Which is more durable for a kitchen floor, ceramic tile or laminate?

My opinion is tile is the way to go. I would recommend Porcelain tile as it is more dense and stronger than a ceramic tile. There is a rating system called the "PEI" for porcelain tile.

The PEI rating will show the strength and density of the tile: --Quote-- Group 0: Tiles technically unsuitable for floors. These are generally used as wall tile. Group 1 or PEI 1: Tiles suitable only for locations where softer footwear is worn or where shoes are not frequently used, for e.g. , residential bathroom or other areas with light traffic.

Also for interior commercial and residential walls. Group 2 or PEI II: Tiles suited for general residential traffic. For areas that are walked on by soft soled or �normal� footwear with very small amounts of scratching dirt.

Not for kitchen, entrance halls, stairs and other areas subjected to heavy traffic. Group 3 or PEI 3: Tiles suited for all residential and light commercial areas such as offices, reception areas, boutiques, interior walls, countertops and residential bathroom floors. Not recommended for commercial entryway.

Group 4 or PEI 4: Tiles suited for regular traffic. Recommended for medium commercial and light institutional use, such as restaurants, hotels, hospital lobbies and corridors. Group 5 or PEI 5: Tiles suitable for areas with heavy traffic, abrasive dirt and moisture, and where safety and maximum performance are required.

Examples are shopping malls, public buildings, building entrances, swimming pools, or shopping centers. --/Quote-- taken from http://flooring.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/How_is_Porcelain_Tile_Rated_for_Hardness.aspx --Quote-- Advantages of Porcelain Tile Flooring Porcelain tile flooring can easily endure heavy foot traffic at both residential and commercial locations while not reducing its color and beauty! It is used for many decorative and functional purposes but regarded as an ideal choice for flooring applications.

Some of the advantages of porcelain tile flooring are mentioned below: * Porcelain tile is both harder and denser than many other ceramic tile products * Porcelain tile is frost-resistant, and often frost-proof * Porcelain tile is highly resistant to stain, scratch, and moisture * Porcelain tile is a hard wearing material which is resistant to harsher cleaning agents, scratches, stains, fading, heavy loads and fire. * Porcelain tile is available in glazed as well as unglazed varieties. * It is strong and long-lasting.

* It can be easily installed in heavy traffic areas (Group 4 and 5). * Porcelain tile flooring is aesthetically pleasing. * It has a high breaking strength.

Porcelain contains less clay and more feldspar (a mineral). It�s also pressed at a higher pressure. * Porcelain tile flooring has low water absorption.

Therefore, less staining occurs on these floors and they are easier to clean. * Porcelain tile flooring offers a wide range of colors and textures, and many different designs and styles. Professionals can produce an accurate recreation of the look of natural stone, granite, slate, travertine, limestone, marble, quartzite, terracotta and even woods and metals.

* Porcelain tile flooring can be easily maintained. For this reason it is a practical choice for flooring in any room in the house as it needs no polishing, waxing, or sealing, and can be cleaned easily with a damp mop. --/Quote-- taken from: http://flooring.builddirect.com/Porcelain-Tile/Ceramic-Tile-Articles/Advantages_of_Porcelain_Tile_Flooring.aspx Cracking problems in a tile floor is due to poor sub floor installation.

If the sub floor is not strong enough (to thin and/or nailed down instead of screwed down) it will cause movement in the floor and it is the movement that can cause the grout to crack or the tiles themselves to crack. Also using an improper tile can cause problems as well, i.e. Using a tile meant for wall installation for floor use.

A good sub floor is two layers of 5/8 tongue and groove plywood. These layers should be screwed down with two inch wood screws. You should screw down directly into the floor joists every two inches and every four inches over the rest of the sub floor.

Some issues I have with laminate floor in a kitchen or bathroom. Water and moisture are the main issues. You can buy a water barrier glue to use when you install the laminate, however to me this is not a good enough way to secure the floor against water and moisture.

There are different grades and qualities of laminate floor. Laminate floor is a product along the line of, you get what you pay for.In my opinion Armstrong is the best choice for laminate floor. Armstrong's choice of color and pattern is very good as well as the construction process they use (heat AND pressure) ensures a top quality product.

I have cited sources I trust and line up with what I learned from a journeyman carpenter/home builder. Also I did the flooring myself in my entire house. I will look for some good online resources.

Other than the cracking issue discussed above, I would say that ceramic tile, good quality, properly installed, is the way to go, mostly it's just personal opinion, but after all my years in professional kitchens the clean up and durability of a good tile floor can't be beat.

Ceramic Tile. Reason (comparing to laminate): - Cheaper. - Lower maintenance cost.

- Harder. - Durable. - Easy to keep clean.

I think laminating would be wise. Because laminate flooring is durable, fashionable, easy to install, cost effective and time saving. Laminate floors are also a good option for a do-it-yourself installation for anybody.It is a more hassle-free alternative than ceramic tile.

It is also easy to clean and can easily fit in with your home décor. You can choose the color, texture, and design to match with your interior decoration.

My kitchen floor is not level enough for ceramic tile. If it where, I would choose ceramic tile over laminate. I am 10 years into a laminate floor.It's really beat up.

It's gouged from when we moved the refrigerator and when a heavy bowl fell on it. It's discolored in places. I don't think that this would have happened with tile, although when the bowl fell, the tile might have broken.

If you buy tile, remember to purchase several extra pieces. It will be hard to find the same tile in the future.

Ceramic tiles as they are more hygienic easy to clean and replace where as laminates tend to fold , have some difficulty to clean and replace.

Ceramic tile lasts longer and is water resistant. But remember it can be a slip hazard. Laminate doesn't last as long.

Ceramic tile can crack on impact AND you have the nightmare of grout. Grout is a complete hassle to clean, and it never has the same bright color a few weeks after its been installed. Laminate on the other hand is really cheap looking.

Why don't you consider Pergo-type flooring. It behaves similar to laminate (in that the surface is easy to clean and pretty much doesn't show any nicks from impacts). I actually saw in a recent catalog that Ikea now sells a laminate flooring from 65 cents a square foot.

That is the best deal I have seen so far and it will look much better than laminate and will not create a clean-up hassle like you get with ceramic's grout.

The durability of tiles are ranked using a grade system. The lowest grade of strength being I and the greatest level of strength would be V. Today the internet and discount tile supply stores are a fantastic option for getting great prices on tiles, but beware that not all packages will be properly labeled to distinguish a grade.

With respect to durability, a grade III or higher glazed ceramic tile is an excellent solution for flooring in any kitchen for many reasons, mainly that it is very strong and can outlast almost any flooring product on the market today if installed properly and well maintained. For expert-speak on the best flooring for your kitchen, refer to the following articles: Overwhelmed by kitchen floor options? realestate.syracuse.com/?classification=... LAKE CABINET & FLOORING lakecabinet.com/Flooring6.htm Kitchen Flooring Options - What Are Today's Choices?

http://ezinearticles.com/?Kitchen-Flooring-Options---What-Are-Todays-Choices?&id=1451860.

If you are just talking about durability, both are an ideal choice. Ceramic tiles has grades of durability although it might be a bit cold during cold mornings. Laminate are made with a high density backboard then over covered with a picture-like layer to give it the wood feel when you look at it.

Hope this helps!

Ceramic tiles tend to smash over time as in horrible cracks but my laminate that I now use is warping some how and is moving apart from each other so to answer your question neither of mine wear laid properly arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.