What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is a product made from several layers of materials that are sandwiched together to make a durable, practical, and affordable floor covering.Is Waterproof Vinyl Flooring Good
Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for those looking for a durable flooring option. If installed and maintained correctly, vinyl can last upwards of 10-20 years. It also has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains.What is Luxury Vinyl Floor Made Of
Vinyl flooring is a synthetic material made up of many small pieces of plastic. It is usually covered in a base layer of fiberglass, which is then coated with PVC vinyl and a plasticizer. This creates an embossed sheet that has been printed with a surface layer.
What Are the Different Types of Vinyl Flooring
There are two main types of vinyl flooring:- Sheet Vinyl
- Luxury Vinyl
Sheet Vinyl
Sheet Vinyl flooring is a type of flooring made from fiberglass-backed cushioning. It comes in large sheets that are flexible and can be customized to look like any other type of flooring. Sheet Vinyl is also one of the most affordable types of flooring, and it's free from harmful chemicals such as phthalates.Waterproof Luxury Vinyl
There are two types of luxury vinyl flooring(LVP) Luxury Vinyl Plank or(LVT) Luxury Vinyl Tile. Not only can luxury vinyl look like wood, tile and stone, it can also feel very close to the real thing. With the thicker(5mm up to 12mm) molded material it can have textured and shaped pieces that make it a replica. This isn't just a photo image like traditional sheet vinyl. The added thickness also allows for less prep-work on the subfloor.Advantages of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Water Resistant
Vinyl flooring is resistant to water and dirt, making it an ideal choice for areas that are prone to flooding. This flooring option is made with waterproof materials, such as PVC, which makes it perfect for water-prone areas of the home. Vinyl flooring is a great option for any room in your home, but it excels in the kitchen, laundry room, basement and bathrooms.
Stain Resistant
Vinyl flooring has a wear layer that acts as a surface barrier, protecting the floor from stains and spills. This layer is easy to clean and maintain; by contrast, solid vinyl tiles do not have this protection and will be more susceptible to stains requiring occasional stripping and polishing.Comfortable
Vinyl flooring is a popular option because it is softer and warmer than other hard-surface flooring options. This makes it easier to stand on for long periods of time, and the vinyl also has an additional layer of cushioning which can make standing more comfortable.Durability
Vinyl flooring is a durable material that can last up to twenty years. This advantage makes it great for any room in the house, especially high traffic areas that are constantly assaulted by sneakers, spills and pet's nails.Affordable
Vinyl flooring is a cheaper option than tile or plank vinyl. Sheet vinyl can be mass-produced in huge rolls without having to worry about precision cuts and waste, so it's easy to see why this type of flooring is popular. The price of vinyl flooring also varies depending on the quality of the flooring, so if you buy a reliable brand, it might be more expensive but the quality would also be better so it would still be worth it.Low Maintenance
Vinyl flooring is easy to keep clean. All you need is a good quality cleaner and some elbow grease. There is no need to scrub or clean with a vacuum, which is great news if you have pets or kids in the house. Simply use a damp cloth to clean up spills and stains, and then apply a sealant to keep the floor looking new.
Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Flooring Has Many Design Styles To Choose From
Vinyl sheet flooring is becoming more popular than ever due to its realistic look and feel of other types of flooring. It's perfect for kitchens that want to update their look but don't want to spend a lot of money.How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Cost
Sheet vinyl flooring ranges in price from $2.79 per square foot to $3.99 per square foot. Sheet vinyl can be installed for around $2.50 per square foot, not including any additional floor prep work such as subfloor installation or covering an existing floor.Luxury vinyl flooring can cost from $4 to $12 per square foot, depending on the brand, thickness and finish.
How to Install Vinyl Flooring
Most residential applications don't install vinyl flooring directly over the subfloor. In most cases, 4-by-8-foot sheets of particle board or plywood are installed in preparation for the vinyl floor installation.When installing different types of flooring in a home, it's important to get the finished elevations to match. Cement board, thinset and tile add up to about 5/8 inch. Traditional hardwood flooring is 3/4-inch thick and carpet with pad is usually between 5/8 and 1 inch, depending on the type. Sheet vinyl, however, is only about 1/16-inch thick.
Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank Installation Steps
- Sand Down the High Spots (subfloor prep)
- Fill in the Low Spots (subfloor prep)
- Undercut Doorjambs
- Leave an Expansion Gap Along the Walls
- Snap the Planks Together
- Stagger the Seams
- Tap in the End Planks
- Install Bridge Molding
- Install Shoe Molding
Can you put vinyl flooring on an uneven floor
You can install a vinyl plank over a slightly uneven floor. However, for vinyl flooring installation, you need to ensure that your subfloor is clean and level. This may involve the use of a sanding or self-leveling compound.Do you have to remove old vinyl flooring before installing new vinyl flooring
Yes, you will need to remove the old vinyl first. In some circumstances, you can install new flooring such as laminate flooring, hardwood or engineered flooring over vinyl flooring as long as it is in good condition.How thick should the underlayment be for vinyl flooring
Most vinyl underlayments are 1mm to 1.5mm thick. When dealing with a click lock vinyl of 4mm or thicker, an underlayment has several benefits:- It can help smooth over minor subfloor imperfections.
- It will add extra cushion to the floor, creating a softer feel under foot.
How to Clean and Maintain Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners because it is easy to care for and maintain. Most vinyl flooring can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and a damp mop, but it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific type of vinyl flooring you have. In general, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on vinyl floors, as this may damage the finish.Cleaning Tips for Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank
- With proper maintenance and care, a sheet vinyl floor can look good and last for up to 20 years. The more expensive the vinyl floor, the easier it is to maintain and keep its like-new appearance.
- You need to be careful when moving appliances over sheet vinyl as it can tear if the appliances aren't moved properly.
- Homeowners with large dogs will want to keep their pet's nails trimmed as they would with a hardwood floor.
- Gouges are possible from falling objects such as a can or knife.
- Sheet vinyl is not typically considered waterproof luxury vinyl plank.
