Vinyl flooring is a resilient flooring which is made from plastic, PVC, rubber and other materials. It comes in rolls, sheets or tiles, and it is most of the time a glue down flooring system. It has been in the market since 1980s, and comes in different thicknesses and multiple colors. The popularity of Vinyl flooring is due to the benefit and it been cost effective. The benefit includes low maintenance, durability, water proof, stain resistance, easy to install and more. There are various types of Vinyl flooring, like LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles), LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks) homogeneous & heterogeneous vinyl flooring on a role or as sheet. But let’s take a look at some specifications and facts about vinyl flooring:

1. The difference between Vinyl and PVC Flooring

PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride – it is a polymer of vinyl chloride. That is also why often vinyl and PVC are being used interchangeably. Most vinyl floors nowadays are indeed made of PVC.

2. Homogeneous & Heterogeneous

Homogeneous vinyl flooring is a vinyl flooring with single layer. Since the color and pattern of the flooring are throughout the same, homogeneous vinyl flooring can be used in high traffic areas. It is indeed the ideal flooring for commercial areas such as factories, schools, healthcare centers or corridors.

Heterogeneous vinyl flooring on the other hand is vinyl flooring with multiple layers. The top layer has a print on on it that gives the possibilities of endless design when it comes to finishes and looks. The different layers consist of: top wear layer/finish, pattern layer, reinforcement layer and backing layer. The advantage about heterogeneous vinyl flooring is that it can reach higher slip resistances. Therefore it can be used in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms and gives a firm grip when you walk on it.

3. Durability

Vinyl flooring is not a single kind product, there are many different options on the market. That’s why it is difficult to say how long a vinyl flooring will last – this really depends on some characteristics such as thickness. But in general vinyl flooring lasts at least 10 years. Some more expensive options ojn the market can even last over 20 years, before you need to replace it.

4. Vinyl flooring in the Gym?

There are also new vinyl sport floorings, that are used in gyms and sport arenas. Its superb characteristics make vinyl sports flooring to the number one sport flooring nowadays. Excellent sport properties are for example a good shock absorption, ball rebound, and a appropriate slip resistance. It mostly comes in roles and needs to be heat welded, which gives it seamless look.

5. Quality Issues

Because of its popularity and demand, the market is flooded with all sorts of vinyl flooring products. Despite what manufacturers say, some of these flooring are not as good as promised. It is so easy for homeowners to fall for marketing ploys and buy low-quality vinyl flooring. This is why you should thoroughly educate yourself on how to choose the right vinyl flooring.

6. Disadvantage?

Now we highlighted how great vinyl flooring actually is. So one might ask, what is the disadvantage of this kind of flooring? The biggest disadvantage is probably repairing vinyl flooring. While you might be able to replace a vinyl plank or tile, most commercial vinyl floors are sheet floors, that are very difficult to repair, should a sheet get damaged. The sheets are mostly heat welded, and therefore it is a complex and big work to replace a sheet. It is not impossible – but also not easy.