Flooring is a very important factor in the look of your home. It can make your home look elegant and luxurious or it can make it look cheap and unappealing.
There are many different types of flooring materials that you can choose from, but not all of them will work well with your home.
There are some things you need to consider when choosing the type of flooring material for your home, such as: what is the architectural style you want? What type of flooring is best for this area? What is the budget?
It is important to choose the right flooring for your home. It can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your living space.
If you are looking for new flooring, there are many options available. You can choose from wood, tiles or carpet.
However, each one of them has their advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs.
In this article we are gonna talk about Vinyl flooring, different types of vinyl flooring, its advantages, disadvantages and many more. So stick around.
Table of contents
- What is vinyl flooring
- Different types of vinyl flooring
- Advantages of Vinyl Flooring
- Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring
- How to install vinyl flooring
- How to maintain vinyl flooring
- Best places to buy vinyl flooring
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Before knowing different types of vinyl flooring you should know what is Vinyl flooring?
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a synthetic material made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is often used as a substitute for natural wood, stone or tile.
Vinyl flooring is an affordable and durable option that can be found in many homes today. It is also available in a wide range of colours, patterns and textures to suit every taste.
Many people have started to install vinyl flooring in their homes because it is durable and water-resistant.
Vinyl flooring can come in a variety of different colours and textures, so it is easy for someone to find the perfect match for their home.
Vinyl flooring is a type of flooring that can be used in both residential and commercial settings. Vinyl flooring has many benefits such as being easy to clean, low maintenance, and easy to install.
The best part about vinyl flooring is that it is water-resistant, so you won't have to worry about it becoming ruined.
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| What is vinyl flooring |
Different types of vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring has been around for a long time and it is very popular in the US. They are durable, affordable and long-lasting.
Mainly there are three types of vinyl flooring - LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and sheet vinyl.
Each of them has its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. It depends on what type of vinyl flooring you want in your house or what type of vinyl flooring will suit your house.
If you want something eye-catching and elegant in your house but affordable and long-lasting then Vinyl flooring is the thing you need.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)
If you want a storey look on your floor then LVT will be the best choice for you.
These are made in such a way that they can give your floor the look of original tiles which looks very attractive and realistic. They are thicker than sheet vinyl and last long which makes them attractive to buyers.
There are many ways of installing LVTs on your floors but one of the best ways is adhesive installation. This feature makes it easier to install than the traditional tiles.
It doesn't require any special skill to install it. You can even do it by yourself. It makes it a much more cost-efficient and less hard-working job. You can even spread it on your old floor. You don't need to rip off your old floor.
Due to its water-resistant capacity, durability and long-lasting feature, this flooring is best for bathrooms, kitchens and more.
The maintenance of the LVTs is also very easy. You don't need to take any special care of it. Just wipe it down with an LVT cleaner and you are done. This saves a lot of your time.
If you maintain it regularly then it can give you long-lasting performance and you don't need to buy it again and again.
This also prevents slip hazards which have a high chance of occurring in normal tile flooring.
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| Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) |
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank)
Luxury vinyl planks or LVP are best suited for someone who likes to have a wood flooring style on their floor.
These are specially designed to replicate the design of wood flooring. Nowadays this type of flooring is in trend.
Due to its thickness and high rigidity, the LVP is the favourite of all house owners. These features make them more durable and long-lasting than any other vinyl flooring.
The Luxury vinyl planks come in many credible designs. They are mainly composed of thick PVC on top of which the design layer is made. This helps the LVPs to replicate the look of a wood flooring.
The installation of these LVPs is also easy. The installation process can be done by two methods. One is the tongue-and-groove method and the other one is the Glue down method.
The tongue-and-groove method is best for places where water stands still for much time like the bathroom or sometimes the kitchen. The tongue-and-groove method makes the planks waterproof and scratch resistant and it is also very easy to install.
The Glue down method method is useful where you usually have a lot of messmess and spells. This method is usually best for bedrooms and laundry rooms where you can easily wipe up the mess. The glue down method makes the planks more durable, waterproof and scratch resistant.
