Vinyl is a popular flooring material known for its relatively low price, durability, and range of styles. Whether you’re selecting a special color or you’re looking to mimic the look of wood, stone, or marble; vinyl is an excellent, low maintenance choice.
Vinyl is great for a variety of locations in your home because it can withstand impacts and is resistant to scratches and water damage. It’s also softer than most floors because the back side of the vinyl is padded, which can come in handy if you drop a dish on the floor by accident. Vinyl is a good insulator which will keep your home and feet warm during the winter. In colder climates like Denver, Colorado this can substantially cut your heating bill. Additionally, vinyl can easily be refinished with chemicals and professional cleaning equipment to keep it looking its best.
Types of Vinyl
Vinyl comes in three finishes: No-wax, urethane and enhanced urethane. No-wax floors are suitable for low traffic areas because they require regular washing and periodic polishing to keep up their shine. Urethane coated vinyl floors are good for moderate traffic areas because they are more resistant to scuffs, stains and scrapes, and they clean easily. Enhanced urethane is the best option for high traffic areas because it resists dirt, stains, and liquids, and is much easier to maintain.
Sheets or Tiles
Vinyl flooring is available in either sheets or tiles. Vinyl sheets usually come in 6- or 12-foot-wide rolls and are attached to the floor with adhesive glue. Vinyl tiles are sold in either 12”x12” or 18”x18” formats, and are less expensive to install than sheets. Additionally, if damaged, tiles can be individually replaced. Vinyl floors typically cost $1 to $5 per square foot, depending on the quality and design of the vinyl.
While vinyl sheets are somewhat complicated to install, vinyl tiles are not. They can be installed on your own to save costs, especially ones with peel-and-stick backing; though without prior experience it’s best to have a professional vinyl flooring contractor do the job. Installation of vinyl flooring typically costs $1–$2 depending on the complexity of the project.
Tips
Vinyl floors can stretch and bulge over time. One way to prevent this is to take extra care when moving furniture. Sunlight is also harmful to vinyl. If vinyl flooring is placed in a room which receives lots of sunlight the tiles can curl and form bumps and the color and pattern can fade.
Vinyl is easy to clean and doesn’t require any special equipment or chemicals. If you employ a cleaning service to clean your home, all they have to do is sweep and occasionally mop. Abrasives should not be used as they leave marks and destroy the finish.
Whatever your home’s needs, there is a vinyl floor to match the style and look you desire, without going beyond your budget.