cAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT MAY BE GOOD? This will have the least likelyhood of moving with temperature changes. Vinyl can be installed directly on almost any subfloor, which makes the installation process quick and relatively easy. The same goes for the shower. Vacuuming, sweeping and using a damp mop are typically sufficient measures to keep your floor clean and you can easily DIY a gentle cleaning solution instead of purchasing one. Typically, the premium for embossed techniques is another$.40 to $.50 extra. Some types of vinyl flooring, such as tiles or large sheets require an extra level surface because any flaws and imperfections will show through as bumps and indentations on your floor. A core layer, potentially with an underlay or backing, makes up the bulk of the floor. Vinyl is quite affordable and has an uncomplicated installation process that can be DIYed fairly easily. No mold or mildew means that you wont have to worry about your family getting sick. It is important to always keep a consistent temperature in your home when installing flooring. IF you would like to put a rug down, you definitely can, but first you will want to go to a local store and buy a mesh foam, such as one you would put in a cabinet to keep glasses in place. If you choose to glue down your vinyl flooring, the removal process is known to be very difficult. A rep from shaw said it was installation mistake and we had no claim. Hi MJ Armstrong is the leader in this area. Wed recommend using a glued down product. I have vinyl planking in my new condo, all three floors. That is nice to know that vinyl plank flooring is water resistant. The vinyl warranties will also be voided if used in this fashion. Vinyl flooring is 100% water resistant? Hi Don, thanks for reaching out! Does that include the interlocking kind of planks if one gets damaged in the middle of the floor? Keep up the work. Hi, I live in a building with 11 floors and rugs in the halls areas, but they are always dirty because sometimes the water heaters and air conditioners got broken and the water goes to these hallways, causing damage to the rugs (dirty). Durability Hi Zoe! You will still want to be careful with sharper heels for the top surface, however. Hi Pattie, thanks for the question. Hello, Due to the condition, square footage, and budget of our hardwood floors we are looking at cost effective ways to re-do our entire first floor with the same product through out our home. He wants to have the flooring replaced as soon as possible, so hes looking at different options for materials. Hi Chris, thanks for your question. Theyre a great option for kids and pets! Vinyl flooring offers a wide range of textures, styles and colors. Because of the softer nature, vinyl floors have a little more flexibility and give, which makes it easier to stand on for long periods of time. It shows all the foot prints when people walk in. The sales person strongly talked me into getting their Luzury Vinyl Planks. Which of these two options would you recommend for my situation? A hardwood floor will easily scratch and anyone with a busy household (pets and kids) will be happy to have something more durable. My biggest concern is that we currently have the vinyl planks in our master bath and it feels like Im walking on concrete, not exactly the feel I want for our main floor. Is hand scraped vinyl flooring available? Can vinyl flooring go right up to a fireplace? I hope this helps! You can order free samples on our website to see what color and style you like the most! If you plan to put vinyl in a sunroom or heavily sunlit room, it is recommended to limit sunlight during the day. We have 4 kids and a dog and a cat. Thanks for the reply. Just tell it like it is for a change. I suppose it may be better safe than sorry.. Hi Ashley, thanks for the question. It costs a fortune to ship to the manufacturer for recycle and they do not help with the cost whatsoever. Now we have noticed that some of the planks are lifting and there is efflorescence underneath. Hi Cynthia, We have a lot of options for transition pieces. Vinyl flooring is known for being resilient. Fingers crossed!! Thank you Alana, This is a very useful information you provided. You would have to uninstall the flooring all the way to the plank with damage, pull out the plank, and reinstall. They didnt use any adhesive, but Ive read that its very difficult to remove it if you do anyway. With this technique though, every grain is embossed into the texture of the board. If you have any more questions, feel free to give us a call at 800-520-0961. Easy clean. Keep in mind that most warranties will be voided if you install in a non-temperature regulated space. Can you please respond to my email once youve answered this? We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. I would like to replace our carpeting in the basement with VFP but Im wondering if it can withstand the weight of a pool table. I was thinking of choosing this as flooring for our new home, but when I read that it can get scratched easily, Im not sure about it anymore. Hi Adnan, most vinyl floors VOCs are rated using FloorScore. Hi Rick. Our number is 800-520-0961. I had no idea that vinyl flooring was so water-resistant and that spills wont affect the floor. Far more toxic chemicals will be released, like dioxin, than if it was wood. In addition, children and pets get a much higher toxic exposure due to their size. My husband phoned the person who hires the contractor and is happy that he got the reply; of course we will put flooring in before installing the new cabinets. Unbeknownst to many homeowners, there are many different kinds of vinyl flooring. The easiest option would probably be to add a plywood subfloor on top of your current floors for an even, and structurally level surface. This huge variation is a result of the initial installation process, quality of the flooring, thickness of the wear layer and maintenance. Ft. Now in about 20-30 stops when you walk it sounds hollow or loose. I am installing in