Tile Flooring Lifespan: 20 years with low quality tile/installation, 30-50+ with high quality tile and proper installation. How long does tile flooring last? One of the most versatile floor types, tile is incredibly resilient, especially to water, with proper maintenance.
Floor tiles are supposed to last anywhere from 30 to 50 years, depending on the quality of the ceramic. This is why ceramic tile floors are usually such a great choice. If you've moved into an older home and your tiles are decades old, they may already be entering into the end of their usable life span.
Tiles are well known for their durability and wear resistance, but they are not indestructible. If mistreated, or subjected to harsh conditions, or incorrectly selected for purpose, the glaze on a ceramic tile will scratch or wear away. There is a difference between wearing and scratching.
Good news! If you've chosen porcelain tiles for your flooring needs, your tile floor can last for decades. Porcelain tile is one of the longest lasting flooring options available on the market today.
Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
Most kinds of glazed porcelain, glazed ceramic, and terra cotta floor tile can last 50 years or more.
But floorings made from hardwood, bamboo, ceramic tiles, laminate, or vinyl are considered the most durable options.
Ceramic flooring is very resistant to physical damage but cracking can result from improper installation or problems with the tile underlayment.
The most durable flooring is granite, a natural stone. However, glazed porcelain flooring tiles are a great, low maintenance option too as they don't require annual sealing to upkeep their finish, this often means they are more budget friendly too.
Overall, tile flooring presents the best value and return on investment of any flooring option currently available. Tile lasts a lifetime, has fewer maintenance needs, provides the greatest number of design options, and encourages the best overall indoor air quality.
Depending on the quality of the flooring, laminate flooring can last between 15 to 25 years on average, or longer. Choosing the right flooring for your home is about more than just aesthetics, it's also about durability and strength.
If it comes loose under new tile, you could have new problems. Your new tile also has to be laid on a flat surface, so there would be a lot of preparation necessary to make the old tile surface perfectly flat. Your very best bet is to remove the old tile and the thin-set (the adhesive under it).
– Adhesive PVC tiles are composed of PVC panels that can be applied to the old tiles with a sticker. Waterproof and perfect for those who look for a DIY solution, they represent a cheap option. – A decorative sticker is another option for those who would like to cover the old, damaged tiles.
A big reason, arguably the most significant reason, floor tiles crack is because of the surface underneath it not being stable enough. Different subfloors can contract, expand, or flex depending on the material they're made from. You can also see cracks develop if the tile you purchased or had laid was of poor quality.
Cracked tiles are usually the result of other underlying issues, mostly likely incorrect installation. However, it could also be due to extreme temperature changes, cracks in the substrate (or surface the tile is laid on), supporting too much weight or something as simple as a heavy item being dropped on them.
Density & Durability
Porcelain tiles are denser than ceramic, and therefore less porous. Meaning they're harder, therefore more durable and absorb less water. This makes them more suited to high footfall areas which will see heavy use.
1. Hardwood Continues to Dominate. Hardwood has remained at the top of the podium for decades now and continues to dominate the home flooring industry.
Grade is the numerical ranking that reflects tile quality. Grade 1: Highest quality. Recommended for walls or floors. Grade 2: Similar to Grade 1, but with slight imperfections.
The biggest and most obvious advantage of wood-look tile for most homeowners is the cost. In most cases, tile is significantly cheaper than a traditional hardwood floor.
Life span: The good news about porcelain tiles is that they have an incredibly long lifespan if they are properly installed and maintained. If they are treated correctly, porcelain tiles can last 50 years in a residential setting.
Installing new tile is a multi-step process that typically takes 1-3 days, depending on the space and size of your project. First, you have to prep the surface, ensuring it is clean, flat, and ready for tile installation. Next, you set the tile with mortar based on your tile type.