{
  "slug": "tile-vs-lvp-flooring",
  "title": "Tile vs LVP Flooring Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Tile vs LVP Flooring Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tile-vs-lvp-flooring",
  "summary": "Compare install cost, durability, and replacement cycles for tile versus luxury vinyl plank.",
  "description": "Tile costs more to install (materials plus skilled labor) but essentially never wears out under normal use. LVP installs faster and cheaper, and can look nearly identical, but has a finite wear layer that eventually needs replacement. This calculator compares total cost including expected replacement cycles over your chosen ownership horizon.",
  "formula": "Tile Total = Install Cost (one-time, negligible replacement). LVP Total = Install Cost × Replacement Cycles over Horizon.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=tile-vs-lvp-flooring",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "sqft",
      "label": "Square footage",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 500,
      "unit": "sqft",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "tilePerSqft",
      "label": "Tile install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 12,
      "unit": "$/sqft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "lvpPerSqft",
      "label": "LVP install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 6,
      "unit": "$/sqft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "lvpLife",
      "label": "LVP lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 1,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "horizon",
      "label": "Comparison horizon",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 60
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Lower total cost option",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "tileTotal",
      "label": "Tile total cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "lvpTotal",
      "label": "LVP total cost (with replacements)",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "diff",
      "label": "Difference",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Square footage: 500 sqft",
      "Tile install cost: 12 $/sqft",
      "LVP install cost: 6 $/sqft",
      "LVP lifespan: 18 yrs",
      "Comparison horizon: 30 yrs"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Lower total cost option: LVP",
      "Tile total cost: $6,000",
      "LVP total cost (with replacements): $6,000",
      "Difference: $0"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter square footage (sqft).",
      "Enter tile install cost ($/sqft).",
      "Enter lvp install cost ($/sqft).",
      "Enter lvp lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter comparison horizon (yrs).",
      "Read your lower total cost option on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 300,
        "tilePerSqft": 7.199999999999999,
        "lvpPerSqft": 3.5999999999999996,
        "lvpLife": 11,
        "horizon": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 500,
        "tilePerSqft": 12,
        "lvpPerSqft": 6,
        "lvpLife": 18,
        "horizon": 30
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 800,
        "tilePerSqft": 19.200000000000003,
        "lvpPerSqft": 9.600000000000001,
        "lvpLife": 29,
        "horizon": 48
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Is tile really a one-time cost?",
      "a": "Individual tiles can crack and be replaced, but a properly installed tile floor rarely needs full replacement — this model treats it as effectively permanent over a 30-60 year horizon."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is LVP waterproof like tile?",
      "a": "Most modern rigid-core LVP is fully waterproof and suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, though seams can still allow moisture intrusion over time in heavy-use wet areas."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which is better for resale value?",
      "a": "Tile in bathrooms and entries is generally viewed as a permanent upgrade by buyers; LVP is accepted as a good quality flooring but doesn't carry the same premium as tile or hardwood."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/laminate-vs-hardwood-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tile-installation-cost-calculator"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Tile vs LVP Flooring Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tile-vs-lvp-flooring)"
}