an 88 bathroom. The biggestadvantage of vinyl plank flooring is the fact that it is 100% water resistant. Going to replace the bathroom floor .Leanning toward Vynil flooring because of the look and water resistance . We too are gutting-out the whole cottage kitchen, from ceiling to walls to floors. Hello! Also would you recommend putting an extra pad for added softness even though their is a rubber pad attached? And that the additives that they put in the vinyl mixture to keep it from being brittle, like lead and cadmium, can leach out over the years. I would recommend going with at least a 4mm engineered vinyl look for SPC or WPC. I would recommend going with a glue down vinyl. Vinyl does have a DIY installation, but for hiring a contractor, we usually recommend asking family, friends or neighbors. Good luck on the installation! The top will look like hardwood and have that strong feel, but standing on vinyl for long periods of time is easier than standing on real wood. Try to avoid products with waxes and conditioners. Now ages 68 and 66 with limited income and stuck with a bad floor and chronic coughs. We recommend you visit the manufacturers website for product details and customer reviews. What should I do? We live in a cold weather state. A flat, clean and level subfloor is a very important step in the installation. If you want to dive deeper into which type of vinyl will be best for your project, you will want to learn more about each type of vinyl flooring. If you have any other questions, let us know! I am pulling my hair out trying to resolve this issue. Here are some potential cons of vinyl flooring. One other thing is that the texture options available for LVP have come a very long way with the Embossed-in-Register technique. Hi Joy, thanks for your question. Yes, a vinyl can withstand the weight of a pool table. Any sudden changes in temperature will cause your floor to expand, and this could lead to buckling and other damage. In our article, we do not mean that vinyl planks can be recycled with your regular recyclables that you would place on your curb. But thats changed. What do you think about this and will it help give it a shine? How about adding the fact that the manufacture of vinyl creates toxic chemicals, one of which is dioxin the strongest carcinogen on earth! They say my warranty is up and the temperature thing nullifies it too. After I asked my question in here I found an 800 number on this site and asked the same question and I was told that rubber backed rugs are ok on vinyl plank flooring. With the technology today, vinyl floors look very realistic and beautiful. Vinyl flooring can move in temperature fluctuations, but not as much as a laminate. Will That be an issue . The room we just installed our new vinyl plank flooring in has tmperature variations f rom summer heat to winter cold. Can I put rubber backed area rugs on them? Can you use click together Vinyl plank flooring as an accent piece in a shower (i.e. Having a floor that is completely water-resistant means that you wont have to worry about things like mold and mildew in your kitchen. Ive been looking for ways waterproof my floors but maybe Ill just to switch them out for vinyl flooring. I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Laminates are very safe and you can walk on them with barefeet. If no one has a referral, check BBB or Angies List. After you learn about each type of vinyl flooring, you can compare the pros and cons to find out which option will be best for your project! With any flooring, you will always want to have a stable, and level subfloor. Hi Carol, thanks for the question! The floor is pretty level but not perfectly level. Thanks! Top manufacturers include Shaw Flooring, COREtec, Mohawk and Armstrong. Our live sale reps are happy to help (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm). With advances in vinyl plank flooring, you can find vinyl floors with rigid core construction, making them more dimensionally stable and sturdy. I have seen vinyl plank and really like the look. In the industry, we see most people simply throw their flooring away, but there are some manufacturers that will help get them recycled! Usually, yes, but you should still check the construction and with the manufacturer to be sure! Hi Merleie, thanks for reaching out. Easy Maintenance Sometimes, its so bad that the water drips around the hardwood floor to the unfinished (luckily unfinished, or wed never know and have mold in a finished room) basement. I didnt know that you can install vinyl flooring on just about any subfloor. With that being said, vinyl flooring can fluctuate in temperature, but you can combat this by adding an LVT underlayment, such as Floor Muffler LVT to help keep your vinyl cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Typically, when people reference vinyl flooring, theyre thinking about sheet flooring, which is arguably the most popular type. Hi, I just purchased a home and will be remodeling it. I put the Armstrong luxe plank floor down. As is with anything in life, as long as you take care of something, it will last you for a while. Vinyl plank flooring is very durable, however it is a softer material than most laminates, hardwoods and tiles. Hi Dale, thanks for the question. We would recommend putting felt pads on the bottom of your tank stand to prevent any denting that could occur from the constant pressure on the laminate. Im writing because I called a widely commercialized company for floors several months ago. I was worried that I would get some vinyl and I couldnt use it. Luxury vinyl plank flooring has a DIY installationwith either aclick lock, glue down or loose lay installation method. Is there anything that can be done to correct this problem? Assortment of Design Options Please see our. Can you direct me to the proper floor system/manufacturer. If you plan on using a rug on your vinyl plank flooring, we would highly recommend using a mesh padding to go underneath, so no residue or discoloring will effect your floor. Ron it is always suggested