When you consider the top flooring materials that home buyers are looking for, there’s one particular type that’s worth a deeper dive: vinyl.
Vinyl flooring has come a long way over the years, and these days, you have a few options to choose from. If you’ve been thinking about using vinyl floors for your next build, this blog will help point out the things you need to know.
What Are Some Vinyl Flooring Options?
There are three types of vinyl flooring:
- Tile, which has a similar look and feel to real tile or ceramic.
- Plank, which mimics the look of a real hardwood floor.
- Sheet, which can look similar to real wood or real tile.
What Are Some Advantages of Vinyl Flooring?
- Each of those vinyl floor options tends to be more affordable than its wood or tile counterpart.
- Vinyl stands up to heavy foot traffic, and resists stains and scratches, making it a durable surface.
- Vinyl floors are easy to clean and maintain with simple sweeping and mopping.
- Installation is fairly simple and straightforward.
- Inlaid vinyl produces a rich color and is a good option when the quality of the color is important to the finished product. The color is achieved by embedding granules into the vinyl sheet or by printing the ink directly onto the sheet.
Why Should I Consider Vinyl Tiles?
Of the three vinyl floor options mentioned, tile is the most versatile—it comes in 12-inch or 18-inch squares and is available in a vast array of colors, patterns, and textures. Here are some other reasons to choose tile as your vinyl floor option:
- Tile is relatively inexpensive, coming in at around $1–$4 per square foot.
- Vinyl gives you installation flexibility.
- Tile can be laid on top of existing flooring.
- Some types can be grouted, and tile is engineered to mimic ceramic, porcelain, or stone.
- Tile manufacturers offer any color you want, and many don’t need to be sealed.
- Other types of vinyl tile can simply be laid end to end.
- Vinyl tiles are waterproof and resistant to stains and cracks, so they’ll hold up well to everyday use.
- They’re available in individual sheets so you can create custom designs.
What About Planks?
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent alternative to hardwood, and you won’t sacrifice feel or texture. Plus:
- Vinyl planks are more durable and resistant to water and scratches than real wood.
- Planks are thicker and more rigid than sheet vinyl.
- You can find vinyl planks in many of the same colors as real hardwood—from light wood grey to whitewash.
- One major benefit to vinyl plank flooring is greater stain resistance and durability, homeowners won’t have to refinish these floors every few years or worry about scratches.
- However, planks can be a more expensive vinyl floor option. Expect to pay between $3 and $7 per square foot.
Is Sheet a Good Vinyl Floor Option?
Sheet vinyl is what the name suggests: large sheets of vinyl that can be laid down easily. They typically come in prepared rolls or as 6-foot or 12-foot sheets that can be cut down to the exact measurements needed for the room.
- Sheets are often the most budget-friendly option, at about $1–$2 a square foot.
- Like other vinyl floor options, they can be made to look just like real tile or hardwood.
- Because of their water-resistant properties—it comes in wide rolls, has few seams, and is excellent at repelling water—sheet vinyl is a great option for rooms with high moisture levels. Bathrooms and mudrooms are two of the most common places where you’ll find sheet vinyl.
Summary: You Can’t Go Wrong with Any of These Vinyl Floor Options
No matter what type of vinyl you choose for your next build, you can be confident that installation will be simple and the end product will look polished and professional.
Here’s a quick review of the reasons to consider each of the three types of vinyl flooring:
- Vinyl tiles are versatile, inexpensive, and available in many colors. They can be laid over existing flooring, and they’re waterproof and resistant to stains and cracks. They also come in individual sheets, which allows for custom designs.
- Vinyl planks are more durable and resistant to water, stains, and scratches than real wood and come in many of the colors as hardwood. Keep in mind that planks can be a more expensive vinyl floor option.
- Sheet vinyl is the least expensive vinyl floor option. It can be made to resemble real tile or hardwood, and it’s a great choice for bathrooms, mudrooms, and other high-moisture areas in the home thanks to its water-resistant properties.
