Vinyl flooring has been a ubiquitous part of many homes and businesses for several decades due to its low cost and durability. For many homeowners, vinyl can be a great flooring option in areas where moisture is a concern, since it cleans up easily and resists water damage much better than wood or carpeting. If you are considering vinyl flooring, learning about the available options, maintenance requirements, and installation procedures can simplify your flooring decision. Gather some information about choosing, installing and maintaining a vinyl floor in your home.
Vinyl is sold in either a painted or inlaid format. Painted vinyl is cheaper than inlaid vinyl, but it is also significantly less durable and tends to wear out much faster. Inlaid vinyl is generally a better option for high-traffic commercial areas, but some homeowners prefer the larger selection of painted vinyl.
Vinyl flooring can come in rolls or tiles, depending on the type and size of area you want covered. Both options can produce a similar look and level of durability, so the choice is primarily aesthetic. Vinyl tile can make it easier to replace a small section of flooring if necessary, but color matching will become much more difficult as the vinyl ages and starts to fade.
Vinyl tiles are generally peel-and-stick, which makes them simple for a homeowner to install without help. Vinyl rolls can be rolled out directly onto a prepared floor, using heat-seam tape to seal the sheets together once they're down. A wooden or concrete sub-floor should always be protected from moisture with building paper before laying down vinyl. Leave vinyl sitting for at least 24 hours and the room temperature should be at least 68 degrees F before using the floor to extend durability. Vinyl can be swept, vacuumed and washed with dish soap and a non-abrasive cloth or sponge. Once vinyl is old enough to become cracked and faded, it is probably time to simply replace the flooring.