Vinyl Flooring all you need to know before buying

Vinyl flooring has made alot of improvement in the last few decades and stands today as another top choice. It is stylish, durable and affordable. Previously we discussed laminate floors which have alot in common with vinyl floors. With advances in technology, vinyl have come a long way.

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Today vinyl is rival alternative choices to more expensive natural materials like hardwood, stone and tile. Vinyl and laminate are today made to very realistically resemble these materials. No longer are these types of flooring just a cheap looking imitation that last a few short years.

Improvements in construction have greatly increased the durability and longevity for both types of flooring. These materials are today made with a wear layer that on quality products is highly resistent to scuffs and scratches.

Vinyl Flooring & Laminate Flooring —> today’s Most Popular Flooring Choices

Both laminate and vinyl flooring are considered to be durable, well made materials that stand up well to surface wear. Yet overall vinyl is the most durable due to it’s high moisture resistence. There is varying estimates on the lifespan of vinyl and laminate, though both average somewhere from 10-20 years in high traffic, but can last even longer depending on the conditions and quality of the flooring and installation. We’ve seen less expensive vinyl tile over 15 years old in some homes & the vinyl still looked like new. Luxury vinyl tile is the highest quality & durability & lasts much longer.

Laminate flooring typically has a 5-10 year manufacturer warranty while luxury vinyl usually comes with 10-15 years. Either laminate or vinyl of good quality can be quite suitable for any room in a house, yet vinyl is often chosen over laminate in places where moisture can be a factor.

The Main Advantage of Vinyl Flooring?

The biggest advantage of vinyl plank flooring is the fact that it is 100% water resistant. This means surface water and spills won’t affect the flooring. This makes it the ideal flooring solution for spaces such as basements, kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants and cafes.

Construction of Luxury Vinyl Flooring Products

As mentioned high quality solid vinyl products (often labeled as Luxury Vinyl) are composed of several layers. Products vary but there is usually 6-8 layers. Generally the layers consist of

Clear top coat layer adding sheen and protection
Clear wear layer to protect the design layer
Design layer with high resolution printed image
Cushion layer of foam or felt making the floor softer and more comfortable to walk on
Fiberglass backing layer gives support to other layers and allows flooring to lie flat and even
Solid PVC baking layer gives further foundational support, strength and ease of installation