When looking for the right flooring type for residential buildings, offices, or other commercial properties, some of the most sought after qualities include durability, easy maintenance, affordable prices and easy installation. One such solution is vinyl flooring. It comes in a plethora of designs, colours and types, which means you can easily find the best fit for your needs and budget.
Contents
Vinyl Composition Tiles
When searching for high-quality and durable flooring vinyl tiles are one of the top choices. Vinyl composition tiles are a great option for do-it-yourself projects. They consist of individual squares of various sizes. One of the advantages of having individual tiles is that they are easier to replace when one tile gets damaged. In addition, you can also use vinyl tiles to arrange a pattern, which will further enhance the resemblance to ceramic tile and stone. They are more expensive than other vinyl flooring types, but they come in various styles and types.
Flooring vinyl tiles are made from limestone, filler materials, a thermoplastic binder, and colour pigments. The materials are fused into sheets, after that cut into tiles, and at the end treated with layers of polish. Vinyl tiles are water-resistant and this makes them very useful for spaces exposed to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms. They’re also a preferred choice for high-traffic areas as they’re easy to replace. Moreover, these vinyl floors are very easy to maintain. All you need to do is mop them regularly. With proper care, vinyl tiles can last from 10-15 years.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is multi-layered, waterproof, resilient flooring. It is designed to replicate hard surface flooring materials, such as wood and stone. LVT offers various styles, from classic and timeless to trendy designs.
LVT includes individual squares of vinyl tiles of different sizes. As with vinyl tiles, you can only change the damaged LVT tiles without having to replace the entire floor. LVT can last about 20-25 years, which is one of the reasons why it’s more expensive than other vinyl flooring types. LVT flooring also requires minimal maintenance that includes sweeping, vacuuming, and wiping up of spills and stains.
It is suitable for all types of spaces, from schools and hospitals to airports and hotel lobbies. LVT is usually installed in commercial settings where there’s heavy foot traffic, or in places where a clean and static-free environment is needed. When it comes to homes, LVT is typically installed in areas where a significant amount of moisture is expected, such as the kitchen, bathrooms, and areas below ground level. In addition, LVT is also comfortable underfoot and reduces noise, which means it is a great option for people with kids or pets.
Vinyl Sheet
Vinyl sheet flooring is made of polymers, but there’s also an internal felt layer, a digital graphic film layer (which actually gives the look of stone, wood, etc.), and a protective outer-wear layer. This is a quite durable flooring type and is great for use in spaces where flooring should be as seamless as possible. It minimizes tripping hazards and this makes it a popular choice for hospitals, healthcare facilities, and assisted living homes. All vinyl floors are moisture-resistant but vinyl sheet provides a much better barrier against moisture because it is a whole roll, which means it doesn’t have those seams and cracks like tiles, through which moisture can seep down.
If you’re wondering how long does vinyl sheet flooring last, you’ll be happy to learn that with proper installation and maintenance it can last 10-12 years. The vinyl sheet doesn’t scratch and doesn’t stain easily too, and due to this, it is another good option for homes with small children and pets.
Vinyl Planks
Vinyl planks are ideal for areas where durability and quality are of utmost importance and where it’s important to have a good finish. They’re made to resemble the appearance of hardwood boards, but cost much less. There is also ceramic plank flooring, but it is less frequent. Despite the design, there are 3 different types of vinyl planks – luxury, waterproof, and rigid core vinyl planks.
The advantage of choosing vinyl planks is that they’re very easy to install, and you can install them on your own. They don’t scratch easily, however, under greater pressure they can still be damaged and repairs can be a little tricky. You can repair small damaged areas with a proper vinyl repair kit, but the patched areas won’t be a perfect match. After a few such repairs, you may have to replace entire planks.