The Ultimate Guide to Vinyl Flooring: Durability, Style, and Installation

Vinyl flooring is hot. Over the past few years this once cheap and cheesy alternative to ceramic and wooden floors has experienced a makeover, evolving from the budget option to the stylish and durable choice for today’s homes. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to update your living space, an interior designer hoping to stay ahead of the trends, or a DIY hobbyist ready to tackle your next project, it’s increasingly important to gain an understanding of all things vinyl flooring, including whether this type of flooring is durable, what the styles are available, and how a luxury vinyl floor can be installed. By the time you’ve read this, you’ll find out why vinyl flooring is a top choice for thousands of homeowners and have all you need to know to make a good decision.

Section 1: Durability

Durability of Vinyl Flooring Compared to Other Options

When deciding on flooring, the longevity is usually one of the key factors that come into play. This is one of the reasons that vinyl flooring is such an excellent purchase: it’s resilient and lasts a long time. Traditional flooring options such as hardwood and carpet can be scratched and dented, as well as stained. Vinyl, on the other hand, doesn’t get scratched or dented. And while it can stain, cleaning and treating stains is much simpler than for hardwood or carpet. This makes it a great choice for high-traffic rooms and for homes with multiple pets or children. It’s also a great option if you have someone with a disability who requires a floor with an even surface without bumps or ridges. In a survey from the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), vinyl flooring can last 10 to 20 years, far longer than some other options such as carpet that need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years.

Statistics and Expert Opinions

Experts point out the reason that vinyl flooring is long-lasting is because of its multilayer structure consisting of the wear layer, the vinyl layer and the backing layer. The reasons behind the long-lasting properties of vinyl flooring are the synthetic polymer urethane as the wear layer, resistance to scratch and stain; and the printed vinyl on its body, keeping the good aesthetic of the flooring. In an assessment report by Grand View Research, the global vinyl flooring market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4 per cent from 2021 to 2028. Demand for durable, low-cost, easy green and convenient flooring are the key factors driving market demand.

Real-World Examples

Take a typical busy chicago family home. The flooring in the living areas were done with LVP and we have been there 5 years later, after heavy use that includes many social gatherings and 100-pound pets running around with no shoes, and the floor looks pristine and with no signs of wear, which is a testament to the long-term durability.Another customer in a retail store in la installed vinyl and has had great success, with minimal to no wear or tear in a high traffic shop five years after the job.

Section 2: Style

Various Styles of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is now available in an almost limitless number of styles, colours and finishes, with fresh offerings appearing on the market every day. You can get planks that look just like expensive hardwoods in the LVT category, as well as the latest LVT offerings with elegant stone looks, both of which are much more affordable than the real deal. You can select from matte, high-gloss or embossed finishings.

Current Trends in Vinyl Flooring Design

Statement-making herringbone and chevron designs are also on-trend in vinyl flooring, as are ‘knobbly’, earth-toned and natural-looking designs, which help bring biophilic design elements into the home. Waterproof and rigid core vinyl are also on the rise, offering a more rigid and stable option that is becoming increasingly popular in kitchens and bathrooms.

Examples of Popular Brands

The leading suppliers got innovative styles . For instance, a Floorté Pro series produced by Shaw Floors offers high-performance core backed by beautiful designs and a product warranty against stains and scratches. Armstrong Flooring’s Vivero collection offers Diamond 10 Technology, which protects its wood and stone looks from scratching and staining.

Visuals

Figure 1: Different styles of vinyl flooring from wood-look planks to stone-look tiles.Alt text. Different styles of vinyl flooring from wood-look planks to various types of stone-look tiles.

Section 3: Installation

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Vinyl Flooring

1. Preparation:

Tools Needed: Tape measure, utility knife, straight edge, adhesive, roller.

Subfloor preparation. Make sure that your subfloor is clean, dry, and level.Take off any of the existing flooring and repair any holes and divots.

Acclimation: Vinyl flooring should be allowed to rest in the room for at least 48 hours prior to installation.

