The top protective wear layer thickness is what determines how durable the flooring will be. Concrete Pool: Which is Better? However, if vinyl planks are installed properly and given the appropriate care and maintenance, they can last up to thirty years. Here are a few tips. Consider us your One-Stop Shopping destination for all things flooring(and window treatments)! 2. Use a sponge for deep cleaning. However, the extent of the damage will depend on numerous factors including the amount of the VOCs in the air and the length of time you were exposed. Cleaning and maintenance of vinyl plank flooring is easy. Keeping this in mind, they will only emit for a short time after installation, but it does not change the fact that this issue happens. (Prepare & Painting Tips). While vinyl planks are generally very low in volatile organic compounds, some cheap brands may still contain materials that can expose you to these harmful chemicals. When the flooring is just new, it is recommended that you wait for a few days before bringing in heavy objects like furniture or walking on it. Harsh detergents can strip away the protective layer of your vinyl, exposing it to scratches, dents, and stains that could cause the flooring to wear out prematurely. Thickness has more to do with how much weight the flooring can bear. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring Pros & Cons, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring Pros & Cons, 11 Tips For Using Self-Leveling Compound on Wood Subfloors, What Screws to Use on Plywood & OSB Subfloors: Complete Guide, Can Plywood Subfloor be Painted (Used as Finished Flooring), 6 Carpet Brands to Avoid (& 5 Most Durable), 5 Laminate Flooring Brands To Avoid & 6 Brands Worth the Money, 8 Signs You Should Replace Subfloor & Costs (Water Damage Included), What Causes Moisture Under Hardwood Floors? Certain rubber material, such as a rubber backing from a floor mat, can also cause vinyl to discolor. Cleaning the vinyl floor regularly and using air fresheners could also help. Watch this video on how to properly clean vinyl plank floors and the best products to use. With tile, you do not want to lay it where it can get damaged. Keeping that in mind, if your flooring has a scratch or two, you can quickly fix it unless it is too deep. These flooring types make an excellent option within your home, especially if you are a family with small children or pets running around. Which is More Expensive Vinyl or Laminate Flooring? Keep large furniture near windows or where the sun will be exposed the most. In most applications, the overall thickness of your vinyl floor is a secondary specification because it has little bearing on durability. If you have any questions, please email us. Some types of flooring look like real wood and tile. With wood, you cannot lay it in a place that will get wet. Vinyl plank floors generally mimic various species of hardwood or distressed wood planks. It's recommended to. Once you're ready to get started, visit a showroom and work with our associates who will guide you through your project and get you from Dream to Done. EVP Vs. LVP: 10 Main Differences Between Luxury Vinyl and Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring, Can You Put Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring? However, this comes with a price with overexposure to sunlight. The biggest disadvantage of vinyl plank flooring is the old opinion that it is a cheap product. New Year, New Trends Part Three: Flooring in 2018, Why You Should Add Wood-Look Tiles to Your Bathroom. I'm a licensed Home Inspector, Certified Master Inspector (CMI), and FHA 203k Consultant. Spills will not damage it and they are very easy to clean. Some vinyl plank floors have a very thin wear layer and can be scratched, scuffed, dented or scraped causing lasting damage. Still, if the cons outweigh the pros, it will be best to get different floorings to suit your needs and the environment better. Be sure to avoid mops with built-in scrub brushes, however, as this can damage your floor. Its pretty crazy how much choice there is out there in the world of vinyl flooring. Most glued-down vinyl flooring products had a paper backing and were not waterproof. I've been conducting home inspections for 17 years. Wide assortment of colors, shapes, sizes and patterns. Your friend will not be added to our email list unless they personally choose to sign up. Ensure the entire floor is clean with soap and water, then allow it to dry before anything else. This means it can work great in the kitchen or bathroom. If you did not glue your vinyl floors down, it is relatively easy to remove. (& How to Save it), Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Advertise. The cost of vinyl plank flooring is typically less than solid hardwood floors. Thickness is important in click-lock flooring because it helps to hold the planks together and reduce movement. wall coverings. (Pros & Cons). In the final process, a polyurethane coating is added for durability and protection before being cut to size, edged-prepared, and shipped. Vinyl floors are lovely in a multitude of aspects, as mentioned earlier. