Ceramic Tile Vs Saltillo Vs Laminate Advice
3/2 1300 s.f. CBS in Naples FL - stripped to concrete foundation and old vinyl-- needs all new floor covering
- what's cheapest, lasts a long time and adds the most value? ceramic, saltillo or laminate? what kind do you recommend? how much to pay for installation? any thoughts on DIY?
thanks!
suzee
Hi Suzee,
If this is going to be a rental then you have to decide how long you are going to keep it and at what point is it worth putting the extra money into.
For long term investments then go with the product in which you give you greater longevity for its price.
If this is fix and flip then go the cheapest.
With that said, I love tile.......its very durable, easy to install and easy to repair.
Price will vary from .69 cts. - $5.00 a square foot for the material itself. A good quality tile can run about $1.50 - $2.50..........however even the least expensive tile is better then the best vinyl on the market.
Tile is very easy to install........I tell people that if they know how to put peanut butter on a piece of bread then thats about all it takes. Home Depot and Lowes often offer free classes on how to install tile.
You can buy a cheap tile saw or rent one.......most of the tools can be purchased for less then $100.00.
You would be surprised at the amount of tools that pawn shops have........no need to buy new ones.
If can only guess what labor will be ....in your area but around here its about $4 - 7 per square foot depending on pattern, size of room and how cut up the rooms are.
Clients that I build custom homes for........this is the one area they often love for me to teach them. It's easy to do and very gratifying.
NC_Yank
- what's cheapest? - laminate, then ceramic, then saltilo
Lasts a long time? Saltilo, then ceramic, then laminate.
Adds the most value? Depends - You can buy some very expensive and intricate laid ceramic with inlay which would add way more value than the other two. Or if you are just comparing a basic saltillo and a basic ceramic then I would say Saltilo. Laminate would come in a distant third no matter what.
how much to pay for installation? Get some estimates, every locality is different.
any thoughts on DIY? Hardest to easiest - Saltilio, ceramic, laminate.
This is so helpful! I really can't thank you guys enough for sharing your wisdom and experience. So far, the best rate i can find for installation is $2/sf and cheapest tile is .88/sf for 16x16 porcelain. I'm still thinking about installing it myself.
Thanks again!