2. Measuring and Planning:

Measure the room and calculate the amount of vinyl needed, adding 10% for waste.

Plan the layout to minimize seams and avoid small, narrow pieces at the edges.

3. Installation:

Dry Fit: Lay out the vinyl pieces without adhesive to ensure a proper fit.

Adhesive Application: Apply the adhesive based upon the type of vinyl. Some is ‘peel and stick’, others require the glue be reduced to the subfloor.

Where you want to hang the Vinyl: Pull the backing off a piece of vinyl and lay it from one corner so the grommets overhang. Work your way across, smoothing out bubbles by firmly pressing down on the vinyl.

Seams and Edges: The last step is to roller out the seams and edges to give the final result a smooth look.

4. Finishing Touches:

Trim excess vinyl along the edges with a utility knife.

Install baseboards or trim to cover the edges and give a polished look.

Tips for Professional and DIY Installations

For DIY enthusiasts, choosing click-lock vinyl planks can simplify the installation process.

Industry experts often recommend putting in a moisture barrier underlayment under floorings that are in damp spaces.

Case Study: A DIY Success Story

A homeowner in Austin, Texas, today puts down vinyl flooring in his kitchen. He has never installed flooring, but following a series of simple instructions, he easily installs the new floor and finishes his renovation over a weekend. The floor lays flat and sturdy because he followed the careful instructions for the click-lock system.

acting following the directions given him by the manufacturer. The result was a sleek, glistening kitchen floor that fit his avant-garde panopticon.

Visuals

Installing Flooring Vinyl Floor Installation Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Installing Flooring Vinyl Floor InstallationStep 1Before you start installing your vinyl floor, make sure you’ve prepared the subfloor and cut the flooring panels to fit your space. To prepare the subfloor, you should sweep or vacuum it thoroughly to remove any dust and debris. Then, use a tape measure, pencil and chalk line to mark the flooring area so that the panels will fit perfectly. Check the chalk line with the tape measure to ensure the sections you’ve marked for the vinyl are the exact width of the panels. If not, re-measure and mark the area.Next, use a utility knife to cut the panels. The utility knife should be equipped with a fresh blade to ensure clean cuts in the vinyl panels. Once you’ve decided which panels to use, place them on protective materials like carpet remnants, cardboard or tar paper. Then, use a straightedge and a utility knife to cut the vinyl into the desired lengths and widths.Step 2Installing Flooring Vinyl Floor InstallationStep 2Now it’s time to start laying the vinyl flooring. Using clear adhesive and a notched trowel, apply glue to one or two pieces of vinyl and press them onto the floor. Make sure to smooth the panels using an ordinary floor roller so that the edges are adhered securely and do not come apart.Step 3After each panel has been adhered, cut it to fit using a pocket knife and straightedge. Once the vinyl has been cut, use a wet mop or soap and water to clean the area around it.Step 4Installing Flooring Vinyl Floor InstallationStep 4Next, use spacers to seal the panels together. However, before sealing the panels with the spacers, use the toilet-paper roll technique to create an invisible line around the panels that need sealing.Step 5Finally, once the vinyl panels are laid out and spaced, the entire synthetic flooring installation is complete.

Conclusion

Vinyl flooring is now a sturdy, stylish and surprisingly easy-to-install option for your next home improvement project. Its ability to withstand stains, scratches and general wear and tear make it a practical choice for families with multiple kids and pets, but the variety of design options means it’s not just ‘for the kids’ anymore. Whether you purchase and install it yourself or have a professional fix it up for you, vinyl flooring is a durable, budget-friendly, tasteful option for almost any project.

Taking all advantageous factors into account, vinyl flooring is liable to be the greatest investment for any home owner on their way to making their house more functional as well as improve its appearance. It’s time to change your environment! Asses the many vinyl flooring options avail at your hand now. Get started with your next home improvement mind block right away!

References

Image courtesey of Grand View Research.Vinyl Flooring Market Size, Share And Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028. (2021).

World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). (2021). The Benefits of Vinyl Flooring.