Types of Vinyl Flooring - Your Complete Guide

Do you want to know different types of vinyl flooring for the next project?

Right now you might be confused to choose the best among numerous options. Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular options you could avail of but the vast range of vinyl options makes the decision hard.

So what should be done in such a case?

Don’t worry because you have landed on the right page. In this guide, I will solve your confusion and mention the best vinyl floor types along with their uses so that you know which option you should use in a specific manner.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

People often confuse Vinyl floor with laminate however, both are different and share some slight differences.

Vinyl is one of the most durable flooring options that are accessible at an affordable price. With time, it is becoming more popular for all the right reasons.

The way it withstands every type of weather is surely commendable. Moreover. the versatility it shows in its flooring is also worth appreciating.

It gives you a real wood look and is specially designed for those who can’t afford genuine hardwood floors.

Vinyl Flooring Types

Let’s move ahead and discuss the most commonly used types of vinyl floors. The types include:

Vinyl tiles
Sheet vinyl
Vinyl planks
LVT (luxury vinyl tile)

1. Vinyl Tiles

If you want to customize your flooring so that it looks exactly what you wanted it to be then you can’t find a better option than vinyl tiles.

They might be a little expensive but offers you a huge variety of style and construction opportunities so that you can customize them yourself.

The per square foot price of vinyl tiles ranges from $2.50 to $3.50 which is still affordable. However, if you want to install them on the commercial level then the price might exceed $3.5 per square.

The installation cost is not included in this price. You have to pay it separately.

2. Sheet Vinyl

It is one of the most cost-effective vinyl types that people install over other types of flooring because it is how the installation becomes easy.

They usually come in 6 to 12 feet rolls enough to cover an entire room. The per square foot price of sheet vinyl starts from $1.20 and can go up to $6.40 depending on which sheet you will buy.

It also depends on the area where you want to install. For instance, if you want a sheet vinyl for commercial areas where a lot of foot traffic is used then the price might be near $6.40.

In short, if you are looking for the most budget-friendly vinyl option, you can go with this one. You can also save a lot on installation costs by doing it as a DIY project.

3. Vinyl Planks

We all want our flooring to be as durable as wood floors but not everyone can afford this expensive flooring. Though Vinyl floors look like wood floors what about the durability?

The good news is that Vinyl planks offer the maximum level of durability as wood floors making them an ideal choice for most homeowners.

The thick vinyl flooring is an ideal choice for your home because every room deserves durable vinyl planks.

The per square foot price starts from $2.50 to $3.50 depending on the type and grade level. The installation cost also depends on the person you will hire depending on his expertise.

Hence, if you want to enjoy the durability level of real wood floors at a cost-effective price, go ahead with Vinyl planks. It is a type of vinyl flooring that looks like wood.

4. LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile)

These luxury vinyl floor tiles are another great option to get your hands on. As the name ‘luxury’ defines this type of flooring to be a bit expensive. It is the best choice to be placed anywhere in the home or commercial areas.

The best thing about luxury vinyl tiles is that they are specially designed in a way that they imitate different flooring styles and this is what makes them worth considering.

It is all due to the 3D imaging technology used in the tiles. Moreover, an embossment layer also used in these tiles is above all.

The per square foot price starts from $4.29 and exceeds $7.50 depending on the type. There are some exclusive luxury vinyl tiles that might cost you above $7.50. You have to pay the installation cost separately.

Hence, these are the 4 most commonly used Vinyl floors that you can consider for your next project.

Vinyl Flooring Layers

Now you are aware of the types of best vinyl flooring types, let’s have a look at different layers as well.

Uppermost Layer

The upper layer also known as the top coat gives shine to the flooring and also protects the next layer of the vinyl floors i.e. wear layer. It is one of the most important layers of the vinyl floor.

Wear Layer

The main purpose of the wear layer is to provide protection to the next layer i.e. pattern layer.

Pattern Layer

From the word pattern, you can easily predict that this type of layer holds the color and design of vinyl floors.

Cushion Layer

Next comes the cushion layer which is one of the most important parts of the installation process. It plays a major role in the function and texture of vinyl floors.

Fiberglass Layer

Due to this layer, the vinyl floors do not bend and stay flat. It is another important layer of vinyl floors.

Base Layer

Whether you are constructing a house or flooring, the base layer is the most important one as it keeps other layers in their place.

Hence, ensure that this layer is set properly so that it doesn’t provide harm to other layers.

Vinyl Flooring Maintenance

Maintaining the vinyl flooring is not at all a complicated task. It has a simple cleaning procedure that is easy to follow and apply.

If you daily vacuum the floor, it will be safe from every type of dust and debris even if you have pets and kids at home.

Once a week it is better to use a damp mop or a cloth dip in warm water with a cleaning detergent used in it. Once the cloth is fully soaked, apply the floors but do not over-wet the floor.

