Arguably one of the most popular flooring options for homeowners today, vinyl plank floors are appreciated for being low maintenance, water resistant, and having a beautiful natural wood look. With the right guidance, a professional can help you transform an office, living room, or even a commercial space, with the vinyl plank floor that suits your needs. If you’re considering this popular flooring option, here are some things you should know.
One of the greatest selling points of vinyl plank flooring when it first came out was its ability to resist water, sometimes even being 100% waterproof. Today, you’ll notice vinyl planks in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas prone to moisture, dampness, humidity and spills.
Since vinyl planks can endure large amounts of water, you may go from thinking of installing it only in high-traffic areas to other areas of the home as well. This versatility means fewer flooring types in a home, which gives it a more unified look and feel and reduces the likelihood of having floor mismatches that turn off future homebuyers.
Homeowners often comment on how a vinyl plank looks exactly like hardwood, giving it a timeless appeal and design flexibility. Vinyl planks typically come in six to eight-inch widths and 36 to 48-inch lengths. Wider planks are preferred for a modern design but can also work in rooms with more of a classic touch.
Vinyl planks can also come in scraped textures and their deep embossing allows for better, more realistic, graphics, which is what makes these great looking floors appear so natural.
With vinyl planks, you can let a gray oak pull together whites, blacks, grays and sleek straight lines in an office, kitchen, or bathroom. Or use a natural oak to keep the warmth in a traditional space that has darker wood accents and more ornate furniture and accessories.
Vinyl plank flooring looks like hardwood, but given the soft nature of vinyl itself, buyers also talk about the added softness and comfort they feel under their feet as compared to other durable floors.
Vinyl planks are manufactured in up to 8 mm thickness. Some are installed with an underlay while others have materials like foam or rubber built into them for further cushioning and noise reduction. If you’re shopping for a vinyl plank floor, consider the thickness of it and ask a salesperson if there are other materials used in manufacturing and how they impact performance. Some thinner product may have an attractive price, but you get what you pay for, as the trade-off may be an echo-y room or hard, uncomfortable surface.
Certain vinyl plank floors manufactured with high-grade coatings are also among the most scratch-resistant floors out there. A dog’s or cat’s nails may pose problems for certain hardwood and laminate floors, but with high-quality luxury vinyl planks your floors can look just as great as they did on the day of installation for years to come.
Because most vinyl planks are designed to interlock, they are popular among do-it-yourselfers. As is the case with laminate and hardwood, a professional team that understands the product and subfloor brings peace of mind for any buyer. Ask yourself the following questions before considering installing vinyl planks yourself:
Any one of these scenarios may require unique tools, equipment or expertise. Some jobs are simply best left for a professional installation team.
Vinyl planks aren’t just for kitchens, baths, and living rooms. Merchants and business owners are also finding that commercial vinyl planks are great for high-traffic areas and offer a realistic wood look. Commercial vinyl planks are slip resistant and are a fraction of the cost when compared to their hardwood counterparts. If you’re considering vinyl planks for your home, don’t be surprised if what’s in your house make its way to your workplace as well.
Are you considering a vinyl plank floor for your home or even your business? Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate today!
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