Peel and Stick Tile, Is it any good?

I get this question a lot, and the short answer is no it is not good, but let me explain why.

Okay, I may get yelled at for this one, but do not ever use peel and stick tile. But Daniel, it's so easy to install. It’s easy to cut. It’s easy to work with. It’s Cheap. Yes, all those are true, but let me list for you the reasons you don’t use it.

Reason #1: If you are looking for a tile look it probably is in 4 locations; Kitchen, bathroom, fireplace, or possibly the laundry room. Am I right? Three of these locations have high moisture and one has high heat. Moisture and heat affects the adhesive quality of these tiles. I can’t tell you how many customers I have had to tear out a DIY peel and stick tile and put in actual tile. With the moisture, or heat, the tile bubbles and begins to fall off. The peel and stick tile may be ok in a different room than what is listed above, but my recommendation is to avoid at all cost the temptation of the peel and stick tile.

Reason #2: Peel and stick tile has a high chance of getting mold behind it. This peel and stick tile very rarely gets a good seal in every square inch. This creates air pockets. These air pockets trap humidity which promotes mold growth. If I am tearing off peel and stick tile, I always wear a mask because the potential of mold behind it is very high. When you use actual ceramic tile, it is held in place by a mastic type glue. This glue is applied, depending on the size tile, with grooves. When you place the tile onto the mastic glue and push it in place it squeezes the grooves flat creating a suction cup effect on the tile and eliminating all air bubbles.

Reason #3: But it's cheap. Not necessarily, yes, the labor is cheaper, and you don’t need all those fancy tools to cut it. The actual peel and stick tile is actually a little more expensive than the ceramic tile. You have to consider expenses over time. It may be cheaper but say every three years you have to tear it down and redo it. That's not so cheap. Tile can last upwards of 50 years if done right. Split the cost over the years and its way cheaper in the long run to do the ceramic tile.

It is your house and your budget, but my personal recommendation is to avoid the peel and stick tile at all costs. Every situation is different, and every situation has its own results. In my professional experience the reasons listed above are the main reasons I will always steer someone away from peel and stick tile.