Both of the methods are very easy to do. You just need to be a bit smart while applying both of the methods.
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| Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) |
Sheet Vinyl
If you are a little tight on budget then this is the best flooring option for you. The sheet vinyl flooring has been a popular choice for many years.
Due to its budget friendliness and waterproof property it is one of the most favorite choice of home owners for their floors.
In modern times the sheet vinyl is designed in such a way that it can replicate the looks of both stone and wood flooring. It gives your guests an authentic feeling at a very budget friendly cost.
The installation is easier than LVT and LVP but to get the best results I would recommend you to hire professionals. As the sheet vinyl is softer than LVT and LVP it needs a smooth subfloor to be placed on.
Available in a huge quantity of great designs and looks, the sheet vinyl is very easy to handle. You can choose it according to trend and your taste.
It can also be changed very easily by you if you think that it is now out of trend or your taste has changed.
You can easily clean up the mess and spill it making it the best option for your basements. But it is less scratch resistant because it is softer than LVT and LVP.
So proper maintenance and cleaning is required to make it long lasting.
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| Sheet Vinyl |
Advantages of Vinyl Flooring
Cost Efficiency: As said earlier vinyl flooring is the most popular choice of homeowners. There are many reasons behind it. The foremost reason is that is is way more cheaper than tiles or wood flooring allowing it to fit in the budget.
Durability and Long Lasting: It is the second factor why people love to install vinyl flooring in their house. PVC (which is the main element behind the vinyl flooring) makes the vinyl flooring durable, scratch resistant and long lasting than regular flooring.
Easy Installation: The Vinyl Flooring is much more easy to install than regular tiles and wood flooring. You can even do it by yourself. You don't need to hire professionals to lay down your vinyl flooring. You and your family members can also do it easily.
Maintenance: The maintenance cost of the vinyl flooring is very affordable. You just need a chemical stripper to clean it. Doing this once a month is enough to maintain it. It can also handle humid and dust conditions very easily.
Water Resistant: This feature makes it the best option for your bathrooms and kitchens. It can hold water without any problem. This makes it very durable and long lasting.
Huge range of textures and designs: The best thing about the vinyl flooring is that it is available in great textures and designs which is not available in normal tiles and wood flooring. This makes it more attractive for homeowners.
Disadvantages of vinyl flooring
Smooth subfloor: To keep the vinyl floor looking nice and avoid bumps and lumps spoiling the whole surface, the subfloor should be clear of any form of particle. Furthermore, for uneven floors, self-leveling on the subfloor is required to prevent the little waves from appearing on the vinyl floor.
Breakage: However, if a sharp item is used with sufficient force, the surface can be damaged. When it comes to moving furniture, this is also an issue.
Not for bathroom: Vinyl is water-resistant but not waterproof, so it cannot be immersed in water. As a result, it is not recommended for use in bathrooms or toilets. The vinyl will peel off if it is submerged in water for an extended period of time.
Can't use it outdoor: If the vinyl flooring is kept for a long time under sunlight the texture and color of it will fade off making it less durable and less attractive. So it is recommended to use it indoors.
How to install vinyl flooring
As said earlier the installation is vinyl flooring is so easy that you can do it together with your family members.
It will hardly take 2-4 hours of work to lay down a vinyl flooring on your floor.
In this case we will be talking about laying down sheet vinyl on your floors.
To apply it follow the steps below:
Step-1: Choose the best Vinyl
Now, sheet vinyl comes in two types. One is felt and the other one is fiberglass. They are divided based on the backing.
Among them, felt is mostly used by homeowners but modern fiberglass versions provide more durability as well as better comfort and cushioning underfoot.
Both of them are made up of two layers. The lower layer is a printed design vinyl layer and the upper layer is a clear vinyl layer that is protected by a top coat which makes it dust free and scratch resistant and easy to clean.
Be sure to take the measurements of your floor carefully or you will end up buying too small vinyl flooring.
