Types of Vinyl Flooring and How to Choose the Right One?

Method of Installation of Laminate Flooring

Vinyl flooring has become an incredibly popular choice in the UK for its numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, resilience, durability, finish and diverse design and colour options.

Vinyl flooring has three types comprising vinyl sheets, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and luxury vinyl planks (LVP). Read the blog to explore the pros and cons of each type and find which is the most suitable option for you!

Types of Vinyl Flooring with Pros and Cons

Vinyl Sheets

As evident from the name, vinyl sheets come in large rolls, i.e. 6 or 12 feet wide. They come in a diverse range of colours and styling options. One of the key features of vinyl sheets is the fibreglass core that prevents them from cracking, curling or changing dimensions due to expansion or contraction. They can be installed in different ways that may or may not require adhesives. 

Advantages

  • They are a budget-friendly option.
  • Vinyl sheets are highly resilient to water and stains making them a suitable option for bathrooms, basements and other areas.
  • These sheets come with a padded underlayer that makes them comfortable to walk on. The underlayer also helps to make them sound absorbent.
  • They are low-maintenance flooring options and can easily be cleaned with little effort and simple cleaning methods like mopping.
  • They are highly durable if installed and maintained properly.
  • They require easy installation, and due to their advanced features you can DIY installation.

Disadvantages

  • Despite being resistant to stains, low-quality sheets are still prone to decolouration due to low maintenance, contact with rubber or long-term exposure to direct sunlight.
  • If not installed properly, the small grains entrapped beneath the floor during installation can damage the flooring material with time. It may result in lumps over the surface of vinyl sheets ultimately leading to wear and tears.
  • In the case of damaged floor repair, you have to either replace the entire floor or replace the affected area with new sheets. Their repair is inconvenient, unlike other vinyl flooring options.

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Vinyl and LVT Flooring

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Among all the types of vinyl flooring, these are the most popular and widely used tiles. Their thickness ranges between 2mm-8mm, including the underlay. Just like the general characteristics of vinyl flooring, LVT has a multi-layered structure.

The most striking feature and the unique selling point of LVT is their ability to mimic almost all types of other flooring options like ceramic tiles, stones, wood or even fabric! It is possible due to their unique HD photographic layer/ embellished layer where any texture can be copied.

The resemblance is so vivid and convincing that no one can differentiate if it’s an actual wooden floor or an LVT floor with a wooden design imprinted on it!

Advantages

  • They are highly durable. Commercial-grade LVTs are an excellent option for areas prone to higher foot traffic with increased longevity and added strength.
  • LVTs are highly resilient to moisture and dampness, making them a good candidate for wet or moisture-prone areas like bathrooms.
  • They have versatile applications.
  • Due to their mimicking characteristics, they come in numerous textures, colours, and styles so that they can complement your interior without breaking the bank.
  • They are affordable with less maintenance and replacement costs.
  • LVT is adaptable to all types of subfloors, like concrete or plywood. They can be laid directly onto them. You may also use an underlayment if you have concerns regarding moisture accumulation.

Disadvantages

  • They are non-sustainable.
  • They are difficult to remove once glued.
  • LVTs can not be refurbished or sanded to make them look new, unlike other flooring options.
  • The market is flooded with numerous designs, changing over time. So, if you are looking for the same style tile 2-3 years after installation, then it can be challenging to find the exact one.
  • Although LVTs can mimic the textures, they can’t mimic the feel. So, if it’s something you can’t compromise on, then LVT might not be for you.

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A Guide to Crafting a Flawless Vinyl Flooring Masterpiece

Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)

Luxury Vinyl Planks are one of the most trusted flooring options for both residential and commercial spaces. They are permanently glued to the subfloors using strong adhesives. The planks can be as wide as 14 inches. However, on average you can find them in the widths ranges between 5-8 inches.

Like LVTs, LVPs are multi-layered plank structures. On examining its anatomy we can mainly find four layers. The first or the bottom layer, also known as the backer board, offers stability to the planks.

Then comes the water-resistant or central layer, offering strength and resilience to the tiles, followed by the top layer.  The embellished layer/vinyl layers give unique mimicking characteristics to the planks. Finally comes the wear layer, a thin transparent coating with a glossy or matte finish that provides added protection to save the planks from wear and tear.

Advantages

  • They are budget-friendly as compared to other costly flooring options available in the market.
  • They come with countless design options mimicking all sorts of materials, including wood, stones,
  • Their resistance to water and stains makes them a reliable flooring candidate, especially in high-foot-traffic areas.
  • They have high defiance against scratches, stains and dents.
  • They are easy to clean.

Disadvantages

  • They can not be refurbished like hardwood floors.
  • They don’t add a significant value to your property like other non-vinyl flooring options.
  • Since they require the use of strong adhesives that take time to dry, and a strong smell prevails until they dry completely. The smell may be irritating for some people.
  • Low-quality LVPs are prone to discolouration due to the thin wear layers offering less protection against UV. It’s important to source them from reliable companies like JJs Flooring.

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What is the Difference Between LVP and LVT Flooring

Choosing the Suitable Option for You!

The blog has explained the pros and cons of each type vividly. However, if you are still confused, then read further. Here are a few differences among all three types that can help you decide.

  • Finish

Vinyl Sheets: They are the perfect choice if you want the look of polished concrete or rubber.

LVT: LVTs are predominantly preferred to get the finish of natural stone.

LVP: If you are a fan of wooden flooring, then the LVPs are for you.

  • Cost

Vinyl Sheets: They are more budget-friendly than LVPs and LVTs. They can cost you around £20-£25 per metre square.

LVT and LVP: They are more or less the same when it comes to cost, depending on the quality and other deciding factors. Their cost ranges from £30 to £65 per square metre.

  • Durability

Vinyl Sheets: They are relatively less durable than the other two options. If installed and maintained properly, they can last up to 10 years.

LVT and LVP: They are more suitable options for high foot traffic areas like bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. They are highly resistant to water making them suitable for basements as well. They can last up to 20 years if maintained properly.

These were some prominent deciding factors, but the flooring option must be selected after consultation with experts like JJ’s Flooring. We are supplying pristine quality flooring options with installation services. Contact us today!

Which is the most Durable Type of Vinyl?

It is worth noting that the durability of the material depends on many factors other than its composition. These factors include the following:

  • Installation quality
  • Material quality
  • Maintenance quality
  • Traffic density

However, the luxury options of vinyl, i.e., LVT and LVP, are more durable than vinyl sheets and can last for up to 2 decades.

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