When you look at home decor blogs, influencer pages, or even TV shows, you’ll see vinyl flooring making an appearance. Many professionals and homeowners love vinyl flooring because it’s durable and affordable. You can also find this water-resistant flooring in many attractive styles, textures, and colours. These qualities make vinyl a great fit for just about any room.
Vinyl is versatile, coming in sheets, planks, or tiles for easy installation. But most homeowners especially love vinyl flooring for the kitchen and bathroom because it repels water and stains. Since these are heavily used areas prone to standing water and spills, you get value for your money when using vinyl floors. Vinyl is a synthetic cousin of linoleum that ensures durability and low cost. It’s also attractive and economical, so it’s a great fit for your property, whether you’re building from the ground up or doing home improvement projects.
The Different Types of Vinyl Flooring
Today’s three popular types of vinyl flooring are sheets, tiles, and planks. They’re perfect for homeowners with kids and pets because vinyl can hold up against tough messes. They also work well for high-traffic commercial settings because they make clean-ups a breeze.
Vinyl combines aesthetic appeal with superior strength and functionality. It’s a highly resilient floor that can withstand wear and tear plus the test of time. For instance, if you want the look of gorgeous wood floors without their temperamental nature or high cost, vinyl flooring can give you the same style at a fraction of the price.
Read more about the three primary vinyl types and their characteristics to help you choose the right style for your project.
- Vinyl Sheets
Vinyl sheet flooring has become popular because it has waterproof properties without a hefty price tag. Today’s modern vinyl sheets look nothing like the boring sheets of the past. Technological innovation has made it possible for these sheets to look like wood and stone. You can enjoy the traditional appearance of these natural materials without the cost of those materials.
In terms of installation, vinyl is more stable and easier to put in compared to tiles or planks because it is softer. You can play around with different patterns and have the sheets easily switched out when your tastes change. However, the job is best done by professionals so that the seams won’t be too obvious. Notably, vinyl sheet flooring is the most resistant to water, making messes easy to wipe off. But since vinyl sheets are softer compared to other types of flooring, they are also the least scratch-resistant. You will also need stable and smooth sub-floors to have vinyl sheets installed.
- Vinyl Planks
If you love the look of hardwood floors, vinyl planks are a good substitute since you can achieve the same design without the high raw material and installation costs. Vinyl planks are stiffer and thicker than sheets because they’re made with thicker PVC materials. They have beautiful design layers that provide the textures and look that homeowners love.
As a result, the beautifully blended layers of vinyl planks make them sophisticated and durable. They provide better resistance to stains, scratches, and tears than other materials. These planks are typically installed using glue-down or floating tongue-and-groove methods, creating a waterproof surface.
- Vinyl Tiles
Vinyl tile flooring comes in 12”x12” or 9”x9” tiles. It is intentionally fashioned to replicate the look of ceramic, stone, and porcelain tiles. Tiles provide a stunning visual without compromising aesthetics and quality. Vinyl tiles are manufactured the same way as the planks but with thicker vinyl layers, making them more rigid and durable than vinyl sheets.
Vinyl tiles are installed the same way as planks. Compared to traditional tiles, installing vinyl is also less labour-intensive. It doesn’t necessitate grout work, which cuts down on the costs tremendously. Tiles can also be laid over old flooring, so there’s no need for the extra work of ripping out floors before laying over the vinyl tiles.
Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring
If you want flooring that is durable and affordable, vinyl is the answer. Clean-up is a breeze because you can do a quick wipe and continue your routine. You can count on headache-free maintenance of this flooring because there’s no need to polish, buff, or apply anything.
Vinyl flooring holds up to heavy use while reducing foot noise and remaining comfy underfoot. Besides, this floor is more slip-resistant than smooth stone or hardwood flooring. At the same time, it comes with a broad range of designs for versatility in matching your chosen theme.
However, you should note that vinyl floors may be unable to bear heavy loads compared to real natural stone or hardwood. It can also be scratched or torn by sharp objects. The floor can also fade or warp if exposed to excessive direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Thus, it is best for indoor use, away from the elements.
A Matter of Preference
Vinyl flooring comes in numerous designs, colours, and patterns. Manufacturers come out with different designs so you can easily incorporate the latest trends in your space. Choosing sheets, planks, or tiles depends on your taste, room theme, and budget.
But in general, vinyl is cost-effective and easy to install. If you’re not confident about what style will work best in your home, you can order samples of your chosen flooring to see them in person. If you’re pretty handy around the house, there are DIY installation kits. However, the professional installation offers the least stress with better workmanship for the best flooring results.