You've Come a Long Way, Vinyl Tile

This winter - arguably one of the chilliest we've seen in years - I was continually reminded of what a good idea it was to install groutable vinyl tile in my kitchen instead of stone or ceramic.  Not only is it inexpensive and easy to install, but it isn't freezing underfoot in the morning like stone or ceramic tile is after a chilly night.  I've used groutable vinyl tile in three properties now, including my own home, and in each case buyers and visitors have refused to believe that the floor is made out of vinyl tile.  A combination of higher quality material with more variation, beveled edges, and leaving space for grout makes these tiles almost indistinguishable from ceramic tile.   Vinyl tile costs about $1 per square foot (1/3 or less what comparable ceramic tile costs per square foot), and has lower installation costs - all you need to cut and shape tiles is a good utility knife.  The photo to the left is a vinyl tile floor in a kitchen I renovated in Medford (the kitchen reno was still in process when the photo was taken, as you can see, but this is the best shot I have of the floor.)  Vinyl tile is also great because it is a fairly thin material and is lightweight and flexible, so it can cover over small imperfections in the smoothness of the floor surface without the need to lay or pour a new subfloor.  If you try to do that with ceramic tile, you'll have a bunch of cracked and broken tiles on your hand.  So, here's to you groutable vinyl tile.  My feet and my budget thank you.