Termite-Proof The composition of vinyl flooring does not attract termites and any other wood burrowing insects. Owners are free from worry of any termites or creepy crawlies wood burrows insect infestation in their home.
Unlike wood flooring, vinyl plank is impervious to termites. This material is shock absorbent and comfortable to walk on. This flooring can be installed on top of your subfloor as long as the subfloor is in good condition.
Hardwood flooring, such as oak, maple, and walnut, is generally more resistant to termites than softwoods. The dense cellular structure and natural compounds found in hardwoods make it more difficult for termites to penetrate and digest the wood.
Polyvinyl chloride is a known carcinogen and contains health and environmental toxins such as dioxin and phthalates. While dioxin is generally only released when exposed to heat, such as during the manufacturing process, it poses a lesser threat to you and your family's health.
Termites – and most insects – have trouble getting through the barrier that vinyl siding provides, and it doesn't act as a food for these destructive insects, thereby making vinyl siding a great cladding to protect against them. Even better: they offer this protection without using toxic pest control products.
Laminate Floors
If inspected more closely, a hollow network of tunnels will be discovered beneath buckled areas. Termites have even been known to chew through the laminate and create small holes.
Vinegar's key weapon is acetic acid, which disrupts termites' delicate exoskeletons and dehydrates them. Direct contact with concentrated vinegar can kill individual termites.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
The average cost to install 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring is between $2,000 and $7,000 for standard vinyl planks and between $3,000 and $10,000 for luxury vinyl planks. Adding in labor costs brings the total to between $5,000 and $20,000.
Does vinyl flooring devalue a home? It's possible. While vinyl plank floors are affordable and versatile, they might not boost your home's resale value like hardwood or tile would.
To deter the pests, homeowners can obtain heartwood-grade lumber for construction projects. Termites also tend to avoid specific species of trees such as redwoods, yellow cedar, Laotian teak, and cypress. However, these types of wood are not as long-lasting as treated lumber.
In this way, teak not only resists termite but also helps in killing them effectively. Thus teak is the best termite proof flooring.
Yes, mold can grow under vinyl flooring if moisture becomes trapped underneath the flooring material. Vinyl flooring is not a breathable material, which means that moisture cannot escape through the flooring.
"I have a rule: You should never see more than two types of flooring from any one place in your home," Jonathan says. In this case, they opted to install luxury vinyl flooring across the main living areas for a cohesive and consistent look.
Vinyl flooring installation costs an average of $2.50 to $13.50 per square foot. Vinyl flooring is a great way to enhance various areas of your home, including living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Vinyl flooring installation costs, on average, between $2.50 to $13.50 per square foot.
The cost for professionally installing vinyl flooring averages around $1.50 -$2.75 for "floating" installation, or $3-$5 for glued installation. To have your carpet installed, on average, labor cost to install carpet is $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. Don't forget about you're carpet padding when factoring the costs.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
Light Wood Floors: The Versatile Option
There's something inherently timeless about light wood floors. They bring a sense of freshness, openness, and brightness to any room. Light hardwood floor colors like Maple, Birchwood, and Hickory have a classic appeal that never fades.
Q: How long does vinyl flooring off-gas? A: The most significant off-gassing typically occurs right after installation. However, lower levels of VOC emissions may continue for weeks or even months. Good ventilation can significantly speed up this process.
SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING
Solid wood flooring has many advantages, including its durability, with proper maintenance and care, solid wood flooring can last a lifetime. This type of flooring in its natural state is also zero-VOC and has no off-gassing qualities since it's made with natural materials.
Termites dislike certain odors that act as repellents to them. Some of the common smells they hate include orange oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, vinegar, mint, and citrus.
Termites are most often attracted to the scent of wood because they primarily feed on wood. The scent of wood will usually lead them right to your doorstep.
Place coffee grounds around the foundation of your home in areas where insects or other pests are entering, or mix them in with mulch while doing landscaping to help keep ants and termites from infesting your mulch bed.