Vinyl Flooring
From Floor Coverings
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Vinyl Flooring
What is vinyl flooring made of?
Vinyl Flooring is originally made from salt and fossil fuels. Elements extracted from these sources are combined and formed into a synthetic material known as polyvinyl chloride. Maybe you’ve heard of PVC pipes. Well, that’s basically the same material and it can also be made into toys, clothing and home siding. Vinyl was invented in 1926, but it didn’t gain popularity until the 1960’s. However, it presently holds the title of second place in flooring sales in the United States with carpet being number one.
Is vinyl flooring durable?
That is probably because vinyl flooring is inexpensive and durable. In addition, it comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles to virtually meet any home decorating demands. In recent years, the ability to mock other flooring styles like bamboo and hardwood have been added to vinyl’s list of assets. This will give your home an appearance of possessing luxurious flooring, that really was very inexpensive.
One of the best features of vinyl flooring is how easy it is to clean. No waxing, scrubbing, bleaching or anything like that is needed. In fact, it is not recommended. Simply sweep and occasionally run a damp mop over it and the floor will look great. Since it is made with water resistant material, the great shiny appearance of vinyl flooring will last for many years. Vinyl flooring is one of a few different types of flooring that is known for its resilient nature as well. In other words, when you walk across a vinyl floor, it feels bouncy or cushioned. It is also very easy to install.
How wide does vinyl flooring rolls come in?
In the past, vinyl flooring was manufactured in only two different ways. You could purchase it either in rolls of 6 foot width or 12 foot width. Or you could purchase it in 12 inch or 18 inch tiles. But now it is possible to buy vinyl in planks that replicate hardwood or bamboo. The vinyl flooring tiles come with a self-adhesive backing that is super easy to peel and stick. And it is just as easy to replace should one section of tile become damaged. All three methods of installation can be put over any sub-floor type, like concrete, wood, old ceramic tile or even old vinyl flooring.
If you decide to go with vinyl tile flooring, you should know that there are three different surface coatings to consider depending upon the amount of traffic that your floor will see. If your floor is not likely to see too much traffic, Vinyl No-Wax will probably work fine. If your home sees normal to heavy traffic, you might want to look at vinyl flooring that is coated with Urethane. This type of coating will offer better protection against scuff marks and scratches. Enhanced Urethane coating will be needed should your floor be exposed to very high traffic. It is considered to be the highest quality surface coating available for vinyl flooring.
Design choices for vinyl flooring.
When it comes to the design choices for vinyl flooring, there are two. Inlaid vinyl has color granules that are imbedded right into the sheets whereby the color and design is an integral part of the overall floor. This type of design has a rich finish. Printed vinyl has colored ink that is actually printed right onto the floor sheets. When shopping for vinyl flooring, consider the fact also that a thicker backing will provide more moisture protection and offer a more cushioned walking experience.
