Thicker vinyl sheets, tiles, or planks will generally be best in terms of offering more comfortable underfoot and are likely to be more durable. Wear layer: Most vinyl flooring products consist of several layers for strength, and the surface wear layer should always be the thickest.
The thicker the wear layer, the better the overall quality and the longer the flooring will last. Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for the wear layer. As a rule of thumb, 8 mil is a good choice for a residential area with moderate traffic.
Rigid core vinyl plank flooring is equipped with a dense composite core engineered for longevity and durability in high-traffic areas.
The 20-22 mil thickness can actually withstand commercial environments. Choose flooring with a middle or higher wear layer if it will be in a high-traffic area of your home. A thinner thickness will be fine if the room in issue is unlikely to have substantial foot traffic. 12 mil works just fine in residential homes.
There are three main types of vinyl flooring: LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and sheet vinyl. The best option for you and your home will depend on several factors including your style preferences, installation considerations, and budget factors.
Luxury vinyl is made more durable by its thicker wear layer is higher quality vinyl. On the off chance a a plank does get damaged, it can be replaced rather than replacing the entire floor. Standard vinyl flooring is expected to last about 10 years with higher quality brands lasting as long as 15 years.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) has incredible hardwood floor, ceramic tile, or natural stone visuals. These products are much thicker (5mm up to 12mm) than traditional sheet vinyl floors (2mm) and can usually be installed over existing floors where sheet vinyl would most likely need a new subfloor.
We recommend choosing thicker vinyl for added stability and support. If the subfloor are tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain or terrazzo, you'll need to make sure there are no loose tiles and that the surface is levelled. Thicker vinyl is recommended.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
Additionally, consider thicker planks are a good choice in areas with heavy items occupying them, whereas thinner planks are suited to areas with low traffic. And, because thinner planks usually cost less, they're a good option for those on a tighter budget.
Vinyl is a soft material: One of its advantages is also its greatest weakness: its lightness. Heavy furniture can dent and mark vinyl floors, while sharp objects can pierce the upper layers. Discolouration: LVT flooring can suffer from sun damage if laid in conservatories or near south-facing doors/windows.
Oracal 751 is an extra long lasting permanent adhesive vinyl. This may be your best bet for products that will be washed or that you want to really last a long time.
Additionally, lighter-colored flooring will make a room feel larger and more open, contributing to a feeling of cleanliness. Light vinyl flooring tiles and planks can help hide debris, such as dust and pet hair. These floors will also hide scratches better than dark ones, making them ideal for households with pets.
Because it is a thicker product, luxury vinyl feels somewhat softer underfoot and has better sound-blocking properties than standard vinyl flooring. This is especially true of luxury vinyl with cork or foam underlayment layers built into the product.
When you're choosing your flooring, you'll need to consider the thickness of the vinyl, the wear layer, and the installation method. Armed with this information, you should be able to find the perfect vinyl plank flooring for your home!
Not environmentally friendly
Off-gassed VOCs can adversely affect health and an indoor environment, particularly without windows or ventilation, will lead to higher concentrations. If this is a concern for you, we recommend avoiding high-VOC vinyl flooring and choosing a low-VOC floor instead.
Generally speaking, vinyl sheet flooring will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, while vinyl plank and tile flooring will last 15 to 20 years. The thickness of its wear layer vastly impacts vinyl flooring's lifespan, so pay attention to this detail when purchasing your flooring.
LVT will never look “cheap” — it will make your life easier and enhance the look and comfort of your home.
1) Light and dark flooring
Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up.
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.
In short, vinyl flooring itself can be completely self sustainable and does not require an underlayment to function properly. Another reason underlayments may be suggested for vinyl flooring is if the vinyl flooring type is thin.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles or Planks
At first glance, you might think of vinyl flooring as low-end, but manufacturers now produce high-end vinyl flooring tiles or planks that adapt to many uses in a luxury home. They produce the flooring in a huge array of colors and patterns, some of which mimic stone or wood finishes.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
LVT is a type of vinyl flooring that is designed to imitate natural flooring options such as hardwood and ceramic tile. Thanks to technological advances and enhanced design capability, vinyl floors can now look and feel nearly identical to the products they're mimicking.
Since the flooring hovers just above the subfloor, this is often a perfect choice for imperfect subfloor situations or various materials. Some floating installations create a hollow sound when people walk over them, which can be alleviated by installing a quality underlayment.