Benefits of Vinyl Flooring
Design Flexibility:
Vinyl sheet flooring and tile are available in many styles
and colors. Virtually any look can be
obtained to suit any decor, including classic looks that simulate wood and
ceramic.
Durability:
Vinyl flooring is durable and time-tested, maintaining its
beauty under heavy foot traffic and use. It is moisture and stain resistant,
so spills can be easily removed. Vinyl offers an attractive installed cost
with economical maintenance over the life of the floor.
Aesthetics:
Today’s vinyl floors are made to enhance the aesthetic
features of an interior environment. Designers can use pattern and color to
make a large room seem smaller or a small room more expansive. And since vinyl
is durable, the color and original appearance will last longer with routine
maintenance.
Vinyl floors are manufactured in both sheet and tile. The
vinyl sheet floors are offered in both 6 foot and 12 foot widths, vinyl tiles
come in various sizes and thicknesses.
Sheet Vinyl:
Most residential vinyl sheets are considered to be printed
vinyl. Patterns are applied to most sheet vinyl flooring using the rotogravure
printing method, in which colors and patterns are printed on the surface of the
base layer. This pattern layer is then coated with several layers of clear
vinyl or urethane, which is called the wear layer. This wear layer helps to
protect the flooring from wear over time.
Features of Vinyl
No-wax surfaces:
No-wax surfaces save cleaning time because the purchaser
does not have to wax the floor since the floor shines without waxing.
Degree of Gloss and Surface Texture:
You can find vinyl sheets and tile in a high-gloss or a
low-gloss finish with different surface textures. A high-gloss finish with
little surface texture tends to dull in high traffic areas and also shows
irregularities in the floor surface. If you are going to install the floor in
an area where the finish might be scratched, buy a low-gloss finish with
texture. A textured surface with a low-gloss finish does not magnify the scratches
like a high-gloss finish with little surface texture.
Sunlight Protected:
Almost all flooring shows some damage when exposed to direct
sunlight. Exposure to strong sunlight may cause fading, blistering, and
brittleness. Neutral colors such as grays and tans for the best resistance to
fading.
Underfoot Comfort:
The amount of cushioning is very important in floor areas
where prolonged walking or standing takes place. A cushiony backing is more
comfortable to walk or stand on for long periods of time than a non-cushioned
vinyl. Solid and composition tiles do not have a cushion backing because the
cushion comes within the thickness of the tiles. The printed vinyl and solid
vinyl sheets may have a fiberglass backing, a backing consisting of a mixture
of various materials, or a foam cushion backing. The fiberglass has a good
non-tear quality and adheres to the floor quite well. The foam cushioning
provides a soft surface to stand on and comes in various thicknesses.
Thickness of Wear Layer:
They key to long-wearing vinyl is the thickness of the wear
layer. There are some thin wear layers that can be easily dented or gouged and
worn through in high traffic areas. The thicker the wear layer, the longer the
flooring will not show damage.