With advances in technology and innovation rapidly occurring, vinyl flooring products today are far superior to those produced even just two decades ago. Today’s most popular flooring options include engineered hardwood, carpet, porcelain tiles, laminate, and vinyl. But more owners are selecting vinyl over other flooring materials. What are the advantages of vinyl flooring?
WHY CHOOSE VINYL FLOORING?
Vinyl flooring has been around for at least five decades, but the vinyl flooring choices of today are not your grandmother’s vinyl flooring. The popularity of vinyl flooring has been steadily increasing. Unlike the first generation of vinyl products, the latest generation of vinyl flooring has many great features, including excellent aesthetics, durability, ease of cleaning, and availability in many styles, colors, designs, and patterns. Vinyl is also relatively inexpensive compared to other flooring products. Vinyl is very versatile and, if well maintained, can easily last more than two decades.
What are the advantages of vinyl flooring? The modern, adaptable vinyl flooring has unlimited potential. It brightens rooms and feels soft without being susceptible to damage. Here are 7 essential advantages that vinyl flooring offers:
- It is available in several colors, designs, and patterns. Your floor’s range of potential patterns is as extensive as your imagination. Vinyl flooring offers an incredible range of designs. Vinyl is excellent when used to brighten spaces that benefit from reflection, such as bathrooms.
- Vinyl is also very easy to maintain. Spills and humidity, for example, can destroy a wood floor. To clean vinyl flooring, all you need is to sweep the dirt and then mop up any scuff marks … and you do not need any fancy cleaning solutions or tools. One of the biggest advantages of vinyl is its ability to resist water, which makes it ideal for the moisture-prone areas of your home, like the kitchen, bathroom, mudroom, and laundry room. Any area that’s exposed to a great deal of moisture or dirt is ideal for vinyl since cleaning it is so remarkably easy.
- It offers great durability. Because vinyl is artificial, performance is rated; you know exactly what you’re getting and how long it is likely to last. The latest vinyl products also come with a surface coating, which provides an extra barrier against dirt and makes it stain- and scratch-resistant. Vinyl flooring is made of highly durable plastic; if properly installed, the flooring can last two decades or more. This makes it ideal for any area of the home with high foot traffic. Products also come with a warranty.
- Vinyl flooring can be cushiony and soft for your feet. It won’t be too hot or too cold. Vinyl flooring can help keep an even temperature so it will be comfortable on your feet.
- Air quality standards are good. Where vinyl is concerned, air quality gets a good report. It has low emissions and is less likely to retain pollutants over other types of floors.
- Vinyl is nothing if not flexible. It can be installed over any type of subfloor and on every level of a home. Flooring contractors can do a quick, efficient, clean installation. This is a luxury that not every type of floor offers.
- Vinyl is affordable. It holds its pattern and colors well. After years of use, it can still look just as good as the day you got it. The ease with which it can be maintained also makes it a wonderful choice for those who want cost-effectiveness, durability, and low maintenance.
TYPES OF VINYL FLOORING
Different types of vinyl flooring are available for your selection. Of course, there is sheet vinyl, and, in addition, you can also choose between luxury vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring. Without the heftier price tag, luxury vinyl plank and tile can mimic other looks, such as hardwood, granite, marble, bamboo, slate, and many others.
The choice of when to use sheet vinyl flooring would come into play when you are looking for a material that can withstand heavy foot traffic and be highly durable. Sheet vinyl can be easily removed and relocated if it should start to show wear and tear. When you can relocate a patch of sheet vinyl, that eliminates the need to replace an entire flooring.
When to use sheet vinyl flooring? When you want a durable, cost-effective, and easy-to-clean product, you want to reduce the number of allergens and remove the possibility of mold or mildew growth.
As mentioned above, the newest generations of vinyl include LVP (luxury vinyl plank) and LVT (luxury vinyl tile). Both these types of vinyl flooring offer exceptional durability, quality, and advanced printing technology to enhance their appearance.
IS VINYL FLOORING A DIY PROJECT?
While vinyl flooring is relatively easy to install, it is not a job for everyone. The key to the durability of vinyl depends on the perfect installation. If any gaps are left along the corners or edges, moisture can seep through and damage the subfloor, which most likely will reduce the lifespan of your vinyl floor. Unless you have experience with flooring, the job is best left to the professionals.
What are the advantages of vinyl flooring? Speak with the flooring experts at East Coast Flooring & Interiors about installing a vinyl floor today. It’s an investment that will repay you time and time again. Call them at 1-954-626-8053.