without professional help. Also, the layers of epoxy resin will take some time to cure, which makes tiling the quicker option, but way less durable, and usually colder on the feet.

Longevity and Durability

If you are expecting high foot traffic, you will need a floor that will withstand heavy-duty wear. Epoxy has exceptional durability. However, epoxy resin provides the more durable option thanks to the chemical reaction used to make the material.

This further highlights the benefits of epoxy flooring material when dealing with areas of heavy traffic, such as the kitchen floor.

Residential, Commercial, or Industrial Setting

When flooring industrial spaces, you will have to think in terms of durability. However, with residential areas, commercial kitchens, and the like, it may be better to think in terms of aesthetics and cleanliness. You don’t want to create a breeding ground for bacteria that will result in an unsanitary environment.

As such, epoxy resin flooring would be an excellent choice for visual appeal, slip resistance (to reduce risk of slips at home or work), and the cleanliness of this flooring type.

Final Verdict

Thanks to the seamless finish, easy installation process, and decorative epoxy floor coatings, most people are moving away from traditional tiled floors. Having an epoxy kitchen or garage floor is the latest trend.

One place where you can get top-quality epoxy installation for your home is Concrete Surfaces. Call us today for a Free Estimate and enjoy the many advantages of epoxy flooring today.