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Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide

Vinyl Flooring Buying Guide

Everything You Need to Know When Shopping for Vinyl Flooring

Looking for new flooring options? Vinyl floors are one of the most durable and affordable floorings for busy households. Learn more about your vinyl flooring options and see why more and more people are choosing vinyl for their homes. 

In a busy household, durability is no doubt on the top of your list when considering your flooring options. What if we told you that you could get something that is not only durable but stylish too? It's true – vinyl flooring could be the solution for you!

Vinyl flooring is a great option for any home, and with the incredible design advances that have been made over the years – you should forget everything you think you know about vinyl floors and read our guide to learn how to buy vinyl flooring.

What is Vinyl Flooring? 

Vinyl flooring is made of synthetics materials like fiberglass and PVC vinyl. It’s become popular because of its durability, resistance to moisture and affordability in comparison to other materials like wood or tile. These attributes make it a great pick for any room in your home, especially areas prone to spills like kitchens and bathrooms.

 

Considerations When Choosing Vinyl Flooring:

 

Subflooring
It is recommended that the subfloor of any vinyl floor installation be as perfectly smooth and flat as possible. Due to vinyl being "soft," it will show any imperfections in the subfloor. Any particles (large or small) that may get under the floor during installation will potentially cause lumps in the surface and over time can wear down the material itself, causing tears and rips in the product.

  1. Direct sunlight 
    Direct sunlight can fade vinyl flooring color over time, so keep that in mind when deciding if it's right for the room you're remodeling.
  2. Heavy loads
    Vinyl flooring doesn't 100% always stand up well to heavy loads and can be damaged by sharp objects. Let's face it, not everything is going to be 100% perfect, but vinyl flooring is quite close. 
  3. Moisture
    While vinyl flooring is waterproof due to its topcoat sealing layer, moisture in the subflooring can cause vinyl curling, cupping and lifting issues. It’s important to make sure the subfloor is dry and well-sealed prior to installation. 
  4. Repairs & damage
    Vinyl flooring is notably one of the most durable, affordable flooring options and can last for many, many years. However, unlike some flooring options, vinyl flooring cannot be refinished if it is damaged and will need to be replaced. 
  5. Resale value
    While vinyl flooring is extremely versatile, durable and affordable, due to its perception, it may not add significant resale value to your property, unlike more desirable options like natural hardwood or tile flooring.

Frequently Asked Questions about Vinyl Flooring

Is vinyl flooring good?

Yes, vinyl flooring can be a good option for many situations due to its durability, water resistance, affordability and wide variety of design choices. This makes it suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, while also being easy to clean and maintain.

How much does vinyl flooring cost per sq. ft.?

Vinyl has a wide range of pricing going anywhere from $1.99 per sq. ft up to $10.99.  Features and benefits, such as thickness, will increase the price.

Is vinyl flooring waterproof?

Yes, vinyl flooring is waterproof, but the quality of installation can affect how well it resists water. Subfloor preparation is very important based on the conditions. The type of vinyl is also important.  For example, vinyl tile has multiple seams where water can seep through, while vinyl rolls have fewer seams.

Vinyl vs laminate: Is vinyl flooring better than laminate?

While both flooring options are renowned for durability, there are differences that become important when trying to decide between the two. Here are some factors to consider:

•    Appearance
•    Water resistance and durability
•    Installation
•    Lifespan
•    Dogs, cats and other pets

Check out our blog on the differences between vinyl and laminate.

 

Do I need an underlayment with vinyl flooring?

While not strictly necessary in all cases, it is generally recommended to use an underlayment for vinyl plank flooring, especially if the planks don't have an attached pad. This can significantly improve comfort, sound insulation and moisture protection by adding cushioning and providing a more stable base. 

Shop Vinyl Flooring

Choosing Different Types of Vinyl Flooring

There are many types of vinyl to consider when selecting your flooring.

  • Sheet vinyl
    Sheet vinyl is vinyl flooring that comes in a large roll, which makes it easy to install. It’s made of the same materials as other vinyl flooring, but thinner than options like luxury vinyl. 
  • Groutable vinyl 
    These are peel-and-stick tiles look like ceramic or stone but are much easier and more affordable to install. Grouting around them seals in the edges of the tiles, making your floors more water resistant. 
  • LVT (luxury vinyl tile)
    Luxury vinyl tile is more affordable and easier to maintain than wood, stone or ceramic. It can mimic a variety of looks and doesn’t require grouting.
  • LVP (luxury vinyl planks)
    Plank vinyl is a durable, more affordable alternative to hardwood. These planks, which have interlocking edges, are easy to install and can mimic the look of wood.
  • VCT (vinyl composition tiles)
    VCT is made of composite materials and is more affordable than luxury vinyl. However, it is not quite as durable and can require more maintenance. 

