Vinyl is a popular flooring material for many applications around the home, but what is vinyl flooring, and what variations are there?
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is 100% synthetic, made up of four layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins, melted and mixed together with fungicides and stabilizers:
- The bottom layer provides stability and water resistance
- The core layer is the main structural element
- The design layer is where the color and pattern are displayed
- The uppermost wear layer protects the design against scratches, scuffs, dents, staining, and fading
Vinyl flooring pros and cons
The bottom and core layers of vinyl make vinyl flooring products very stable and durable, with the addition of the uppermost wear layer which adequately protects the design of the boards against damage. These factors make vinyl a popular choice for high-traffic areas and homes with young children or pets.
Most vinyl products have great water resistance, able to withstand spills and leaks without risk of deformation. Some vinyl products are even waterproof. However, prolonged exposure to water or excessive moisture can impact the glue that attaches vinyl products to the subfloor. This won’t damage the vinyl, but can become a safety risk so will require prompt repair.
Vinyl often has a soft, warm feel underfoot, making it a great choice for rooms of the home where comfort is a priority. Being soft underfoot also contributes to good sound reduction, often desired in apartments and other single-level homes, home offices, and entertainment rooms. Vinyl is also very easy to clean, with regular vacuuming and mopping being more than enough to keep the floor looking its best.
There are three main variations of vinyl flooring: plank, tile, and sheet.
Vinyl plank
Due to its long, thin board shape, vinyl plank is the most commonly used as an alternative to natural wooden plank flooring, with plenty of designs available.
Generally, vinyl plank offers better scratch resistance and overall durability than other forms of vinyl flooring. Also, as it’s installed as individual boards, vinyl plank is very easy to replace if it is to get damaged, as the affected planks can be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire flooring to rectify a small area of damage.
Vinyl plank is often more expensive to purchase than other forms of vinyl flooring. The specific cost of a vinyl plank product will vary depending on factors like the quality, manufacturer, and design, however, lower-end vinyl plank products can be found for as low as $1+ per square foot. Vinyl plank tends to last roughly 10 – 20 years if looked after correctly.
Standard vinyl plank products will usually be installed by gluing them directly to the subfloor.
Vinyl tile
Vinyl tile flooring is very comparable to vinyl plank, however as the name suggests, it comes in squared ‘tile’ shapes rather than boards. Due to this, vinyl tile is more often used to replicate stone tile flooring rather than wooden boards.
Its features remain very similar to that of vinyl plank, however, it can have a slightly lower level of durability due to the flooring sections being smaller. Just like planks, damaged sections of vinyl tile can be easily replaced.
The cost of vinyl tile starts slightly higher than vinyl plank, priced at around $2 – $3 per square foot, however, the cost of vinyl plank products will usually range higher than vinyl tile. Just like vinyl plank, vinyl tile can last around 10 – 20 years, and is usually required to be glued directly to the subfloor.
Vinyl sheet
Produced in large rolls, sheet vinyl is designed to be easily cut to the desired size, making it ideal for large rooms or unconventionally shaped spaces. Vinyl sheet is available in designs that replicate natural wooden or stone floors, however, this imitation is less realistic when compared to vinyl plank and tile due to being laid as a sheet.
With a thicker backing than other forms of vinyl flooring, sheet vinyl usually has better sound resistance and water resistance than plank or tile. Vinyl sheet is regarded as less durable in high-traffic areas and is also more prone to discoloration than other forms of vinyl flooring. If any imperfections form, or the floor is to get damaged, the entire sheet of vinyl must be replaced, rather than just the affected area like plank and tile.
Costing around $1 – $2 per square foot, vinyl sheet is often the lowest-priced form of vinyl floor. While also requiring the glue-down installation method, installing vinyl sheet can be more difficult, costly, and time-consuming than vinyl plank and tile, so this is something to keep in mind when budgets are tight. As with the two aforementioned vinyl flooring types, vinyl sheet has an average lifespan of 10 – 20 years.
Looking for a little more luxury?
There are actually two more types of vinyl flooring: luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
While very comparable to their standard counterparts, LVP and LVT offer enhanced features, such as better durability, higher levels of water resistance, and more sound reduction. With average lifespans of around 15 – 20 years, LVP and LVT tend to cost around $2 – $9 per square foot.
Most luxury vinyl products can be installed using a floating method, meaning no subfloor is required, however, they can also be glued directly to the subfloor. If you’re unsure which installation method is best for you, speak with a professional who can advise you on the right method for your circumstances.
Applications for vinyl flooring
Being so versatile and boasting many benefits, vinyl is a suitable flooring choice for every room of the home:
- Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements – with great water resistance, strong durability, and easy cleaning, vinyl is a popular choice for these areas. Consider vinyl sheet for additional water resistance, but many homeowners enjoy replicating natural tiles in their bathroom with vinyl tile or LVT, and mimicking the natural wood look with vinyl plank or LVP in the kitchen.
- Bedrooms and living spaces – comfortable underfoot and with a range of aesthetics to choose from, vinyl flooring is a common choice for bedrooms and living areas.
- Hallways, stairs, and landings – durable, easy to clean, and with good sound reduction qualities, vinyl flooring can withstand regular foot traffic in these busy areas of the home and keep noise levels to a minimum.
Always have your vinyl flooring installed by a professional to ensure utmost safety and optimum results. Professional installation can also help increase the longevity of your floors.
Powerhouse is a full-service home and commercial services company based in Texas, specializing in flooring installation.
