Looking for a cost-effective upgrade to your surfaces, then vinyl it is.
Yes, vinyl flooring is synthetic, but it is durable, affordable and gives the appearance of real stone and wood, because of the variety of styles and colours, giving any space a luxurious look and feel.
Unlike ceramic or porcelain, vinyl retains room temperature, so no icy feet in winter.
This type of flooring is particularly good in moist environments because it does not contain wood products, which may be affected by moisture.
How Do I Prepare The Floor For Vinly?
The beauty about vinyl is that it can be laid directly over existing tiles, such as ceramics.
You will however, need to level out the grout lines with extra grout and sand them level once dried to maintain an even surface.
You could also apply a bonding liquid to the ceramics/cement and then apply a self-levelling screed over that. This is the method preferred by most contractors.
If, however, you have a new concrete floor (subfloor), then the floor will need to be completely clean and dry (60 days to cure) before you start laying the flooring.
Peel and stick vinyl tiles may come loose over time if your underlayment is not clean, dry or smooth, so for this type of application, it is important to cover this step.
Is Vinyl Flooring Easy To Maintain?
A broom, a mop and away you go with Vinyl flooring.
This flooring surface is highly durable, in particular for bathrooms and laundry rooms because it can withstand humidity and is stain proof.
Also popular in kitchens, this flooring comes in an array of colours and styles.
The style variations you can get with vinyl make it very versatile because you can choose planks, sheets or tiles, so for the DIY in you, it will be a great achievement when you see your handiwork.
One caution about installing Vinyl in kitchens is that it is not scratch-resistant so extra care should be taken regarding sharp utensils etc, as this may not be covered in your guarantee.
What Types Of Vinyl Flooring Are There?
- LVT – Luxury Vinyl Tile and LVP – Luxury Vinyl Plank
- Vinyl Roll
- Engineered Vinyl Plank
Although composed of the same materials, the LVT is in plank or tile form and can be flexible or rigid to give the natural wood look.
Vinyl tiles or planks are convenient when it comes to any repairs as long as you can find the same colour, and if not, you can always get a pattern going.
Things to note is that the LVT and LVP glue-down may not be waterproof while most click vinyl is.
This is simply because the glue used may work loose if left in a moist condition, while the click vinyl has no adhesive to worry about, making it excellent in wet areas, like a shower or bathroom.
If there is any damage to the LVT/LVP you can at least remove the damaged plank or tile and just replace it.
Vinyl Roll – is large and flexible and has fibreglass, cushion backed finish.
This type of flooring is also useful in bathrooms. It is imperative that the edges are sealed properly to prevent any moisture.
Vinyl tiles are probably easier as bathrooms have tighter areas to work around should there be any cuts because of the vanity, toilet and basin for example, but each tile must be sealed correctly to ensure no moisture is able to go between the tiles which could be a cause for mould.
All types of vinyl are affordable and there are a variety of colours and styles to suit any homeowners design plan. Vinyl is softer too, so is especially kind to the young, and elderly.
EVP – Engineered Vinyl Planks – these are much more stable than LVPs as they have a rigid stone-based core and have a textured grip.
As well as having a clear protective layer they have a décor layer that resembles ceramic or stone or natural wood, so it looks great.
The fact that they are waterproof is comforting to know because you can feel relaxed should there be any spills, although as with any flooring, spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible.
Quick and easy installation makes for a floor that anyone would want to install in their home.
Vinyl Flooring Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely durable, noise reducing, keeps better to room temperature, so not as cold as ceramic tiles, comfortable for children, the elderly or pets
- Easy to install – DIY – get information from YouTube or Google for some step by step tutorials on how to install
- Minimum maintenance – sweep and mop
- Stain-resistant – most vinyl flooring has a wear layer that helps to resist stains, but always wipe spills as soon as possible to avoid slipping
- Wide variety of colour and style with realistic wood grain due to the embossed pattern
- Cost-effective – updating your home can become costly, so purchasing Vinyl will certainly keep cash in your pocket
Cons
- Synthetic texture – it may look like wood, but the feel of it is not like real wood, but for a more affordable option this is a good imitation if that is what you’re looking for
- LVT/LVP (luxury vinyl tile/luxury vinyl plank cannot be refurbished; you will have to replace each tile or plank that is damaged
- The life span may not be as long-lasting as ceramic or hardwood, but if maintained properly it can be long lasting
- Not resistant against scratches and dents, for example from kitchen utensils like forks or knives hitting them.
- Difficult to remove if stick down was used and they are also not easily recycled, so not eco-friendly
Final Thoughts On Vinyl Flooring?
All in all, regardless of which flooring you want, it’s best to look at all your options.
There are many, many types and styles available, be open to going to various retail outlets to touch and look at colours and textures, and you are sure to find the exact flooring complement to your home.
Remember to use reputable suppliers and get as much information as possible by asking others about their experiences.