Learn About Types of Vinyl Flooring


Sheet Vinyl vs Vinyl Plank Flooring

Sheet vinyl, also referred to as rolled vinyl flooring, is exactly what it sounds like: a type of vinyl flooring that’s sold in a long, single roll. It can have a pattern, or it can look like wood or stone. Sheet vinyl has many of the benefits of other vinyl products, but it’s also one of the easiest and most affordable types of vinyl to install. 


Unlike sheet vinyl, which has a limited number of seams, vinyl plank flooring is made up of interlocking planks. While it’s more expensive than rolled vinyl flooring, it’s a great alternative to hardwood and can better mimic the look of a natural wood floor.

Both options are durable, affordable and waterproof, making them excellent options for flooring throughout your home.

Learn more about the different pros and cons of sheet vinyl flooring.

Vinyl Flooring Pros and Cons

Thanks to today's improved technology, the benefits of vinyl flooring are numerous, including:

  • Low maintenance
    By design, vinyl flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas and is easy to clean, requiring significantly less maintenance than traditional hardwood and carpet.
  • Budget-friendly
    Vinyl floors can vary in price, but they’re cheaper than materials like hardwood, stone or slate. 
  • Durability
    Vinyl floors are generally durable enough to last 10-20 years, making them great choices for high-trafficked areas in your home. 
  • Easy installation
    Vinyl floors are generally one of the easiest flooring materials to install, regardless of the exact type you choose.
  • 100% Waterproof
    All vinyl flooring products are waterproof. Just make sure they’re installed correctly! Otherwise, water could seep through the seams. 
  • Comfortability 
    Vinyl floors are often softer and warmer than tile and hardwood floors. 

Vinyl flooring started out as the industry's best-kept secret, but as it continues to grow in popularity you might be wondering what all the hype is about. Explore more pros and cons of vinyl flooring.

Vinyl Flooring Thickness & Wear Layers

To be best prepared when making your final selection. we've broken down a few more things you should be aware of when shopping for vinyl floors — thickness and wear layers.

Vinyl Floor Thickness

Besides the type of lifestyle and traffic the space will endure, considering the subfloor is important when buying vinyl floors. If you plan to have your new floor installed on a solid, level, smooth and dry concrete pad, then you won't need the thickest wear layer of vinyl that's available. But if you have an uneven subfloor in a space that's going to go through a lot of high traffic, the best range to get would be between 12 mil and 20 mil.


Vinyl Floor Wear layers

There are different components that make up vinyl flooring thickness. Vinyl flooring is composed of several different layers:

Vinyl flooring shopping guide

The wear layer is like the bodyguard of your floor. Its measurements are put in the thousands-of-an-inch, called mils. The more wear layer you have between your top coat and the decorative layer, the longer the floor is going to last. Twenty to 28-mil ratings are typically for higher traffic and commercial areas. Learn more about vinyl wear layers.

Installing Vinyl Flooring

 

A major benefit of vinyl flooring is how easy it is to install. Installation requires relatively few tools, and preparing your house for installers is simple.  Depending on the exact type of vinyl flooring you choose, installation can take as little as 1-2 days. 

Get the Vinyl Flooring Pre-installation Guide 

Get Installation Help

Alternatives to Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl Flooring at Avalon Flooring

Ultimately, when choosing flooring, you can rest assured that vinyl's performance is built to withstand the busiest lifestyle. Vinyl flooring is practical, easy to maintain, affordable and meant to last a long time in your home. So, make sure you come to visit one of our locations to see the durable material in person, it'll be worth the trip!

Related Articles and Style Trends:

https://www.avalonflooring.com/blogs/blog/tile-sizes-and-shapes-buying-guide
https://www.avalonflooring.com/blogs/blog/laminate-flooring-vs-engineered-hardwood-flooring
https://www.avalonflooring.com/blogs/blog/professional-flooring-installation-vs-diy 

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