Finishing your home? Conducting some much-needed renovations to your office? Now's the right time to start thinking on the type of flooring you're going to opt for. If you're looking for a substitute to the traditional ceramic tiles, vinyl flooring is one option you should consider, if you want your space to feel modern. Its gain in popularity comes as no surprise, as its features make it an attractive option for both flooring and walls, in all types of environments.

What is vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is composed from synthetic coloured PVC, which is formed in sheets with varying thickness, through heat and pressure. It comes in different types: sheet vinyl, and Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVF)- which is thicker, and can be bought in plank or tile form.

Where can you use vinyl flooring?

From residential spaces, to commercial and industrial premises, vinyl is a material which can be used throughout all types of indoor environments. When it comes to outdoor use, best to check with the manufacturing company, as certain high-quality materials are also suitable for outdoor decking. Due to its waterproof quality, vinyl is an effective flooring option for bathrooms, kitchens and any other space which may be prone to moisture.

Why use vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring carries with it a lot of beneficial features, which make it a promising flooring solution. However, as with any other material, it also has certain drawbacks. Here's an overview of its pros and cons below:

Vinyl Flooring Pros:

• Durable: If you buy a high quality material and ensure proper installation, you can expect it to have a long lifespan.
• Stylish: Its modern look will enhance the ambience of your room and will give you the stylish solution you've been looking for.
• Aesthetically pleasing: Vinyl offers various colours and patterns to choose from. You can opt for wood, stone or ceramic effects, depending on your taste.
• Smooth finish: Vinyl is comfortable to walk on, being softer than the traditional ceramic tiles.
• Water-resistant: Being composed wholly of PVC, this material is guaranteed to be waterproof.
• Attractive features: Certain types of vinyl may be resistant to stains, scratches and UV.
• Quiet: You can install sound insulation under the vinyl flooring.
• Heat insulation: Underfloor heating systems can be installed easily.
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Suitable for spaces prone to high foot traffic
• Easy and quick installation: Vinyl flooring is easily installed using either the click system, peel-and-stick, or grip-strip methods, which all produce accurate work.
• Cost-effective
• Can be fitted over existing tiles
• Resistant to variations in temperatures

Vinyl Flooring Cons:

• Toxic chemicals: Certain hazardous chemicals which were used during the manufacturing process, may be emitted after vinyl is installed. However, this depends on the actual chemicals used by the brand, and its age.
• Not biodegradable: Vinyl isn't environmentally-friendly as it cannot be recycled, so it will eventually end up in a landfill.
• Subfloor: Before installing vinyl flooring, you need to ensure the ground is smooth, dry, and clean. If any granules are trapped under the vinyl planks or tiles, they can produce lumps, and eventually, may tear the vinyl.
• Stains with rubber: When in contact with rubber surfaces, vinyl is liable to stains, especially solid vinyl.
• Difficult to repair: If damaged, vinyl would need to be replaced.
• Can discolour: This is only the case with low quality materials.

Services offered by Vinyl Flooring Stores

Apart from vinyl products, most flooring outlets also offer installation, maintenance and interior design services to their customers. Additionally, these suppliers may also provide other types of flooring, such as parquet floors, laminate flooring, and raised floors.

Vinyl vs Laminate Flooring: What's the difference?

Although sometimes confused with laminate flooring, due to their similar look and attributes, vinyl and laminate are distinct types of flooring. While vinyl is 100% PVC, laminate's core is made up of fibreboard, so it's not water-resistant. While beforehand, you could tell the difference between laminate and vinyl, nowadays, they have much more natural-looking effects, which makes them hard to distinguish. In terms of value, laminate is regarded as superior to vinyl, due to it being composed of wood, and it classifies better with regard to environmental sustainability, due to its wood composition.

How can you take care of vinyl flooring?

If you want your vinyl to retain its original shine, follow these tips to boost its lifespan:

• Use a doormat to reduce dust and grime from entering the house.
• Sweep or vacuum daily.
• Wipe spills without unnecessary delays.
• Once a week, mop your floor with a damp cloth and warm water.
• Make sure you don't drench the floor, and avoid using hot water.
• If you need to remove a stain, use a neutral detergent, and make sure you rinse well when you use soap.
• Insert floor protectors on your furniture legs and avoid buying sharp legged furniture when possible
• Avoid contact with rubber surfaces
• Don't use abrasive products, solvents, wax and oil-based cleaning products, and steam cleaners.