3 Different Types of Vinyl Flooring and How to Choose One
by Admin
Posted on 15-06-2023 09:02 PM
The terms vinyl roll and linoleum flooring are often used interchangeably, but they're not the same thing. Both flooring types are highly resilient, long-lasting, and suitable for installation in almost any room in the home. However, there are some key differences in how they’re made, installed and maintained, and the variety of designs and colours available with each product. Vinyl roll is constructed in layers and composed mostly of pvc, whereas linoleum is made from a single layer of natural materials, primarily linseed. One of vinyl’s layers is 'design layer', upon which decorative designs are printed and embossed. This design layer allows for almost limitless design and colour options.
Vinyl flooring became a truly viable flooring material with the introduction of pvc (polyvinyl chloride), a synthetic plastic containing carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine. In traditional sheet vinyl or vinyl tiles, the flooring material is a composite product, with a layer of pvc bonded to a fibrous core, and covered over with a printed design layer and a tough, clear wear layer. The distinction between high-quality and low-quality vinyl flooring lies in the thickness of the products, the toughness of the wear layer, and the kind of backing it has. The vinyl flooring sold today can take several forms, including sheet flooring, vinyl composite tiles (vct), and a newer product, luxury vinyl tiles or planks (known as either lvt or lvp).
Discover the different types of vinyl flooring available with our guide so you can decide on the perfect underfoot material for your room (image credit: carpetright) types of vinyl flooring might be on your mind when deciding on flooring for your home. Although often saddled with an old reputation of material by the roll that doesn't last very long, developments in vinyl products have seen it become one of the most popular flooring choices on the market. Different types of flooring offer various pros and cons; for vinyl its versatility, water resistance and cost-effective nature makes it very enticing indeed. But what are the different vinyl flooring options available and which one is best?.
Different types of vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring is becoming an increasingly popular option in homes everywhere, because it can stand up to tough messes, cleans up easily, provides eye-catching looks, and is extremely economical. Perfect for families with energetic kids and loveable pets, vinyl flooring is a type of resilient flooring that combines strength and functionality with authentic design and style.
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.
Vinyl plank flooring is generally composed of three layers: a rigid or semi-rigid base or core layer. A pattern or design layer that can mimic the look, feel, and texture of just about any type of flooring —usually natural products like hardwood, stone, or fabric. A protective or wear layer that protects the surface from scratches, dents, uv damage, etc. The thickness of a wear layer can range from 8 mil (a thousandth of an inch) all the way to 28 mil or so. Some types of vinyl plank also come with a fourth layer—usually for soundproofing, underfoot feel, or another specific reason—but it entirely depends on the product.
First things first. Generally speaking, there are two main types of vinyl plank flooring from an installation point of view. On the one hand, you have the lvt that is fixed to the ground with glue or self-adhesive, which means you need to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after installation for the glue to cure. On the other hand there are floating vinyl planks and tiles which don't require any kind of glue or adhesive and which can be used immediately after installation. The first category comprises self-adhesive vinyl planks and glue-down vinyl flooring, while the latter consists of vinyl click flooring and loose-lay vinyl flooring.
The Composition of Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring is vinyl flooring that comes in large, continuous, flexible sheets. A vinyl sheet floor is completely impermeable to water, unlike vinyl floor tile , which comes in stiff tiles, and vinyl planks, which come in interlocking strips. It is sometimes called linoleum after a visually similar product of different (linseed oil) chemical composition. Vinyl flooring is extensively used because it is water-impervious, fairly durable, adjustably resilient and insulating, easy to install, available with a variety of appearances, and inexpensive. Custom-print vinyl sheet flooring may cost an order of magnitude more, if ordered commercially, however, vinyl flooring has environmental concerns in manufacturing, use, and disposal.
Paul hambidge, founder of factory direct flooring says, 'the popularity of luxury vinyl tile (lvt) has soared in recent years – and it’s easy to understand why. It is waterproof, making it ideal for any room in the home but specially kitchens and bathrooms. Lvt is usually made up of a protective wear layer which is textured to give an authentic look, a realistic wood or tile effect digital print lies beneath, and an insulation backing completes the composition – with the whole solution being warm underfoot and low acoustics. Lvt is easy to care for by vacuuming or brushing and damp mopping, and with designs ranging from slim, short, long and wide plank – and the increasingly popular and on trend herringbone effect – it’s hard not to find the desired look.
Vinyl flooring is made from 100 percent plastic. This composition gives it superior resistance to moisture. When water sits on vinyl floors, even for extended periods of time, it won’t damage the surface. Vinyl’s water resistance makes it an excellent choice for rooms that are prone to moisture. For example, kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
Also known as engineering vinyl flooring, this type of flooring features a solid composite core and was invented to replace the earlier flexible versions of vinyl. It is harder and more durable than the flexible versions. In addition to its waterproof core that consists of polyvinyl chloride, limestone powder, and stabilizers, rigid core vinyl flooring also contains three more layers that add to its durability. They include the transparent layer on top, the printed layer, and an underpad that provides cushioning and insulation. You can get rigid core floor in planks or tiles.
The overall thickness of the product: in general, thicker vinyl sheets, tiles, or planks provides better foot comfort and are certain to be more resilient. The texture of the surface: choose a flooring product with a texture that provides some traction underneath if slickness is a problem. Luxury vinyl or vinyl composite tiles are preferable; wet sheet vinyl is usually the most slippery. Wear layer: stronger vinyl flooring products have many layers, with the surface wear layer always being the thickest. Always go for a wear layer that is at least 15mm thick. Different backing: different backings on various vinyl flooring could call for distinct installation techniques.
As mentioned previously, some vinyl tiling has a wear layer that resists stains and spills—you can expect this protection with printed vinyl tiles and sheets. On the other hand, solid and composite vinyl tiles do not have this surface protection. As such, they’re more susceptible to stains and require occasional stripping and polishing to keep them looking like new.