Vinyl is a synthetic form of linoleum, and it’s widely used as flooring mainly because it’s easy to install, easy to maintain, and can even resemble wooden or tile flooring. The fact that it’s quite affordable makes it all the more wanted, and the durability just adds more points.
So, if you’re looking for a home makeover idea that won’t break your bank but still has a lovely aesthetic, vinyl is a superb option. There are various types of vinyl flooring, so choosing the right one requires a bit of knowledge. Let’s see what you need to know about this flooring before investing in it.
Vinyl flooring comes in two types – tiles and sheet flooring. Sheet flooring is laid down in sheets of 1.8 to 3.6 meters wide and tile flooring comes in 23x23cm or 30x30cm. Sheet flooring is more water-resistant and much easier to install than the tiles, but the tiles are far more popular because they can give a look of real ceramics and of course they are quite affordable. Let’s see each of these floorings in detail.
Vinyl is a durable material, therefore vinyl tiles can handle a lot of traffic, unlike their ceramic counterparts. They are commonly used in commercial buildings where the traffic is neverending. If you want to get the look of unique tiles, opting for home tile flooring made of vinyl means getting a clean, durable and good-looking result without going over your budget.
The choice of vinyl home tile flooring is versatile so you can easily find something that perfectly fits your home’s design. The tiles can be used to replace high-maintenance flooring such as carpets.
Vinyl tiles can be made in two ways. Inlay vinyl tiles have several layers of the same colours fused together and the colour goes to the backing. This is a good thing because even if the layer wears down, the colour won’t be affected. Rotogravure tiles are a type of vinyl that is cheaper than inlay vinyl tiles but their downside is that they will wear off over time if you lay them in a place with high traffic.
These tiles contain several layers. The stability layer keeps the product flat on the surface, the HD photographic layer makes the tiles look realistic while the PVC wear layer keeps the floor’s design from wearing off and tearing. The tiles will still be flexible enough to cut through them with a knife for ease of installation.
Luxury vinyl tiles are far more durable than actual wood, ceramic or stone which makes them superb for rooms where high-traffic occurs every day. So, besides the excellent look, it will last for a long time and won’t require anything more than a sweeping and some mopping.
Vinyl sheet is frequently used as a more affordable alternative of natural stone or hardwood flooring. This is a good substitute in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where the risk of spilling things and moisture is high. The layered construction offers a protective, stable, and cushioned floor. The vinyl roll is 30 cm wide which will be cut to size according to your needs (the flooring company will take care of this). Depending on the size of your room, you might only need one roll, but anyway, this type of flooring has only a few seams (and in some cases it doesn’t have any).
If you’re still facing the dilemma of whether to use vinyl flooring or not, here are some excellent features this flooring has that may change your mind.
Vinyl is completely waterproof which makes it especially loved by homeowners. Kitchens and bathrooms are places where moisture and spillage of liquids is normal and common. In fact, it happens almost every day. To keep your flooring protected, you should pick something that won’t soak in the water, but instead will be waterproof, like vinyl. The last thing you need is to deal with a damaged floor in these rooms and having to change it.
Durability is an important feature when it comes to home flooring. The flooring should stand up to high-traffic without any damage for many years. Vinyl is such a material that will last for years without losing its smooth looks and stability. Also, it’s quite comfortable underfoot and is a great material that reduces noise.
If you’re a person who wants to put some effort and install their own flooring, then vinyl is perfect for that. If you’re handy with your tools you can do the installation yourself. All it takes is a little time and dedication – and of course, following the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer.
Spending too much time on cleaning the floors in every room is time wasted. No-one dreams pf sweeping, wiping, and polishing the floors every day. But vinyl is such a good choice for everyone that wants low maintenance flooring. Sweeping and mopping on a weekly basis are all it takes for this flooring to look clean and good as new.