If you are looking for the perfect solution for your home’s floors, you’ll be amazed by the durability and versatility of vinyl floors. In the past few years, they have become an extremely popular option for both residential and commercial applications. And that’s not surprising at all, given their exquisite features and cost-effectiveness.
A Durable Solution
The number one reason to choose vinyls flooring for your home is that you won’t even think about replacing it for at least 15 years. Vinyl tiles consist of many layers, including a couple of protective layers. The most important part is the protective layer, commonly referred to as the wear layer. It lies right below the printed design and is responsible for the tile’s durability.
The wear layer’s thickness is measured in mil (one-thousandth of an inch- 40 mil equals approximately 1mm), and it depends on your preferences. Have in mind that a good wear layer is the one that’s at least 12 mils thick, but if you’re considering buying vinyl flooring for the busiest area of your home, have in mind that the wear layer should be at least 20 mils thick, or higher.
The thicker the wear layer, the more durable and scratch-resistant the tile is. By getting the right thickness for your needs, you can rest assured that your vinyl floor won’t crack or break, even when your kids throw the bulkiest toy from their toy box.
A Moisture-Resistant Flooring
Besides for durable, you’ll want to look for waterproof tiles for those moisture-prone areas such as the bathroom and the kitchen. By choosing vinyls flooring, you can rest assured your floor will be fine even when your kids splash water everywhere while taking a bath, or when you accidentally spill something on the kitchen floor.
What prevents the water from penetrating the tile is the core layer of the vinyl, which lays under the protective layers. The core layer consists of wood plastic, or stone plastic composite also referred to as solid polymer core. Its purpose is to prevent the tile from absorbing liquids keeping them on the surface until wiped, which is not the case with laminates, hardwoods and other popular flooring options.
Very Easy to Install
Vinyl floors are very easy and fast to install. The method for installing usually depends on the type of tile or plank you will choose. The process does not require the use of my tools as you will only need to click-lock them to each other. Another easy method to install vinyl flooring is to loose-lay them, using double-sided duct tape to secure the tiles. However, this method isn’t recommended for wide areas bigger than 10m ².
Some types of luxury vinyl planks and tiles need to be glued down with adhesive. But if you’re not much a crafty person, you can always hire a professional to get the job done for you. The average vinyl flooring supply and installation costs across Australia range from $26 to $35 per square metre. However, these prices can vary depending on the quality of the floor you choose, the brand and the state you live in.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
The fact that the vinyl floors are waterproof makes cleaning them a piece of cake. You won’t need to use hard chemicals, because the simple formula of diluted white or apple cider vinegar, or baking soda paste will clean even the most stubborn stains such as ketchup, tomato sauces and grape juice.
These floors are designed to be cleaned and maintained easily, and scrubbing them with highly abrasive scrubbers, and detergents such as abrasive cleaners, “mop and shine” products and solvent-based polishes can leave a dull film, making the floor look old and damaged. Also, vinyl floors can be vacuumed on daily basis, but make sure you avoid the “beater bar” attachment, since it can damage the surface.
A Decorative Element
When you opt for vinyl flooring, you get an ultra-modern flooring solution suitable for every room of your house. Starting from the heart of every home, you can choose vinyl tiles with kitchen-ish prints, or simple one-coloured tiles that will perfectly match the contemporary style of your kitchen. With this floor, you don’t need to compensate for anything, and it’s possible to keep the vintage, rustic style of your house even in the bathroom by choosing vinyl planks in wood-brown shades.
Talking about vinyl planks, they’re also perfect for adding a luxury touch to your living room too. The variety of colours and designs they come in fit every living room’s style – from royal Victorian styles to contemporary minimal living rooms, making the flooring look like expensive hardwood. The range of looks you can get with a simple and budget-friendly vinyl floor are countless.
