Vinyl flooring is well known for its durability, diversity in design, and affordability, so it is a great choice for flooring renovation. However, there are various vinyl flooring options among which you may decide and choose the best option for your place. In this article, some key factors for choosing the right vinyl flooring option will be explained to help you better decide about your future flooring.
1. Types of vinyl flooring
The first factor to consider when choosing a vinyl flooring product is knowing about the types of flooring. There are four main types of vinyl flooring:
- Vinyl sheet: This type is available in large rolls and it is a suitable option for moist areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Vinyl Plank (LVP): This type of vinyl has a more realistic wooden look and it is easy to install.
- Vinyl Tile (LVT): This vinyl flooring type has a luxurious look of ceramic and stone which provides a great appearance to your place.
- Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF): This type is a combination of the luxurious look of vinyl tile (LVT) and the realistic appearance of vinyl plank (LVP). LVF flooring is a suitable choice for high-traffic areas.
2. Consider the room and traffic level before choosing vinyl flooring
Another point to consider when choosing a vinyl flooring product is the level of traffic and type of the place where you want to make changes to its flooring.
- High-traffic areas: In high-traffic areas like commercial places, living rooms, and salons, you need to choose a thicker more resistant, and durable vinyl flooring option. LVF in this case is the best choice because of its thicker layers and
- Low-traffic areas: In low-traffic areas, you have more options as in these places like bedrooms, the stability of the vinyl flooring is less important than the appearance of it. Therefore, it is better to look for vinyl products with a more elegant look.
- Moisture-prone areas: In moisture-prone places like the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, it is important to choose vinyl products that have a kind of water-resistance feature due to their tight and compressed construction to prevent water absorption.
3. Wear layer of the vinyl flooring
The wear layer of the vinyl is another important factor to consider. The wear layer is the top layer of the vinyl flooring which protects the flooring from dents, scratches, and stains. The thicker the layer is, the more stable against mentioned damage it is. For residential uses (living rooms, home offices, bedrooms, etc), the wear layer thickness is better to be between 6 mm to 12 mm, but for high-traffic places like commercial buildings, the vinyl wear layer thickness is better to be between 12 mm to 20 mm.
4. Design preferences of the vinyl flooring
The next factor that should be considered in the vinyl flooring selection procedure is their various designs. If you prefer a warm look of wood with good stability, the vinyl planks are the best choice for you as their variety ranges from light oak to dark walnut with different shades. If you are looking for a modern look of ceramic or stone which are suitable designs for places like kitchens, you can go for the vinyl tiles. If you like patterned vinyl products with different colors, you can consider geometric-patterned vinyl products that can be a great option for every space due to their unique appearance.
5. Vinyl flooring installation method
There are three vinyl flooring installation methods that you need to think about when consulting with professional flooring experts.
- Glue-down: In this method, vinyl tiles or planks are adhered to the subfloor with specific glows. In the glow-down, which is a permanent method of vinyl flooring installation, the subfloor should be carefully checked to ensure there are not any uneven points.
- Click-lock: In this method, the vinyl planks or tile interlock with each other and there is no need to use adhesive. Click-lock solution is an easy-to-do vinyl installation method that can be done by yourself.
- Peel and stick: In this method, which is known as the easiest way of vinyl flooring installation, you can use peel-and-stick vinyl tiles.
6. Vinyl flooring budget considerations
The next and maybe the most important consideration about vinyl flooring selection is your budget. You need to consider all the expenses before and during the installation, so it is important to have a good perspective of all certain and possible expenses during the installation process. The first thing is the vinyl product price which is mostly calculated per square foot. The next cost is the installation payment which is also calculated per square foot. If there are uneven spaces before the vinyl installation, you should think about floor levelling which has its expenses. An important note about budget consideration is that sometimes you need to pay more to save your money for the long term and to prevent future repair and replacement costs.
7. Vinyl flooring maintenance
Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular flooring options for its easy maintenance. Most of the vinyl products can be easily cleaned with a damp mop and suitable cleaning products. Regular vacuuming is a good solution to keep your flooring always clean and dust-free. An important point to consider about vinyl flooring maintenance is avoiding direct sun exposure as it can cause fading and change the color of the flooring over time. If direct sunlight exists at your place, we recommend you choose UV-resistant vinyl flooring products.
💡You can read our “10 reasons to choose vinyl flooring” article to find out more reasons for choosing this type of flooring.
Conclusion
Vinyl flooring is a great and affordable solution especially when you want to have a quick flooring renovation or replacement. This type of flooring is durable and it is available in various colors and patterns with different thicknesses, so you can choose the right vinyl flooring option based on the space traffic and humidity conditions. This flooring type does not need any specific maintenance routine except for daily vacuuming and mopping. MA Flooring, a professional flooring service provider in Melbourne offers you free consultation about your desired flooring type and provides you with the latest vinyl products. Just feel and contact our experts for more information.