Laminate	Desciption	Floor tile
/	Provides good value for money and a feeling of warmth using natural colours and designs	X
/	The material is very conducive for families with children and the elderly	X
/	The material offers long-life endurance with applicable product guarantees	X
/	The material prevents serious injury in impact reduction should accidental falls occur	X
/	The hard surface is resilient in preventing scratches and damage from the impact of fallen objects.	/
/	The material offers a variety of colours and patterns for any customer with discerning tastes	/
/	The material can withstand up to two to three hours of water-soaked floors	/
/	Damaged products can be easily replaced.	X

 

Flooring is one of the most important factors to ensure a beautiful looking home. There are assorted types of flooring materials but the most popular are laminate and tile. However, these two types of flooring have both advantages and disadvantages. To choose one over the other involves personal preference, suitability and safety.

The process used to manufacture residential laminate flooring is referred to as fusing. The four layers consist of an overlay layer, decorating paper, HDF or core board and backer paper. All are fused together in a single press operation at high temperatures. The thickness of the plank ranges from a width of 6-12 mm. and 195 x 1200 mm. length. Laminate flooring is more popular because of its beauty, durability and reasonable price point.  A wide range of colours and textures are readily available. They also closely resemble authentic hardwood flooring. It is a light weight product which can easily be installed or replaced if damaged. Laminate can also be fitted over ceramic tile floors; however, laminate flooring does have some disadvantages. If exposed to water for more than 12 hours, it can bend or swell and is susceptible to very sharp objects. A low-quality laminate can also be ruined by a termite infestation.

A tile is a popular flooring material because it is widely available and provides longevity. A tile is made from natural materials such as clay, stone and minerals through a high-heat process. Tiles are available in many sizes and patterns. Sizes range from 8 x 8 inches to 20 x 20 inches. The prominent features of tiles are their strength and durability. They are fire resistant, are easily installed and includes a selection of numerous colours. The surface of the tiles provides a cooling effect from the heat outdoors. They are also easy to care for in terms of cleaning. However, when tiles become wet, some can become quite slippery which can be a safety concern, especially for the elderly. Lastly, if accidentally broken, it is not as easily repaired as compared to laminate flooring.
Both above mentioned flooring materials have their advantages and disadvantages. To choose which one is best suited to the home owner depends on their own personal taste and preference.