Vinyl Flooring
While there are many different choices for flooring, as you will discover, there are definite times when choosing vinyl flooring is the best option. For one thing, vinyl flooring is the most affordable material on the market but that does not mean you have to sacrifice quality or appearance. Years ago, vinyl flooring left much to be desired but today, you will find hundreds of beautiful designs and styles to make your home stunning. Just imagine saving as much as 70% off the price of other flooring while still having a spectacular design.
Vinyl flooring is also a great choice when it comes to installation. This type of floor material can be installed as a do-it-yourself project and with excellent results. The surface typically wears well and vinyl is durable, but best of all, vinyl flooring is low maintenance. Generally, sweeping and mopping is all you need to keep the floor looking brand new. For homes with children and pets, vinyl flooring is probably the smartest solution.
When shopping for vinyl flooring, you will have your choice of sheet or tile. The sheets of vinyl come in 6 to 12-foot widths. You simply measure the area you plan to tile and then cut the sheet to the desired width and length. If you plan to cover a larger area such as a kitchen, this is a great option. The tiles come in 12 or 18-inch squares and in this case; the vinyl flooring varies in thickness so you can create a seamless or uniform look, whichever you prefer.
Although you can use a variety of adhesive products, for tile, we recommend those that are self-adhesive because they are the easiest and most convenient to use. The advantage of using tile is that should an area of the floor become damaged, you can replace only the exact number of tiles whereas with a sheet of vinyl flooring, you would need to put all new material down.
Keep in mind that vinyl flooring sold today comes in wonderful colours and patterns. Therefore, no matter what your room's décor, you will find a number of options to match. For the installation, vinyl flooring can be laid directly on underlayment, existing ceramic tile, concrete, wood, or other vinyl flooring, as long as it is not cushioned. Probably the greatest advantage of using vinyl flooring is that because it is water resistant and stable, it works great for all grades.
As mentioned, cleanup of vinyl flooring is a breeze. When buying this type of flooring, we suggest you go with a non-wax surface. This means the floor will look as if you just waxed it even though you only swept and damp mopped. No more using damaging wax products, as the shine is built-in. Finally, you can choose from inlaid or printed. With inlaid, the colour granules are imbedded directly into the vinyl sheet or tile. The result is a richer, warmer finish since colours become an integral part of the floor whereas the printed option is where coloured inks to create a design or pattern are printed onto the sheets or tiles.