I'm in the process of buying a house and just discovered that the flooring I thought was luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is actually wood-look porcelain tile. The tile is installed throughout the house, apart from a small laundry room and guest bath. I didn't realize porcelain tile was an option, and the home inspector mentioned it's usually tougher and pricier than LVP, which I suppose is a good thing? However, he also pointed out that it's harder underfoot and feels colder than wood or LVP. I plan to use area rugs in the bedroom and living room, and runners in the kitchen and bathroom.
Now, I'm wondering if this flooring is pretty waterproof and stain-resistant? I was drawn to LVP because of its scratch resistance. Additionally, I found the floors to look quite smudged—definitely not as clean as during my first visit. Do you think a robot vacuum with mopping capability would be a good option for maintaining this type of flooring?
2 Answers
Tile is a solid option! I’m actually putting in wood-look tile in my remodel this year. It generally outperforms cheap LVP since LVP can scratch and buckle over time, especially in busy areas. Looks like the previous homeowners took good care of the place—good sign for you!
It's just tile, so don’t stress too much. You might be thinking it’s less durable than LVP, but that's not the case. Porcelain tile is actually quite tough against scratches and water. Plus, it’s a solid choice for homes, especially if they're pets or have heavy foot traffic!
Got it, thanks for easing my mind! I'm a first-time buyer, so all this is new to me.
Thanks for the tip! I do have two dogs—will it hold up against their claws?