While building a new home, it is important to know about vinyl flooring. Also, you should know the factors to consider before buying vinyl flooring.
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring consists of different layers. Also, vinyl flooring is made from (PVC) polyvinyl chloride plastic. PVC is heated and pressed into thin layers, which are then glued together to create vinyl tiles or planks. Each piece of vinyl has a photorealistic visual layer showing hardwood, stone or ceramic appearances, and a textured surface layer meant to simulate the feel of authentic wood grains and minerals. Vinyl is durable, adaptable, cost-effective, water resistant and heavy foot traffic. Luxury vinyl is sometimes mistaken with other resilient flooring surfaces such as linoleum and laminate. However, the difference in manufacturing is what makes it different from other flooring materials otherwise all materials seem to be similar.
What are the factors to consider before buying vinyl flooring?
Pedestrian traffic
Consider how much foot traffic the area of your home receives when selecting whether or not to install a vinyl floor. Vinyl flooring is designed to survive and withstand heavy use, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas. Because some vinyl is much thicker than others, it’s necessary to think about how much protection the area in question would require.
Environment
Despite vinyl flooring’s reputation for being durable, there are a few scenarios when it just doesn’t hold up. Because it doesn’t hold up well to heavy loads, for example, you should avoid putting it in a location where you’ll be dealing with massive machinery. Sharp items can also damage vinyl flooring, so keep it away from anything that could scratch it. Furthermore, because vinyl flooring’s color might fade after prolonged exposure to sunlight, you should avoid placing it outside or in an indoor/outdoor location.
Current ground level
Vinyl is easier to apply to some surfaces than others, and it works best on a flat surface that already exists. Laying vinyl over a floor with faults, such as an old hardwood floor, may be challenging since the imperfections can show up beneath the new vinyl, depriving you of a smooth surface. Vinyl flooring may be installed over an older layer of vinyl, but most manufacturers would advise against placing it over more than one layer of vinyl, since defects in the material can begin to come through with time.
While vinyl may be put over concrete, the floor’s integrity is likely to be compromised. For a better feel underfoot and a more consistent appearance, it’s often ideal to place a layer of well-sanded plywood between your present floor and your new vinyl floor.
Durability
Are you willing to buy a long lasting flooring? Vinyl flooring is extremely long-lasting. It may last up to 10-20 years if properly placed and maintained. Vinyl, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas of your home. Most vinyl flooring also includes a wear layer on the surface that protects it from scratches and stains. The wear layer on certain vinyl items is even covered by a 15-year warranty. The quality of the material you choose, like with any flooring, will determine how long it lasts.
Stain resistance
As previously indicated, some vinyl tiling includes a wear layer that resists stains and spills; printed vinyl tiles and sheets are likely to have this protection. Solid and composite vinyl tiles, on the other hand, lack this surface protection. As a result, they’re more prone to stains and need to be stripped and polished on a regular basis to keep them looking new.
Thickness
Vinyl is often comfortable to walk on. Walking on vinyl is made more pleasant by the presence of a cushioned layer on some vinyl sheets and tiles. Vinyl flooring is sometimes referred to as “resilient” flooring. This implies that as you walk across the flooring, they have a certain amount of flexibility. Because of its sound-absorbing characteristics, Luxury Vinyl Tile is also quieter.
Conclusion
When it comes to flooring, vinyl is a cost-effective, versatile, and long-lasting alternative. You’ll have to think about which sort of vinyl flooring is ideal for your home and which areas of your home are the greatest candidates for vinyl flooring, but with so many possibilities, you’re sure to find something that works.