Pros & Cons: A Guide to Vinyl Flooring

Here is all you need to know about vinyl floors

Pooja Khanna Tyagi18 October 2017

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Want a quick-fix answer to a dull, boring, worn-out old floor or hard-to-maintain carpets? One that’s easy on the pocket, too? Vinyl is a great shortcut to new flooring. Vinyl floors are resilient, made primarily out of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and some chemical additives. They offer some degree of elasticity, flexibility and give a good bounce to the foot. Vinyl floors are available in the form of sheets and tiles that are not as soft as a carpet but not as hard as laminate or tiled floors, either. Additionally, vinyl floors are finished with a clear ‘wear layer’ on top, which works as a protective coating. This flooring can be easily installed directly on the existing floor without the hassle of dismantling it.

Purple Backyard

Pro: Durable

Vinyl flooring is a lightweight and highly durable material with a lifespan that can range between 10 and 20 years. One can further enhance its longevity with proper maintenance and by not subjecting it to rough use.

Pro: Water-resistant

Vinyl flooring has excellent resistance to water and has anti-slip properties as well. This makes it suitable for bathrooms or in areas where there is a significant presence of moisture.

Tip: Do note that vinyl flooring can easily catch fire and release toxic fumes when burnt, so it is not advisable to use it in the kitchen where fire could be a hazard.

Vinyl Floorings

Pro: Easy to maintain

For routine cleaning, use a broom, vacuum cleaner or damp mop to remove the dirt and grime. Also, protect the floor against scratches that could be caused by chairs and the moving of furniture. However, in case of any damage to vinyl tiles, individual pieces can be easily replaced.

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Pro: Stain-resistant

Vinyl tiles and sheets come in two sorts – inlay and the cheaper rotogravure. The inlay vinyl floors have a homogeneous (uniform) colour right through the vinyl sheet or tile to the bottom backing – this particular characteristic of the material conceals scratches (if any) and makes them less visible. The rotogravure floors have a thin layer of vinyl on top of a base, topped by a clear ‘wear layer’ that works as a surface barrier to protect the floor from spills and stains. It also saves the printed design layer from getting worn off by foot traffic. But they show up scratches, unlike inlaid vinyl tiles and sheets.

Pro: Soft on the feet

Vinyl floors feel soft underfoot because they have a thin foam or felt backing layer. As a result, this surface allows one to stand on the floor for a longer time in comparison to hard base floors, without feeling fatigued. Another plus is that glass objects are less likely to break when dropped gently on these floors.

Learn more about the best substitutes for solid wood.

Troxel Custom Homes

Pro: Multiple colours and designs

Tip: Vinyl flooring is a great way to bring together several colours and patterns, as seen in this kid’s room. Additionally, this floor is also appropriate for home gyms, as it is soft on the foot, gives a good bounce while exercising and has good sound-absorption qualities.

Owensboro Carpet One Floor & Home

Con: Emits high VOCs

The PVC in a newly installed vinyl floor emits VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and can also give off a slight odour.

Con: Not resistant to chemicals

Vinyl floors are resistant to stains but can get permanently discoloured and damaged when attacked by strong chemicals. Also, these floors are not suitable for outdoor use as the floor colour can fade due to prolonged exposure to sunlight and its UV rays.

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