Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
Vinyl flooring has become increasingly popular among the many flooring options available today, and for good reason. It provides adaptability, toughness, and visual appeal frequently for a much lower cost than more conventional flooring materials like real wood. But inside vinyl itself, there are many varieties, each with their own special qualities. This post explores six popular vinyl flooring varieties and explains each one’s attributes to help you make a decision.
Table of Contents
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl sheet flooring is a single, continuous roll that gives a space a smooth appearance. It frequently consists of several layers, including a backing material, a core layer, fiber-glass to maintain the sheet’s flatness, a decorative layer, and a protective layer—typically urethane—that provides surface defense against spills and scratches. One benefit of vinyl sheets is that they are waterproof, which makes them ideal for damp spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, they can imitate a variety of natural materials, including stone and wood, and are reasonably priced.
Click vinyl tiles
Like laminate flooring systems, click vinyl flooring tiles have interlocking edges that are simple to “click” into place. The vinyl core, printed design layer, and protective wear layer are the layers that make up the tiles. Their multi-layered construction provides both authenticity and durability. The ability to replace individual tiles if they become damaged and the simplicity of installation—even for do-it-yourself enthusiasts—are the advantages of click vinyl tiles. Because of the format of the individual tiles, they also provide some design flexibility. The seams between tiles can let moisture in even though they are water-resistant, especially if they are not installed tightly.
Self adhesive vinyl tiles
The pre-applied adhesive backing of self-adhesive vinyl tiles eliminates the need for a separate adhesive application. They feature a multi-layered structure with a protective top layer and a design layer, just like other vinyl options. Self-adhesive vinyl tiles have the main benefit of being easy to install—just peel and stick. This facilitates a quick installation procedure. The drawback is that different adhesives have different strengths, which could eventually cause tiles to lift. Furthermore, subfloor preparation is essential because flaws in the subfloor can be seen through the tile.
Glue down vinyl tiles
Before installation, glue-down vinyl tiles must have an adhesive manually applied to the subfloor or the tile’s back. Like other tiles, these are made up of several layers for strength and beauty. The stability of glue-down vinyl tiles is one of its strongest points. They are unlikely to come off, which makes them perfect for high-traffic areas. Additionally, they offer a stronger bond with the subfloor, lowering the possibility of seams or gaps opening. But unlike other options, installing them requires more work and time, and taking them out can be difficult.
Click vinyl planks
Click vinyl planks are shaped like planks to resemble wooden floorboards, but they have an interlocking design similar to that of click vinyl tiles. They usually consist of three layers: a decorative wood-look layer, a protective top layer, and a vinyl core made of wpc or spc. The genuine wood look that click vinyl planks can offer at a fraction of the price of real wood is one of its advantages. They also make the installation process easier with their click-system. Like click tiles, though, the seams are susceptible to moisture if not precisely joined, and although they resemble wood, they don’t have the same warmth or tactile quality.