On the other hand, if you see stains on your vinyl floors better to get rid of them as soon as possible.

To clean the stain, get your hands on the right detergent. Mix the detergent in warm water and with a cloth start rubbing the spot with gentle hands.

If the stain becomes tough, take vinegar, oil, or lemon. However, this solution often provides harm to the floor color.

Characteristics of Vinyl Floors

Let’s point out a few characteristics of Vinyl floors below to understand their importance.

The characteristics these flooring offers are another main reason why people prefer vinyl floors. They include:

It is Wear Resistant

It is one of the best floorings to be installed in high foot traffic areas because of being wear-resistant. It doesn’t damage or you do not need to spend money on repair every now and then.

It is one of the most significant characteristics of vinyl floors.

It is Slip Resistant

Your children and kids are completely safe with this type of flooring because it is slip-resistant and doesn’t let you or your kid fall.

It is Impact Resistant

Another great advantage you get with this type of flooring is its impact resistance feature. You can drop any heavy object on the floor and the shape of the vinyl will always remain even.

It is SoundProof

Because of numerous layers installed on vinyl floors, it doesn’t make any noise when someone walks over the floor.

Heat Insulation

Vinyl flooring is the best option to be installed in kitchens because of the heat insulation feature. it is resistant to heat and protects the space from heat damage.

Easy Installation

It doesn’t matter what type of Vinyl floor you choose, they are easy to install and you can save a lot by installing the floor as a DIY project. With the right tools and materials, you can install them in no time.

Easy Cleanliness

One of the main problems with the flooring is its cleanliness. Often people don’t have enough time to spend hours cleaning.

However, vinyl floors don’t require a lot of time and sometimes you only need soap and water to make them dirt-free.

How to Choose the Right Vinyl Floor?

Are you wondering what features should be kept in mind before buying the vinyl floor? Let’s have a look at those points to make things easy for you.

Thickness Matters the Most

Whenever you buy a new vinyl flooring ensure the thickness level. If you want the floor to install in low-traffic areas, the thickness should be at least 2–3 mm.

However, if you want to install them in high-traffic areas, they should have a thickness level of 3.2–4.0 mm. The thicker the vinyl plank, the better durability it will provide.

Check the Wear layer

The top layer of the floor will define how durable is the flooring. Hence, if you want your floors to be durable enough, always choose a urethane coating.

They are a bit costly but lost for maximum years. If you live in a joint family, the wear layer should be approximately 10 mil.

Installation Method

One of the main features of vinyl floors is their easy installation. You can also perform this work at home with the right tools.

Hence, before buying vinyl planks check the installation method so that things are easy for you. Floating planks are the most common choice for those who do it as DIY work.

Cost of Vinyl Floors

They are one of the cost-effective or budget-friendly flooring options you can select. Hence, before buying them make sure you are getting the best thing at a cost-effective rate.

Brand Selection

Try to buy the flooring from the best vinyl flooring brands so that you never have to complain about the quality.

What’s Vinyl Roll?

Vinyl roll is one of the most affordable, easy to install, and available flooring options to choose from.

The width of the vinyl roll is approximately 2 to 5 meters and is a great option if you want water-proof flooring. It can hold heavy foot traffic as well so you can consider it.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s cover some important questions that people often ask regarding vinyl flooring patterns and the most popular vinyl plank flooring colors.

What Type of Vinyl Floor Is Best?

Every type of Vinyl floor serves some purpose so one can’t decide which one is the best. It depends on the requirement or the one that better suits you.

What Is the Difference Between LVP and LVT Flooring?

LVT stands for Luxury vinyl tiles while LVP stands for luxury vinyl planks. They are 2 different types of Luxury vinyl flooring.

One of the major differences is that LVP is designed in plank form while LVT is designed in tiles shape.

Are There Different Grades of Vinyl Flooring?

There are 4 different types of Vinyl flooring as mentioned above. The type or grades include Vinyl planks, sheet vinyl, vinyl tiles, and luxury vinyl floors.

Is Laminate or LVP Better?

If you live in an area full of moisture, nothing beats Luxury vinyl planks because they hold moisture in a better way. Moreover, they are more cost-effective as compared to laminate floors.

On the other hand, laminate is more close to wood floor designs and enhances the beauty with its long list of patterns. So, it depends on your priority and requirement which one you should choose.

Final Words

If you have been searching for the types of vinyl flooring, I hope this guide has helped you enough to find the required information.

Vinyl flooring is unarguably one of the best flooring options that don’t require thinking twice before installing. Along with the types. I have tried my best to cover all other aspects as well for your better understanding.

Among so many flooring options, it is often hard to choose the one that better suits your needs so ensure every aspect before making the final choice.

I hope this article will accommodate you to choose the right type of vinyl floor in the future.