Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide
What you need to know about buying vinyl flooring.
Nowadays, vinyl is available in many styles, making it a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and any other space you want to use it. If you’re considering vinyl flooring, this guide will help you explore the pros and cons.
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What is vinyl flooring?
Sheet vinyl (vinyl roll) is a popular type of flooring that, like luxury vinyl tiles, has multiple layers, including a decorative top layer. This product is similar to luxury vinyl tiles and planks in several ways, but instead of individual pieces, you purchase the vinyl on a roll at your desired width, as you do when buying carpet.
Sheet vinyl is popular because it is comfortable, long-lasting, and relatively inexpensive compared to many other types of flooring – arguably one of the most affordable flooring solutions for homeowners.
Vinyl floors can provide a distinctive style that will complement the décor of just about any area in your home. And even though people have used the names interchangeably, sheet vinyl and linoleum are different flooring types.
Types of vinyl flooring design
In terms of their appearance, the main types of vinyl flooring are as follows:
Plain Vinyl
Plain vinyl flooring might be the perfect solution if you’re looking for a reliable and stylish option. Available in many colour options, you can rest assured that you’ll find the ideal match for your aesthetic preferences. Moreover, plain effect vinyl flooring is renowned for its consistency in quality, meaning you won’t have to compromise on style for functionality.
These facts make plain vinyl an ideal choice for anyone wanting reliable, functional, and visually appealing flooring.
Wood Effect Vinyl
There are vinyl options that imitate different types of wood with remarkable authenticity. These wood-effect vinyl products can mimic almost any wood and may surprise you with their realistic appearance.
When it comes to vinyl with a wood effect, there’s a wide range of options to choose from. These options include black, grey, and shades ranging from light to dark. Each option can add a unique and stylish touch to any space while providing the durability and ease of maintenance that vinyl flooring is known for.
Tile Effect Vinyl
If you like the look of tiles but want to avoid the high cost of buying them, tile effect vinyl flooring could be an excellent choice for your household. Plus, vinyl with a tile effect is slip-resistant, water-resistant, and durable, making it a safe and long-lasting option for any room in your house.
Tile effect vinyl is ideal for replicating the look of natural slate or stone tiles in your kitchen, bathroom or any other desired space. This type of vinyl flooring mimics the look of natural slate or stone but with the added benefits of being more affordable, easier to install, and easier to maintain.
Mosaic Effect Vinyl
Mosaic vinyl flooring is a simple yet effective choice that’s become fashionable again and can inject a pop of colour into your room effortlessly. The mosaic pattern combines different coloured vinyl tiles cut and arranged in a specific way to create an intricate, eye-catching design.
A vast array of mosaic patterns can infuse any space with a classic, refined atmosphere that transcends time.
Patterned Vinyl
Patterned vinyl flooring can add character to any space and bring your room to life. Adding patterned vinyl flooring to your space can be an excellent way to inject personality and charm into your home or office.
The intricate designs and colour combinations available can bring a room to life, creating a visually appealing and functional space. There’s an increasingly large variety of patterns and designs so you might be ‘spoilt for choice’.
Top tips when buying vinyl flooring
We recommend you consider these critical things before buying vinyl flooring.
Is there an anti-slip coating?
Vinyl that’s suitable for kitchens and bathrooms is water-resistant, which is excellent, but this can increase the risk of slips if spills of water or moisture gather on the surface. So, if you buy vinyl flooring for an area prone to moisture or where splashes are frequent (such as in a bathroom or kitchen), check whether it has an anti-slip coating or slip-resistant features.
Vinyl flooring with an R10 classification means that the top surface of the vinyl has a slip-resistant layer added to it. This slip-resistant layer is exactly what you want if you plan to fit vinyl floors in your bathroom or kitchen.
Check the vinyl thickness
When buying vinyl flooring, we highly recommend that you pay close attention to the thickness of the vinyl material. This is particularly important because the thickness of the vinyl material will determine to a large extent, the performance of your floor.
If you opt for thinner vinyl material, it may not have the strength and resilience to hold up well over time and could therefore be susceptible to cracking, tearing, or even breaking. Make sure to distinguish the vinyl flooring thickness from the thickness of the wear layer.
Vinyl thickness varies from product to product and between different manufacturers. As a general guide. the thicknesses are as follows:
- 2MM-4MM – Low-traffic areas
- 4MM-6MM – Heavy-traffic areas
- 6MM-8MM – Usually for commercial use
Thicker types of vinyl usually provide more stability, comfort and support but thicker vinyl flooring doesn’t necessarily mean it is more durable. Vinyl flooring can also feel cold underfoot if it is too thin.
Consider the wear layer thickness
In high-traffic areas, you will likely want a thicker wear layer on the vinyl because a thicker wear layer makes the flooring more durable. Its unique wear layer provides many benefits for homeowners, including resistance to scratches, stains and fading.
The wear layer is the topmost thin layer of vinyl flooring that provides the final protective barrier against general wear and tear.
The thickness of the wear layer in vinyl flooring varies depending on the manufacturer and the design. While some manufacturers offer wear layers as thin as 0.1mm, others provide thicknesses up to 1mm.
Take care with the installation
The quality of the flooring installation can significantly affect how long the sheet vinyl lasts. Although we always suggest getting a professional fitter, if you decide to install it on your own, it’s essential to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper installation.
The advantages of vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring has existed for decades, but today’s vinyl flooring has some great features. These include the following:
Less expensive
While luxury vinyl tiles are less expensive than the natural stone and wood floors they mimic, sheet vinyl (on a roll) can cost even less. It is generally one of the most affordable floor coverings while boasting many qualities of other vinyl types, such as LVT and LVP.
Extremely durable
Vinyl flooring is one of the most versatile, resilient materials suitable for high-traffic areas. If properly installed and maintained, it is incredibly durable. You can increase its durability further by choosing vinyl with a thicker wear layer. The thickness of the wear layer will directly affect the durability and longevity of your new floor.
Easy to clean
Cleaning vinyl floors is relatively straightforward. You can remove grit and dirt that can scratch your floor by sweeping or vacuuming it frequently. It’s best to wipe any spills up promptly with a damp cloth or mop, and if necessary, only use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.
We recommend referring to the cleaning guidelines provided by the vinyl flooring manufacturers, as they produce products with varying properties and qualities.
Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide Summary
Whether you want the natural look of wood or stone, patterned vinyl or the simplicity of a solid colour, vinyl flooring could be the answer. It is known for its durability, moisture resistance, and affordability.
Vinyl can have a solid colour or be embossed to add a textured effect. Ultimately, the thickness of the wear layer determines the longevity of the flooring. The wear layer, therefore, is important when selecting the right vinyl flooring for your home.
Overall, vinyl flooring is a versatile option that can improve the aesthetics and functionality of any space. Vinyl works well in high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces and can mimic the look of natural materials.
Please browse our range of vinyl flooring, which includes many top brand names such as Polyflor. Now could be the time to upgrade your room and make it shine with the stylish and durable appeal of vinyl flooring. If you do, you won’t be disappointed!
If this vinyl flooring buying guide has been helpful, check out our other carpet and flooring buying guides.
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