Buying Guide for Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a great and affordable option to consider if you want a floor that will withstand the test of time and you can easily maintain. Vinyl flooring has been around for several years, and it's currently one of the most popular flooring materials in the world. With its simple and elegant design and low maintenance costs, it quickly became the go-to flooring material for many home owners and DIY enthusiasts. The fact that vinyl flooring is very common doesn't mean that you should assume it's the right flooring solution for your home.
Benefits of Vinyl Flooring
Waterproof
Waterproof vinyl planks can be used anywhere, but they’re especially ideal for rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. From accidental spills to pet messes, Mannington’s worry free vinyl plank options keep your flooring protected from moisture.
Realistic Visuals
Perhaps one of the biggest appeals of vinyl plank flooring is the many appearances it can take on. Patterns, colors, and textures used to create vinyl planks are extremely authentic, giving your floors the look and feel of the real deal.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
As with any type of flooring, vinyl plank requires the occasional cleaning. This is especially true if it’s used in a high traffic area – but luckily they’re are easy to clean and maintain. To keep your vinyl planks looking new, use a broom, vacuum or microfiber sweeper for a quick clean up. For deeper cleans, a damp mop and mild cleaner get the job done. As a bonus, there’s no waxing required! Plus, vinyl plank flooring has a protective wearlayer on it that allows it to maintain it’s luster for years to come.
Extremely Durable
Vinyl plank flooring is made to be lived on. It doesn’t scratch, indent or stain easily, which makes it kid and pet-friendly. Vinyl planks durable qualities allow you to install it virtually anywhere in your home.
Factors to Consider Before Buying of Vinyl Flooring
Cost
Per square foot, vinyl flooring is one of the most economic options of flooring that you can choose. On average, you can expect to spend $2-$12 per square foot to have it installed. Luxury Vinyl Tile—or LVT to those of us in the biz—is similarly inexpensive, costing on average, $3-$14 per square foot for installation. When you compare the cost to wood, stone, or ceramic flooring, vinyl offers a significant cost savings. And if you’re handy, you can cut costs even further by installing vinyl flooring yourself. Depending on the complexity of the project, you can expect to spend $1-$2 less per square foot if you perform the installation, but of course we are always happy to install your new flooring.
Ease of Installation
Installation of vinyl flooring is typically easier than installation of other flooring materials. A floating vinyl sheet, for example, doesn’t require glue or staples. Instead, peel and stick vinyl can simply be adhered to a prepared subfloor. Vinyl flooring can also be installed over concrete, hardwood, or plywood. It can even be installed over existing vinyl; however, it isn’t recommended if you have 2 or more preexisting layers.
Stain Resistance
some vinyl tiling has a wear layer that resists stains and spills—you can expect this protection with printed vinyl tiles and sheets. On the other hand, solid and composite vinyl tiles do not have this surface protection. As such, they’re more susceptible to stains and require occasional stripping and polishing to keep them looking like new.
Thickness
Vinyl is generally soft beneath your feet. Some vinyl sheets and tiles even have a padded layer, making walking on vinyl more comfortable. Also, vinyl floors are often referred to as "resilient" floors. This means that the floors have a certain degree of elasticity when you walk across them. Luxury Vinyl Tile is also quieter, as it has sound-absorbing properties.
Conclusion
Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic. Additionally, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains. Some vinyl products even offer warranties of up to 15 years on the wear layer. As with any flooring, the quality of the material that you purchase will affect how long it lasts.
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