Vinyl flooring – whether in sheets, planks, or squares – has recently become one of the most popular types of flooring on the market. The question is if vinyl flooring is the right choice for you?
Photo by In Loving Memory Bluebear and Lani on Flickr
Vinyl flooring was first manufactured in the 1930s, and its popularity skyrocketed after World War II.
Vinyl – which is frequently confused with laminate and linoleum – is made out of plastic. Vinyl is available as a sheet or in planks/tiles. Sheet vinyl can be glued down, or is can be floated. The planks/tiles are stiffer than the sheet vinyl, and can also be glued down or floated.
Vinyl will work in any room – from the bathroom to the bedroom, and the kitchen to the basement. The material is available in a wide range of colors and patterns that mimic wood, stone, and tile. Vinyl comes with different wear layer thicknesses. The thicker the wear layer, the better the material will hold up to daily wear-and-tear.
Sheet Vinyl
Photo by PublicPrivate on Flickr
Like all types of flooring, vinyl has pros and cons.
Pros of Vinyl:
Vinyl is low maintenance and durable. It is softer to stand on than wood or tile, and it also will not get cold in the winter like tile will. Vinyl is water resistant. And vinyl typically costs less than what it mimics.
Cons of Vinyl:
Vinyl is not indestructible. It can scratch, and heavy furniture can cause dents. Water can seep between the seams. It is also not tolerant to high heat.
Other Types of Flooring:
If you’re not sure if vinyl is right for you, you can learn about other types of flooring here.