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Luxury vinyl plank on the other hand, is very versatile and durable. Unfortunately, vinyl planks are not biodegradable. But if you must use a cleaner, make sure to use a vinyl-friendly one like mild dishwashing liquid. Vinyl flooring has many advantages, such as durability, waterproof qualities, and easy installation. So, if youre looking for an affordable flooring for especially a high moisture space in your home, then choose vinyl plank flooring. Here are seven disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring. Call or Text (856) 644-5700 Please make sure the area is soft and smooth, then wash it with soap and water. Can Vinyl Plank Flooring Be Installed In a Garage? If you have pets and kids causing a ruckus in the house, vinyl does not scratch easily, chip or suffer any kind of major damage that is going to make it look bad. Here are some pro tips for you to use to ensure the longevity of its lifespan. Although it is known that we cannot repair a damaged plank, you can always replace vinyl planks. If mold grows under your vinyl planks, your flooring will not only start to emit an unpleasant odor; it will also begin to deteriorate, which will reduce its lifespan. Keep your curtains closed during the daytime. Vinyl won't look as luxurious as natural hardwood. BuildDirect truly is your one-stop-shop for all your flooring needs. A professionally installed ceramic tile floor can cost as much as $15-20 dollars per square foot. Discharge of VOCs should dissipate over a few days. In recent years, we have been better at recycling more often worldwide, especially in America. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Check out those simple cleaning tips in our other blog here. 2022 Avalon Flooring, All rights reserved. Most vinyl planks can be installed right over your existing floor, saving you time and money on your project while providing a beautiful new look that will maintain its value for years to come. This is particularly because vinyl planks are much cheaper than hardwood. Please complete the fields below, and well forward your friend an email with a link to this page. Older tiles were not as thick and could easily dent and lose their sheen in a short amount of time. Emits Volatile Organic Compounds Into the Air, 4. If you wish to recycle your floors once finished, check within your region to see any recyclers available near you. Get the wood look for a fraction of what real hardwood costs. Installing a high-quality vinyl tile allows you to maintain your flooring design in any room in your home. Vinyl plank flooring has come a long way over the last several years and has really grown in popularity. Put rugs all over your home, especially where the sun is. However, as with all floors, vinyl planks have some drawbacks that homeowners need to familiarize themselves with before making a purchase, so they can know exactly what to expect. Many homeowners want to maintain the look of their flooring in the kitchen, bath and laundry areas but until recently, that wasnt an option. You might be wondering how to can make vinyl flooring last longer. Our design consultants are equipped with the knowledge to guide you through the wide selection of products we offer, and our expert installation team is professionally trained to make sure everything gets installed the way you envision. Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows: Which Is Better? Inconsistent Qualities Depending On What Brand You Choose. The information contained on whatisvinyl.com is intended for informational and educational purposes only. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Installing laminate has higher labor costs and requires a saw to cut material. To sign in to your account, login using your social media account below, or enter your email address and password. If you are in the market for vinyl planks, this post highlights some of the disadvantages of vinyl plank flooring that most salespersons wont tell you about. Continued exposure can result in asthma, respiratory allergies, and other serious lung problems. Especially if exposed to sunlight. And when looking at the pros and cons of this material, you can see that the pros outweigh the cons. But, of course, its up to you to decide what works best for your home. (8 Types). For sale details, design tips and more straight to your inbox. Older styles of vinyl tiles could not be installed over existing floors. For the flooring professional, you may not have to add anything to your tool box except a tapping block. You dont want moisture going through the seams or grooves and getting stack between the vinyl and the subfloor, as this will provide the perfect environment for mold to grow. Whereas some high-quality hardwood floors will last over forty years, vinyl planks will last somewhere between ten and twenty years. Also, planks that had been glued down can be very difficult to use because no matter how careful one is with the removal, the adhesive typically causes the backing to rip and peel. The flooring is made by a pressure-heat process, combining 3 different layers together: a vinyl backing, a film, and a wear layer. Lets consider the pros and cons of vinyl plank flooring. If you have installed loose lay or click and lock vinyl planks, then removing them can be relatively easy. It is also important to protect the floor from wear and tear by avoiding pulling or pushing heavy objects or dropping sharp items. Vinyl and laminate flooring materials are similar in cost. For those looking for a competitively-priced floor that doesnt compromise on quality, vinyl plank flooring is a great choice. Sign up to receive exclusive offers, product inspiration and home design ideas. Although there is a rough estimate of 50 to 100 million pounds of vinyl recycled each year, it only represents 10% or less of all recycled plastic and only of 1% of PVC building materials every year. This is an especially important benefit for those who need to stand for long periods of time, as vinyl planks are easier and more comfortable to stand on than traditional wood alternatives. You will need to carefully pry them to make sure they are coming out intact. For deeper cleaning, a mop and warm water will work in most cases. Some hardwood flooring can last over a hundred years and are in good shape, given the proper care, whereas vinyl flooring only lasts anywhere between 10 to 20 years. Vinyl wood plank floors are not able to be refinished. Here is how to repair minor surface scratches: Vinyl plank flooring is intended to be a floating floor. