Vinyl Flooring
Many homeowners today choose vinyl flooring for a variety of reasons but mainly because of its durability and versatility. Unlike the flooring of yesteryear, today’s vinyl comes in a wide variety of stylish colors, adding beauty and durability to any room!
A Favorite Among Homeowners
Due to its ease of installation and versatility, vinyl is a favorite among homeowners. Vinyl comes in a variety of thicknesses; the thicker the tiles, the more expensive it is. However, vinyl flooring is among the most affordable flooring that you can find.
Suitability
Vinyl is durable, versatile and long lasting. It is also easy to install. Because it is water and bacteria resistant, it is most suited for areas such as the bathroom, kitchen and basement.
Do-It-Yourself
Vinyl is ideal for the do-it-yourselfer. It comes in either tiles or sheets and is easy to handle. If you are taking on the job of installing vinyl for yourself, and it is your first time, you will find that tiles are easier to install. In addition, you can mix and match tiles to make some great color combinations that you may not see in some retailer showrooms. Vinyl tiles come either pre-glued or not. You may find that the pre-glued tiles are harder to work with, because once you make a mistake, it is harder to correct.
Below are some key points to be aware of when installing vinyl flooring:
1. Use only adhesive made for vinyl, or use pre-glued tiles (only if you have the skill!).
2. Always buy more than you will need for the final floor, so you have leftovers for any repairs.
3. Subfloor must be smooth, level and DRY.
4. You must test the subfloor for moisture. Try installing one tile and leave it for about 72 hours. Then go back and try to pull the tile up. If it comes up easily, the area is too moist and you must use a special adhesive or let the area dry.
5. Use precision when cutting vinyl sheets; make sure that you have measured accurately!
6. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly before walking on it to prevent the tiles from shifting.
Maintenance
One of the reasons that vinyl is so popular is that it is very easy to maintain and keep clean. Many manufacturers sell cleaners specially made for vinyl flooring. The key point to remember, as with any floor, is that vinyl must be cleaned regularly to prevent dirt build-up. If you do not do this, your vinyl flooring will look old before its time.
To clean vinyl flooring, simply sweep thoroughly. You can then use a damp mop (not soaking!) to go over the floor. Pay attention to any heavily soiled areas. This should be done on a regular basis, maybe every month or so, depending on how much traffic that particular area sees. The floor should dry without any watermarks being visible.
You may want to try special cleaners for no-wax floors to keep your vinyl flooring looking shiny and new!
Advantages/Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring
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Other types of Resilient Flooring include Rubber Floors, Cork Floors, and Linoleum Flooring.