Mudroom tile flooring: Types, pros and cons

There are several types of mudroom tile flooring that look good—and are durable enough!—for an entryway. This mudroom tile flooring guide can help you choose the best mudroom tile for your space, and keep it looking great.

Luxury vinyl tile

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is not a stone tile, but it is a top choice for mudrooms. This mudroom flooring is durable and available in styles that resemble tile and wood. LVT flooring can be installed with or without grout and can withstand frequent spills, high foot-traffic (and paw traffic), and all the water and debris that gets tracked in. For do-it-yourselfers, some vinyl products are made with an interlocking system that is easy to install. (Ask a flooring professional to see DIY-friendly luxury vinyl tiles.)

The only disadvantage of luxury vinyl tile is that most products cannot be installed in unheated mudrooms. There is some minimal risk of scratching to this mudroom tile flooring, but can be avoided with felt pads on furniture and regular sweeping or vacuuming.

Pro: Maintenance-free, available in a wide variety of styles, durable, easy-to-clean, affordable, can be a DIY install

Con: Not a good choice for unheated mudrooms

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is a common mudroom tile flooring choice because of its affordability and wide variety of styles available. If it is glazed, these tiles are durable, easy-to-clean, and typically lasts for a long time. Though ceramic tile is similar to porcelain tile, it comes with some notable differences.

Unlike porcelain tile, ceramic tile cannot withstand the extreme temperatures of an unheated mudroom. It may also absorb water.

Pro: Maintenance-free, available in a wide variety of styles, durable, easy-to-clean, affordable

Con: Can’t be installed in unheated mudrooms, may absorb water

Porcelain tile

Porcelain tile is one of the toughest mudroom flooring tiles on the market and even holds up in an unheated mudroom. It is naturally water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for mudrooms where water, snow, and ice are routinely tracked in. This tile requires no maintenance and easy-to-clean with a regular sweep or vacuum. Porcelain tile also conducts the heat of underfloor heating very well.

Another benefit of porcelain tile is that it can be a fairly easy install. Do-it-yourselfers only need a few tools and thorough porcelain tile installation instructions to add it to a mudroom. It is fairly inexpensive, and is a good mudroom flooring tile option for those on a tight budget.

If porcelain tile has a con, it is that the grout installed with the tile can be hard-to-clean and may show stains if it is light-colored. Dark grout can hide stains, though may need some “elbow grease” to clean periodically.

Pro: Maintenance-free, available in a wide variety of styles, durable, water-resistant, easy-to-clean, affordable, can be installed in unheated mudrooms, can be a DIY install

Con: None

Cement tile

Cement tile is a very popular mudroom tile flooring choice for rooms because it comes in unique patterns. It is normal for those patterns to wear over time and develop a natural patina. If there is any concern about wear and tear, many ceramic and porcelain tiles are available with the same beautiful patterns as cement tile. (Ask a flooring professional to compare these two mudroom tile floorings.)

In addition to beautiful, these tiles naturally conduct heat from underfloor heating. Cement tile is very durable and easy-to-clean, though it does require maintenance to withstand the heavy foot traffic of a mudroom.

These tiles require a regular resealing to prevent the absorption of water. Even after resealing, cement tiles are prone to damage from regular wear and tear and water spills. It is also very heavy, and may need additional structure under it to support the tiles.

Pro: Available in a wide variety of styles, durable, easy-to-clean

Con: Needs maintenance

Marble and travertine

Marble and travertine are two stone tiles that add an upscale look to a mudroom. They are very expensive, though, and may not wear as well as other mudroom flooring tile choices.

Marble, in particular, is very soft and can be damaged. Travertine is longer-lasting, though it may need to be sealed because it is porous. If there are any concerns about durability, there are porcelain and ceramic tiles made with the same look as these gorgeous stone tiles.

Pro: Adds an upscale look, easy-to-clean

Con: Expensive, needs maintenance, porous, prone to scratching