Step-2: Remove Obstacles and existing flooring
After choosing the perfect vinyl for your floors its time to remove all the obstacles. If you are working in the kitchen then you have to remove the refrigerators and molding or the toilet in case of a bathroom. This will help you to work freely and apply the vinyl perfectly.
Also removing the existing flooring is a must before laying down the sheet vinyl. Otherwise it may create a problem while putting down the new flooring.
Step-3: SubFloor Preparation
After doing both the steps, you need to prepare the subfloor. This process is the most important step before laying down the new vinyl flooring.
To be successfully placed, vinyl flooring must be placed on a flat, smooth surface.
While removing the previous flooring you may damage the sub floor which is a problem that needs to be solved before laying the new flooring.
Small bumps can also make your new flooring look uneven and unappealing.
Levelling the sub floor without the proper technique may lead to a worse condition. That's why I would recommend you to hire or ask the help of a professional to level your subfloor.
Step-4: Placing An Underlayer
Vinyl floor grade plywood under layers aid in the installation of vinyl flooring by providing an even, smooth surface. The underlayer should be let to acclimate to the temperature and humidity of your house for up to three days. Skipping this step may lead to a bumpy surface which will create problems while laying the vinyl flooring. To avoid bumps on the completed flooring, the underlayer must be carefully laid.
Step-5: Laying the vinyl flooring
Now the final step has come. You simply need to put the flooring down very carefully.
The installation of the vinyl flooring needs a strong adhesive between the vinyl and the underlayer. Some vinyl flooring come with their own adhesives.
A secure bond can be achieved by using a rolling pin or a floor roller. Working in portions and not moving on until the preceding section is finished is the best way to go.
After laying down the flooring you have to wait for a few hours till the glue gets dried and completely joined in between the underlayer and the adhesive before moving any moldings.
Always start laying it down from the center of your room. By doing it you will get a symmetrical pattern.
How to maintain vinyl flooring
Just Installing a vinyl flooring is not enough. You need to maintain it so that it can be used for a long time.
Frequent Cleaning - Dust grains and tiny sand particles are frequently carried inside by wind. When you walk over the particles, it causes scratches, which causes damage to your vinyl flooring. That's why frequent but light cleaning is required. Use a soft broom to sweep the duat and keep your flooring clean.
Neglect chemical cleaners - Don't clean your vinyl flooring with cleaners like bleach. They will fade out the shininess of your flooring making them unattractive. You can use this pH neutral floor cleaner which is absolutely safe for your floors.
Clean spills immediately - If you mistakenly spill any liquid item on your vinyl floor then it is better to clean it immediately or it may damage your flooring.
Avoid movement of appliances - Movements of heavy appliances over the vinyl floor may create permanent scratches over the floor which can heavily damage your floor and in a few cases you may need to change the flooring. So avoid the movement of appliances.
Best places to buy vinyl flooring
There are many places where you can buy vinyl flooring.
- You can buy it from Amazon.
- You can buy high quality vinyl flooring from wayfair.
- You can do so from Walmart.
- You can buy from FlooringAmerica.
- You can also buy it from FlooringDepot.
Conclusion
After reading the whole post I hope I am able to make you understand about Vinyl flooring and different types of vinyl flooring.
In this post we covered what vinyl flooring is, what are the different types of it, advantages and disadvantages, how to install it, how to maintain it and where to buy it.
Vinyl flooring is already a trend in every house. It is the most favorite option for flooring for the house owners. It costs less and it gives you and your guests an authentic feeling.
It can easily fit into your budget and the installation is also very easy. You can even do it by yourself.
FAQ
1. Is vinyl Flooring toxic?
Ans. Vinyl flooring is not toxic at all. It is made of PVC which is then protected by two coats which protects it from any direct human contact.
2. Can you use vinyl flooring on bathroom walls?
Ans. Since it is a flooring (For floors) you can use it on bathroom. But it is recommended to use it on bathroom walls instead of floors. Though it is water resistant but a continuous present of standing water on it may decrease its life span.
3. Is vinyl flooring durable?
Ans. Undoubtedly Yes. Vinyl flooring is very durable. Not only durable, it is also water resistant and a long lasting thing.
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