Vinyl Flooring Facts
Today's active households need flooring that's durable, low-maintenance
and attractive. Traditionally favoured in kitchens and laundry rooms,
vinyl flooring now comes in a variety of patterns and styles. With so
many choices, it's the perfect choice for almost any room.
Vinyl plank flooring is
an innovative type of vinyl that looks and feels like real wood. It is
also waterproof, so it can be installed in moisture-prone areas that are
normally "off limits" to hardwood and laminate flooring, such as
basements and bathrooms. Vinyl plank flooring is also quiet and warm
under foot, and relatively easy to install, requiring no adhesives for a
beautiful, stylish alternative to traditional vinyl flooring and other
flooring products.
Vinyl Tile vs Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Vinyl flooring is available in two common formats: vinyl sheet and vinyl tile.
When choosing between the two, the most important consideration should
be the look of your floor. If you prefer a highly-patterned design,
vinyl sheet may be a better choice. For a checkerboard pattern, vinyl
tile may be ideal.
Vinyl Sheet
Vinyl sheet is a large roll of vinyl
flooring that can either be felt-backed, vinyl-backed or modified
loose-lay. Each is designed for different methods of installation.
Felt-backed: The
most common type of vinyl sheet, with a layer of felt added to the back
for strength and cushion, and installed with an adhesive.
Vinyl-backed: The
least common format for vinyl sheet; installed by gluing to the floor
only at the edges, and generally recommended for professional
installation only.
Modified loose-lay:
Contains a fibreglass backing for greater strength and stability than
felt or vinyl-backed, and is installed without adhesives. Double-sided
tape secures the sheet near appliances and doors.
Vinyl Tile
Vinyl tile is generally available
in 12-by-12-inch squares with an adhesive backing, but can also be
found in strips of three. Vinyl tile floors look very different from
vinyl sheet floors, which have fewer lines and seams. The regular
pattern of lines in a vinyl tile floor is an important part of its
design.
Vinyl Finishes
Whether you choose vinyl sheet or vinyl tile, it's important to have a
vinyl floor that remains durable for years to come. This will depend on
a number of factors, including your vinyl floor's wear layer, or
finish, which is a coating applied to vinyl to maintain its shine. There
are three types of finishes commonly used:
Vinyl No-Wax
The most cost-effective choice. Stain-resistant and easy to clean; stays shiny so there's no need to polish or buff.
Urethane
Easy to clean and more resistant to
scuffs and stains than no-wax finishes; keeps its original appearance
longer. Stays shiny without polishing or buffing.
Enhanced Urethane
Outperforms vinyl no-wax and regular
urethane finishes. Resists scuffs, scratches and household stains
better; longer-lasting shine with no polishing or buffing.
Maintaining your Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl provides an attractive look at
an affordable price. Vinyl is also easier to care for than most people
think. When you wash it, for example, simply use a non-rinsing cleaner
that leaves no film. Most products sold as vinyl cleaners fit the bill.
To keep your vinyl flooring looking new, follow these simple tips:
- Use felt pads on chair and table legs, and other furniture, to avoid scratching the floor.
- Avoid putting rubber-backed rugs on vinyl flooring - the rubber can stain the floor.
- Put a heavy-duty doormat at your
front door and encourage visitors to wipe their feet. This is
especially true if you have an asphalt driveway; the chemicals in
asphalt can cause vinyl flooring to turn yellow.
- Remove stains as soon as
possible with an appropriate no rinse floor cleaner and wipe the area
with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
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