What are the pros and cons of vinyl flooring? If you’re considering installing new floors, you may wonder if vinyl suits your needs and budget. This material is popular because it’s affordable and versatile, but it’s not always the perfect option for every situation. This guide will help you decide whether vinyl is the right flooring for you.
What is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is made of composites that are long-lasting and easy to install. The main components are typically polyvinyl chloride resins, also known as PVC. Unlike raw materials, such as stone and hardwood, vinyl is made up of various layers, each of which serves a specific purpose. A common layer structure includes:
- Top coat: A thin, clear layer that protects the vinyl floor from sunlight-induced fading.
- Wear layer: A thicker, clear layer that protects from dents, gouges, and general wear.
- Decorative layer: A realistic design that mimics the patterns of naturally occurring materials like wood and stone.
- Core/base layer: A thick, waterproof layer of vinyl that provides the flooring with a strong foundation.
- Balance/underlayer: A soft layer that provides both cushion and sound reduction.
Design
Vinyl is a versatile flooring option because it can boast designs that mimic many materials. Popular designs can look identical to wood grain, slate, and granite. You can imitate the appearance of these materials rather accurately without the hassle of a complicated installation process and exorbitant prices.
Installation
Vinyl comes in multiple forms. You can get rolled vinyl, which only needs to be laid out in the room of your choice and cut to size. Alternatively, you could opt for vinyl tiles or planks. Many of these products allow you to install them by snapping the pieces together, making for a quick and easy flooring upgrade.
Pros of Vinyl Flooring
Advances in vinyl production have made it a more popular flooring option worldwide. Some of the reasons people love vinyl include the following:
It’s Versatile
Vinyl flooring can be indistinguishable from wood grain and other options to the naked eye. Some products even mimic the texture. You also have many choices when choosing vinyl floors, so you can choose colours and patterns that aren’t available in other materials.
It’s Quiet
Vinyl floors are much quieter than wood or ceramic. The bottom layers help this material absorb the impact of footsteps so that you’re less likely to hear someone walking through the home.
For this reason, vinyl may be the right choice for you if you live in a multi-level house. Whether you have a bungalow, duplex, townhouse, two-story, or condo, vinyl flooring minimizes floor-to-floor sound transfer and suppresses the noise from foot traffic. This means disturbances from neighbours or housemates can be kept to a minimum. Also, those with young families can benefit from choosing this versatile, sound-dampening flooring option for rooms and spaces used as play areas.
It’s Water Resistant
Vinyl is water resistant, making it an excellent choice if you’re worried about moisture and water damage. Some vinyl options feature a mechanism that locks the pieces together, creating an even more impenetrable surface. Many people finish their basements with vinyl flooring because it holds up well to everyday spills and messes while also providing some protection against flooding and leaking.
It’s Easy to Clean
In contrast to traditional hardwood flooring, vinyl boasts ease-of-cleaning qualities that are unmatched. When your space is furbished with vinyl, keeping your floors clean doesn’t require a complex process or unique products to maintain its finish. There is no need to worry about over-saturating the floor with water, either. Often, all that is needed is a broom, soap, water, and a mop to keep vinyl l flooring sparklingly clean.
It’s Pet-friendly
Another factor to consider when choosing vinyl flooring may be whether or not you have pets. Many homeowners opt for this material in spaces like mudrooms and entryways where beloved pets may track water, mud, or other messes from outside. With a quick wipe from a cloth, messes are gone without worrying about potential damage or lugging out excess cleaning equipment.
Although vinyl is durable, we recommend keeping your pets’ nails trimmed often to avoid potential damage to the surface.
It’s Easy to Work With
Vinyl is much easier to install than other types of flooring. It comes in various styles, with some of the most popular being plank, sheet, and peel-and-stick. All three are fairly easy to put down in your space.
- Vinyl plank flooring is the most luxury-looking of the options. It often features a variation of a locking mechanism that seals the surface and holds the planks in place. The installation can be quite easy, with some plank designs having to be snapped together and others having to be laid onto each other.
- Often used for larger spaces, vinyl sheet flooring comes in large sections, can be cut to the desired shape, and is generally installed using an adhesive.
- Popular for smaller areas, peel-and-stick comes in individual tiles or planks and is installed by sticking the adhesive side onto the floor. Starting your installation around the edges of the space will allow you to keep the pattern in alignment.
It’s Affordable and Cost-efficient
One of the most significant benefits of vinyl flooring is that it can save you a lot of money. You can emulate the look of more expensive materials without completely breaking the bank.
In addition, vinyl is often considered an energy-efficient flooring option. Some products are designed to provide added insulation, meaning they help a room retain its temperature. Over time, this can help reduce the long-term costs of heating and cooling your home.
Cons of Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl isn’t the right choice for everyone. Here are some disadvantages of vinyl floors to consider:
It Doesn’t Like Excessive Heat or Sun
Avoid putting vinyl flooring in areas of the home that receive more sunlight than usual because the material can fade over time. The same is true with heat. Vinyl is more likely to degrade when exposed to high temperatures.
It Doesn’t Hold Up Against Sharp Objects
Like other flooring options, vinyl can dent or puncture. Keep this in mind when choosing which rooms to install this material in. While it’s generally durable, it may not hold up as well in areas with aggressive foot traffic and external impact.
Key Takeaways
If you’re seeking an affordable flooring solution, vinyl flooring is a compelling choice. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it also boasts water-resistant properties, making it ideal for areas prone to spills or moisture. Its easy-to-clean nature ensures you can spend less time maintaining it, freeing up your schedule for other tasks.
Additionally, vinyl provides excellent sound absorption, reducing both foot traffic noise within your home and sound transmission between floors. So, if you’re looking for a practical, cost-effective flooring option that combines durability, ease of maintenance, and sound-dampening qualities, vinyl is definitely worth considering.
Ready to Elevate Your Space?
When deciding which option is right for you, remember to consider the following:
- Your budget for the project
- Your family’s needs
- Whether you’re installing the flooring yourself or paying for installation
- How much upkeep you’re willing to perform
If you have any questions or want help finding the perfect flooring for your home, contact us at Rome Flooring. We have options for any budget or style preference, and we have the experts to help you take your home to the next level!