Vinyl flooring is becoming the trendiest choice for both home and office floors. Its durability, uniqueness, and attractive appearance are the key reasons for it getting famous worldwide. There are three main types of vinyl floors, i.e. tile, plank, and sheet Vinyl Flooring.
All of them are known for adding significant value to your floors. There are some differences in the functionality and appearance of these three types. Selecting the right type for your place without knowledge will be tough. With the help of this post by Wall Curtains, you can quickly know the difference between different types of vinyl flooring and which one is the best option for you.
Quick Comparison of Different Types of Vinyl Flooring
Criteria | Vinyl Planks | Vinyl Tiles | Vinyl Sheet |
Installation | Click-lock system | Glue-down | Glue-down |
Durability | High | Medium to High | Medium |
Maintenance | Easy | Moderate | Easy |
Comfort | High | Medium | High |
Water Resistance | High | High | Very High |
Scratch Resistance | High | Medium | Low |
Lifespan (years) | 10 – 20 | 10 – 20 | 5 – 15 |
Repairability | Easy (replace planks) | Easy (replace tiles) | Difficult (replace entire sheet) |
DIY-Friendly | High | High | Low |
Resale Value Impact | Medium to High | Medium | Low |
Explaining 3 Main Types of Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring
This version of LVT flooring comes in the form of rectangular planks made of PVC and a design layer. There are up to eight layers, including a foam, cork, or PVC backing, a WPC or SPC core, a PVC layer, a layer of glass fibre, a layer of printed material, a layer of designed material, a layer for wear, and a layer for UV protection.
You will find different designs and textures in the vinyl planks collection. They are very easy to install, with an interlocking system. Even if you are a beginner, you can easily install them in your place. Vinyl planks have made it possible to have wood or tile-look floors in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
They give an authentic hardwood floor appearance because of their realistic texture and plank shape. You can try making different patterns with these rectangular-shaped planks. Some of the common patterns include herringbone and brick style. These planks often come with a protective coating, which resists them from scratches and stains.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Vinyl tile flooring is one of the earliest forms of vinyl flooring Dubai, designed to replicate wooden and stone flooring. The main attractive feature of this flooring is that it gives off the exact look of hardwood floors. It is made of limestone and other plasticizers, making it durable and high-performance. Besides wood, you can also get luxury vinyl tile flooring in stone textures.
If you want to enjoy the look of high-end floorings without hectic maintenance, this flooring treatment is the best option for you. Another main benefit of these vinyl tiles is that they can be easily replaced when damaged.
You can make your floors look like wood or stone with vinyl tiles at very affordable rates. These tiles are installed on the floor with the help of adhesives. You can do it yourself also, but if you have no experience, getting professional services is better.
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl sheet flooring comes in the form of long rolls of sheets made of polymer materials. You will find the width of sheet vinyl flooring to be ranging from 6 to 15 feet, making it the perfect choice to install in homes.
This type of vinyl floor can seem thinner than the other types but has more water-resistance. Installing this flooring in moisture-prone areas is the best option because they do not allow a single drop of water to penetrate.
When you install vinyl flooring sheets, the resultant flooring system has no gaps or seams. You will find hundreds of designs and patterns in this flooring type. Besides, it will be harder for you to handle the roll of sheet vinyl flooring, and cutting also requires professional skills. Therefore, it is suggested that you hire a professional for the installation of this flooring which will be a more affordable and quick approach.
What to Consider While Choosing the Right Type of Vinyl Flooring?
Sound Absorption
If reducing the sound of the floor is your main concern, go for the vinyl tiles. They offer sound insulation to your floors. Vinyl plank flooring can also provide moderate-level sound reduction. However, a vinyl sheet might not be a suitable option if reduced noise is what you want in your place.
Maintenance
Vinyl floors are known for their easy maintenance. If we talk about repairing the vinyl floors, tiles are the better option because they can be easily replaced with new ones without the need to replace the entire flooring. From a cleaning perspective, vinyl sheet flooring is easy to clean because of its seamless surface. You should only buy that type of vinyl flooring whose maintenance requirements suit your lifestyle.
Water Resistance
You might be planning to have the vinyl flooring in your bathrooms or laundry areas. The best type to resist water is vinyl sheet flooring as there are no seams on the surface which make it highly resistant to water. Vinyl tiles and planks are also waterproof, but water can penetrate the gaps between tiles.
Budget
One of the main factors while choosing the flooring for you is budget. Sheet vinyl flooring is the most budget-friendly type of vinyl floor. Other than this, the pricing of tiles and planks can depend on the thickness, design, and quality.
Room Requirements
You can install vinyl flooring in any place in both residential or commercial areas. At the same time, sheet vinyl floors are a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens. Vinyl tile and planks are known for installing in the living room, bedroom, and commercial areas.
Conclusion
You will find vinyl floors in many residential and commercial places these days. This flooring treatment is in trend because of its attractive designs and durability. Choosing the right type of vinyl floor will increase the functionality of your floors. We have explained each type’s different aspects, which will help you understand the best match for your place. All of these types are incredibly long-lasting. So you can easily upgrade your floor by choosing the right type of vinyl flooring.