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In addition, some of the older tiles actually contained asbestos which is a health hazard. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are gases that can harm your health in the long run. On the contrary, if your home doesnotbring in much sun, putting these floors in your house will be one of the best options you can do, especially if you want to give off the look of having real wood within your home to save money. Previous Post So what exactly does this mean? If you were to get a brand with better reviews than a cheaper vinyl flooring company, it would be best to go with those floorings. In addition to cleaning up spills, make sure to sweep up dirt frequently, as it can also attract mold. And How to Get Rid of It. LVP flooring if glued down can be very hard to remove if you ever want to replace. This is especially true for glue-down planks; it will give the adhesive enough time to firmly attach the planks to the floor. When installed in homes, these compounds can be hazardous to people with respiratory allergies. (5 Vinyl-Safe Rugs), How to Stagger Vinyl Plank Flooring? For example, LVT (luxury vinyl tile) or LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring realistically mimics the beauty of natural materials at a fraction of the cost. A 20 MIL flooring will last much longer than a 6 MIL flooring. Vinyl floors are so hard to recycle because PVC contains many harmful additives to maintain the material quality. Vinyl vs. Laminate vs. Linoleum Flooring: Which is Better? Pink Mold: Is it Dangerous? Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The following are 4 of the most notable benefits of luxury vinyl. It is the perfect flooring solution for high traffic areas and for folks that have pets. Also, one of the things that vinyl floors dont get the credit it deserves for is how its able to stay at room temperature. Of course, renovating on a budget means weighing the pros and cons of each flooring type and finding the one that sits at the intersection of affordability, durability and aesthetics. This means you can have the benefits of vinyl that are missing in cheaper flooring options without the high cost of solid wood flooring. If this is the case, the flooring material can be hard to remove, as you will have to carefully pry them out to make sure the plank is still intact. Vinyl vs. Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which is Better? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Become a BD PRO rewards member today.. We also offer free shipping on some flooring options. Thanks to advanced photographic imaging technology for the design layer, vinyl plank flooring can look exactly like any particular look youre interested in. Even though vinyl is designed to look exactly like natural wood, it doesnt last as long as wood does. Vinyl planks are softer on the surface than regular wood planks, making them more comfortable to walk on. Both flooring solutions have similar lifespans. This blog has been saved, please check your email to see it, Please enter your email in the form before saving this blog. By continuing to browse this website, you agree to the use of cookies for the collection of traffic statistics and to improve the quality of our website. The best way to prevent sunlight from entering your indoor space is to keep blinds and curtains closed. This is one of the biggest advantages of vinyl flooring, making it ideal for any environment where the floor may be exposed to water. In addition to being installation-friendly, vinyl plank flooring wont break the budget compared with other types of upscale floor coverings. Chipped edges are usually a result of improper installation. However, one of the main disadvantages is that it doesnt last as long. Products made of vinyl are notorious for emitting harmful gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which has been found to have adverse effects on humans. Using dish soap and warm water mixture, clean the floor thoroughly. However,the downside is in the cost of installation. Redoing your flooring certainly offers a range of options, from hardwood to tile, to vinyl, to carpet. (Step-by-Step Tutorial), Is Vinyl Plank Flooring Toxic? Vinyl planks have some shortcomings that may make them appear somewhat lower-quality compared to high-end floorings like natural hardwood. Dropping a glass or moving heavy furniture can result in scuffs and gouges that are difficult to remove. However, vinyl is waterproof and better suited for wet areas like a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. While vinyl planks will cost only $5 per square foot, wood planks will cost up to $12 per square foot. They can also be difficult to recycle depending on the brand and composition. With a few simple cleaning techniques, you can keep your vinyl plank floor clean and healthy with minimal effort or investment. So, if environmental consciousness is a critical factor in your decision-making process, this is a drawback to consider. Recycling companies need a steady flow of material to profit, so it is only available in certain areas. These gasses are dangerous to the environment and can be hazardous to many people who have respiratory problems. While vinyl will hold up for many years, you can damage it. October 09, 2020 | 4 min read | BuildDirect, TAGS Design Trends Flooring Products and Benefits Trends. COREtec Plus Enhanced Herringbone Vinyl Plank in Pompeii Oak, Public House 7 1/8 Vinyl Plank in Old Fashioned, PerforMax 7 Vinyl Plank in Feather Grass, COREtec Everyday 5.91 Chestnut Vinyl Plank in Newton, PerforMax 7 Vinyl Plank in Southside Park.