Flooring · Kissimmee, FL
Both work in Florida. Porcelain tile is harder, cooler underfoot and effectively permanent, which is why it dominates in this state. Luxury vinyl plank is warmer, quieter, faster to install and far more forgiving of an uneven slab. We install both from our showroom in Kissimmee, so we have no reason to talk you into either one.
If you're covering a large open floor and you plan to stay in the house, porcelain tile is usually the better buy — it outlasts everything and Florida slabs suit it. If you want the job done quickly, you have pets or kids, or your slab isn't level, vinyl plank will make you happier. Neither choice is a mistake. The mistake is picking one because a salesperson only sold one of them.
It doesn't scratch, it doesn't fade in a room full of Florida sun, and it doesn't care about standing water. In a house with sliding doors that stay open, or a lanai that flows into the living room, tile is the material that stops being a decision. It also stays cool, which matters more here than most places.
It goes down faster, often over what's already there, so you're out of the house for less time. It's warmer and quieter to walk on, and it forgives a slab that isn't perfectly flat — which most Florida slabs aren't. If a dog's nails or a dropped pan is a regular event at your house, vinyl takes it better than people expect.
The slab underneath decides more than the material on top. Tile over an uneven slab cracks at the grout lines; vinyl over the same slab telegraphs every dip. That's why we measure and look at what's actually there before quoting anything — the floor you can see is rarely the whole story.
Nothing. We come out, measure the room and give you a written estimate — free, with no obligation to buy anything. Financing is available through Synchrony if you want it.
| Feature | Luxury vinyl plank | Porcelain tile |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness and scratch resistance | Good | Excellent |
| Standing water | Handles it | Unaffected |
| Underfoot in summer | Warm | Cool |
| Noise | Quiet | Echoes |
| Uneven slab | Forgiving | Needs leveling first |
| Install speed | Faster | Slower |
| Repairs | Plank can be swapped | Tile must be cut out |
| Expected life | Long | Effectively permanent |
Questions we get
Porcelain tile if you're covering a big open floor and staying put. Vinyl plank if you want it done fast, your slab isn't level, or you have pets. We install both and we'll tell you which one your house is asking for.
Often yes, which is part of why it's faster. Whether it works in your house depends on the condition of what's there — that's one of the things we check when we measure.
Not on its own. It cracks when the slab underneath moves or was never level. That's a preparation problem, not a tile problem, and it's why we look at the slab first.
The plank itself is. What matters more is what happens at the seams and edges over time, and that comes down to how it's installed.
Yes. Both are on the floor at our Orange Blossom Trail showroom at full size, and we'll bring samples to your house if you'd rather compare them in your own light.
3334 S Orange Blossom Trail, Kissimmee, FL 34746. Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. (407) 910-4737.
They removed the carpet, padding, and tackless in less than 2 hours, and started installing the floor immediately. They didn't stop until it was all installed, over 1200 square feet! They were meticulous, respectful, and a pleasure to have in my home.
Patrick Hahl1,200 sq ft of flooring · Google review