In this day and age, vinyl records have now gone the way of disco and VCR’s, Vinyl flooring is very in. Due to the fact that vinyl flooring solutions have very unique benefits such as being easy to install as well as maintain, lasting a long time and providing a comfortable surface to walk on, vinyl flooring has been seeing record high sales and is becoming extremely popular amongst homeowners. But, before you go out and choose your vinyl, there are a few things that you should know:
What is vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring is made up of a synthetic material called polyvinyl chloride plastic (OVC). The PVC is heated and pressed into layers that are then put together to make vinyl tiles or planks. Every piece of vinyl will have a photorealistic visual layer depicting hardwood, stone, or ceramic looks, as well as a textured surface layer replicating the look and feel of natural wood grains.
Vinyl is versatile, extremely durable, and is able to withstand moisture as well as heavy foot traffic. It often gets confused with other strong flooring surfaces such as linoleum and laminate – and while luxury vinyl has similarities to laminate, there are big differences when it comes to the construction of these products that set them apart.
Types of vinyl flooring
There are two types of vinyl flooring: sheet flooring and tile flooring. Sheet flooring is resistant to water, while having the benefit of being easy to install. Vinyl tiles replicate the look of ceramic tiles but as opposed to ceramic tiles, vinyl tiles are much more economical. Luxury vinyl tile, which is made to look like stone or hardwood, comes in varying plank shapes and can hardly be told apart from the material it is replicating.
Vinyl finishes
There are 3 types of finishes that you get for vinyl flooring, and all of them will yield a beautiful end result.
Vinyl no-wax finish: This is the lightest type and is perfect for areas that will not have too many people walking over as it requires minimal exposure to dirt and moisture.
Urethane finish: Much more durable, this is a heavier finish that is suitable for moderate foot traffic and has a resistance to scuffing all while being very easy to clean.
Enhanced urethane finish: This is the strongest finish available and can accommodate a lot of foot traffic, is very resistant to scratches and stains and does not require constant maintenance.
Sunlight
Unfortunately, most types of flooring will get damaged by the sun. Over time, vinyl flooring can fade in direct sunlight. It is always recommended that you draw your curtains shut to protect the floor during times of harsh daylight.
Ease of installation
The installation of vinyl is typically much simpler than that of other flooring materials. A floating vinyl sheet does not require glue or staples, instead it simply adheres to the subfloor and can be installed onto concrete, hardwood, or plywood!
