Carpet tiles or vinyl flooring which is better for me?

Carpet tiles and vinyl flooring are both good choices for floor coverings for business premises and in the home. Which one is better depends very much on the type of room, the budget and the style that appeals to you. Each type of floor coverings has its pros and its cons.

The pros of vinyl

Vinyl is inexpensive flooring that is quick to install. It is suitable for both commercial and domestic flooring. The two main grades of tiles are the more affordable vinyl composite tiles (VCT) and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).

Easy to install, vinyl can be laid down in tiles or strips which are usually glued, but loose lay vinyl is available.

Vinyl is easy to keep clean and maintain, In busy areas, it will get dirty but can easily be mopped clean.

It’s a durable floor covering too. In high-footfall areas use tiles, with PUR coating that provides extra scuff and scratch resistance.

Hygiene is a consideration too, and vinyl will not trap dirt. This makes it suitable for food preparation areas and health centres. There are many vulnerable elderly residents in Chester, North Wales and Wrexham who need floors that can easily be kept clean and hygienic.

Reassuringly for people living in wet or flood-prone areas, vinyl is more water-resistant than carpets but, like all floor coverings, it may get damaged if immersed in water for prolonged periods. It is fine in bathrooms and entrances where people come in from rainy North Wales and Chester days.

Vinyl cons

A sticking point for some is that vinyl does not feel as warm as carpet tiles and feels harder underfoot. Although vinyl does not absorb noise like carpets, an insulating underlay can be used for some sound insulation.

Vinyl can look like stone or wood but is not available in as many colours and patterns as carpet tiles.

Carpet tile pros

Carpet tiles are popular in offices as they feel warmer and look and feel like carpet. They are suitable for rooms where some areas have more footfall than others. When an area becomes worn, you can simply replace it with new carpet tiles.

Tiles have insulating qualities that improve room acoustics and can contribute to lower heating bills.

A big plus for many is that carpet tiles are available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Rooms can feature one colour, or contrasting colour tiles can create bold patterns.

Carpet tile cons

Carpet tiles are not as easy to clean as vinyl. Regular vacuuming is required along with an occasional deep clean. Some carpet tiles will stain if liquids like coffee or wine are spilt, but you can purchase stain-resistant carpet tiles.

Tiles need to be laid expertly otherwise seams will be more visible. Cheaper carpet tiles will not last as long as vinyl, but commercial grade tiles will last significantly longer.

Which is better?

Carpet tiles and vinyl both have drawbacks and benefits. Which one is better depends on your personal taste and what type of activity takes place in the room. You can use both in a commercial space, perhaps plumping for vinyl for active areas and carpet tiles for more relaxed zones.