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What is vinyl flooring, its advantages and tips — we simplify vinyl flooring for you.
Flooring options are devious — they trick you into choosing aesthetics over functionality, style over substance. Obvious as it may be, it needs to be reiterated — good flooring is an investment for your home. Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for those who want the floors in their home to withstand wear and tear and look pretty while doing it.
Underperforming floors are a bane, and those who have either scrimped on the budget or made a wrong call will vouch for what a headache it can be to change the world under your feet. So, we bring you all the inside scoop on vinyl flooring for your home. Read on.
Cheat Sheet On Vinyl Flooring And Types
Vinyl flooring is made of different synthetic materials, predominantly PVC (polyvinyl chloride), combined using heat and pressure. The last layer is of prints and textures in various colours that add individuality to your floors and home. PVC vinyl flooring is available as 12-foot rolls of vinyl sheets, vinyl planks or vinyl tiles.
Plank vinyl flooring resembles hardwood finishes. They have a foam centre for added strength. Sheet vinyl flooring is the most popular as the installation is simple and snappy.
Luxury vinyl flooring has more layers than standard vinyl flooring, often about five layers more. They replicate wood or stone more realistically, using 3D printers to mimic the effects.
Maintenance Of Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl flooring stays snug thanks to the tongue-and-groove interlocking system. In a matter of a few hours, the vinyl flooring can be laid or removed. No, there is no bonding with the original floor of your home. But we would still suggest you employ the services of a professional. A DIY effort could possibly lead to an uneven floor and a bubble on the surface.
Advantages Of Vinyl Flooring
Whether it is PVC vinyl flooring, vinyl tiles or plank vinyl floor options, their ever-increasing popularity is because of the edgy advantages they bring to the table. Some of these are:
- Vinyl flooring is durable, lasting close to two decades with proper care. Whether it is living room vinyl flooring or bathroom vinyl flooring, there is no need to change the tiles often. In each area, it works wonders since only one sheet can be used to avoid the seeping of dust or water.
- It is water-resistant. Now, this also depends on the workmanship of the professional hired for the installation. In most cases, a well-fitted vinyl sheet works well in high-moisture areas like the kitchen and the bathroom.
- Vinyl flooring is low maintenance. It is stain-resistant so that tough stains won’t mar your floor. For accidental spillage, gentle sweeping and mopping suffice. Mild cleaners and warm water are the best friends of a vinyl floor.
- It is economical and comfortable. It costs far less than stone, wood or marble floors. The extra padding under the vinyl sheets feels soft under the feet.
Disadvantages Of Vinyl Flooring
Some disadvantages are:
- It is not eco-friendly. It isn’t biodegradable and cannot be recycled.
- Vinyl flooring dents and scratches easily. Heavy furniture can ruin that beautiful exterior surface, sometimes permanently. Changing the vinyl sheet is the only way to restore its look.
- It doesn’t tend to increase the home’s resale value.
Dos Of Vinyl Flooring Installation
Before you initiate the vinyl flooring adventure, keep in mind these few pointers:
- Do a scrap vinyl test before you go ahead with the vinyl flooring installation. This will help you know the moisture content of your floor and whether vinyl flooring is a suitable option for you.
- Click-lock types of vinyl need some gap to expand or contract for smooth functionality.
- Keep your room and vinyl flooring at room temperature before installation.
- Clean up spills immediately for a longer-lasting beautiful floor.
Don’ts Of Vinyl Flooring Installation
There aren’t many don’ts of vinyl flooring. These are the most important ones:
- The floor height difference can cause a major niggle if ignored. Ensure your installer checks this difference between the old floor, door jam and post-vinyl sheet application.
- Don’t use a hammer to slide in your vinyl planks. A pull bar and hammer would be a better combination.
- Avoid walking over your newly-installed vinyl floor for up to 48 hours.
- This is the most basic — don’t slide heavy furniture over your vinyl floor.
The under-feet area may not be the world we pay a lot of attention to, but it is an essential aspect of home aesthetics, nevertheless. Making educated decisions about your flooring will go a long way in avoiding later headaches. Reach out to our floor experts at DesignCafe for professional help with vinyl flooring.
