Vinyl is the second best-selling plastic in the world, and for good reason. Vinyl is low cost, high performance, and versatile, making it the best choice for many industries including communications, healthcare, aerospace; and of course floors for the home. Statistics show that the production of vinyl flooring increased by 6.1% between 2011 and 2012, which would point to a significant increase in demand for this type of flooring. In addition to this, vinyl exports increased 1.9% in the last year alone, and vinyl continued to outperform traditional wood to occupy 68% of the overall market for domestic applications.
It’s not just vinyl in general that has seen tremendous growth over the last decade. Vinyl plank flooring is now the top choice for many homes in the United States and beyond, primarily due to the low cost, durability, and versatility of this type of flooring. Before deciding on vinyl as your best flooring option, it is important to first discover the benefits and issues with vinyl plank flooring. Like all other types of flooring, vinyl is not entirely perfect. There are a few downsides that might be worth considering before making your biggest flooring decision.
The Advantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring
There are a number of notable advantages of vinyl plank flooring over other types of flooring. It is these advantages that have led to the growing popularity of vinyl for home flooring applications:
Cost factor: Vinyl planks are created to mimic the look and feel of real wood, but cost only a fraction of the price. Distinguishing the difference between vinyl and real wood flooring is difficult, especially for the untrained eye, which means that homeowners can enjoy the aesthetics of real wood without spending a lot of money.
Grain dimension: Vinyl plank flooring is also designed with a wide variety of wood grain sizes that would otherwise be difficult to find in traditional wood. You can simply choose the grain size that matches your specific solid wood preference and easily incorporates into your home décor. In addition to this, there are many different shades that mimic oak, maple, cherry, and other types of wood. The design options here are literally limited to your imagination.
Durability: Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable types of flooring on the market; Definitely more durable than real wood. This type of flooring is ideal for high traffic areas in the home and is hardly susceptible to scratches, dings and other defects as is common with real wood flooring. In addition to this, the flooring is waterproof, which means that it can be installed virtually anywhere in the home, including sensitive areas like the kitchen or basement.
Installation: Vinyl plank flooring is one of the easiest flooring to install in any type of space. Although it is recommended that you hire an expert for the job, DIY enthusiasts with the right knowledge and experience can easily install the flooring without the added cost of calling in an expert. Installation can be done quickly, professionally, and hassle-free with little to no mess or waste, which is more than can be said for hardwood floors.
Comfort: Vinyl planks are comfortable for your feet and can be installed in high traffic areas. Planks also add an extra layer of insulation, making it a good choice for extra soundproofing. The floor also does not generate noise underfoot as is the case with real wood floors.
Maintenance: Vinyl is extremely easy to maintain and only needs a vacuum followed by a wet mop or mop. The floor also doesn’t stain easily, making it ideal for homes with pets and young children.
Reconditioning: Some touch-ups may be needed over time to restore the floor to its original condition. The advantage of vinyl planks is that they can be easily and inexpensively replaced. You don’t have to remove the entire floor to restore it, all you need to do is work on the problem areas and your floor will return to its former glory.
The downsides of vinyl plank flooring
As with any other type of flooring available on the market, vinyl planks have some disadvantages. No floor is 100% perfect, so it’s important to understand both the benefits and issues of vinyl plank flooring before making a decision:
Durability: Although vinyl is durable and can resist chipping and warping, the floor is still susceptible to scratches. These can start to show over time, especially in high-traffic areas, so a little extra care is needed to maintain aesthetics for as long as possible.
Fading: Vinyl planks are also known to fade over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Hence, this makes it a poor choice for outdoor applications.
Installation: Because vinyl is not as strong as natural wood planks, an underlayment will need to be installed before actual vinyl planks.
Aesthetics: Although vinyl mimics the look of real solid wood, it is still vinyl. This is obvious especially to the trained eye, which can be a problem for some owners.
Cleaning: You must be careful when cleaning vinyl plank floors, as there are certain cleaners and solvents that can damage the floor. You want to use cleaners that have been made specifically for vinyl floors.
Final thought
It is extremely important to consider the benefits and problems of vinyl plank flooring. Only after careful consideration of both sides will you be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not this is the floor for you.
Despite the downsides, vinyl planks are still an incredibly good choice for home flooring applications. The disadvantages can be easily ignored given the many advantages of this type of flooring. The cost factor is the most important advantage, as not everyone can afford real solid wood flooring, especially given the current global economic situation.
It is important to explore other options before deciding on just one. The floor is fundamental for the aesthetics of the house and is one of the first things that people see when they enter a house. That said, it takes a lot of foresight and consideration when making this important decision.