to use transition pieces in doorways for floating floors as this will help with expansion of the flooring. The product requires only light routine cleaning grit and dirt should be swept free to maintain the surface of the floor, and mop or Swiffer can be used to remove stains. Even though you are able to install vinyl on top of cement and plywood subfloors, you do need to make sure that whatever subfloor you have is flat and even. When it comes to redoing your kitchen floors, theres a wide variety of options to choose from. Some of our furniture is way too heavy for us seniors to be lifting and carrying. With kids running around all day with their fists full of questionable things, the flooring might not survive in a year. They have a rigid core that makes them dimensionally stable and they are 100% waterproof. For a wheelchair, I would recommend going with an SPC or WPC plank that is engineered to be extremely stable and durable. This adds cushion and is a nice addition to the floors. After reading all of these comments, i feel eerie about doing this incorrectly. Right now I have sheet vinyl down. Before we overview vinyl flooring pros and cons, it may be helpful to understand the origins of vinyl flooring. When looking for high-quality vinyl flooring, check the warranties and thickness of the wear layer. Hi Rick. You have not addressed the LVP question about scratching regarding chair legs moved across the plank they have scratched how do you avoid scratching Felt pads makes sense if a scratch does happen what do you recommend to polish it out a wax? You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Should I be concerned that normal household furniture such as beds, dressers and a dining room table/chairs will dent the flooring? The difference in price of resilient vinyl products is determined by the quality of the material and the design options found in the surface. In some cases, high-quality vinyl can approach the cost of inexpensive hardwood, so be sure to compare and contrast between the two before making a final decision. Hi Deb, thanks for your question. The ramp will be 3 X 7 and fall 1 . Vinyl is definitely a good option if you need water resistant properties for your flooring! You can order free samples and check them out for yourself at home. However, when you remove your old flooring, you should always inspect the subfloor to make sure its in good shape before adding vinyl on top. Just keep in mind that vinyl can always move and putting it in a non-temperature regulated space will void any warranty. Best of luck. Hey Daniel, They have a program called On and On recycling where they will ship bins to your house to place material in and will arrange for the pick up of your bins, free of charge. Hey Rebecca, thank you for reaching out. My sister is wanting to get new flooring for her home. I purchased a 2 sided cotton rug for the bath. As with any product, there aredisadvantagesassociated with vinyl plank flooring. Thank you! Since notca natural stone or wood? Hi Nick, thanks for reaching out. As long as you have Air Conditioning running within your home, the outside temperature will not matter. Manufacturing vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals, and after installation, vinyl floors have been known to emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Ill be sure to look for vinyl flooring installers near us so that we can babyproof our floors for when the baby comes. Is SPC flooring ok to use when installing an ADA compliant ramp? Vinyl floors are perfect for kid proofing and pet proofing your home because they are waterproof and scratch resistant. They are flooding the market before the kinks are work out, of which there are too many to list and go on about here. Regarding Armstrong Rigid Core Luxe Floating Vinyl installed professionally over concrete now making a slapping sound from slight to extreme over most areas of every room ( no underlayment was used or even mentioned by installer) Installer now says the slapping is normal. Vinegar is a disinfectant and a natural, chemical-free way to remove dirt and grime. Ill go talk to a flooring contractor as soon as we begin the remodeling. As far as heating goes, your vinyl should be fine. Over this is an image layer, which can mimic a multitude of materials including wood and ceramic. I want to install vinyl planking in my camper but have slides that may flex a little will it be a problem? They did do some leveling and claim it was to specification. Abrasive, oily and acidic products should also be avoided. There are so many different styles of non-permanent kitchen islands that I would need more information to give you the best answer on how to install your floor. Would it be OK to run the flooring under the air handler- the inside unit of our heating and air system, or do we have to go around it. Add affordability to the mix and one of the best options youll find is vinyl flooring. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Thanks for sharing this informative post about vinyl plank flooring. Have you had temperature drops, heavy rains or flooding? Youre correct, Daniel! Looking to replace my rental home with vinyl flooring. She will love the idea of vinyl plank since they come in different colors. The other question is, can we expect problems with an electric heated flooring system (i.e. 2022 Avalon Flooring, All rights reserved. Most vinyl flooring has a square edge, and when properly installed, it should be very tight and hard for any type of liquid to get into the plank. Is Vinyl a good option to have in thr Living room and kitchen? Can the tiles be glued to the wall? Hi Yvan, thanks for the question. When it comes to cost, vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring options out there, especially compared to options like stone, tile or hardwood. You can read our vinyl cleaning tips here: https://www.bestlaminate.com/help/maintaining-and-cleaning-vinyl-flooring/. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. If you have any other questions, please let us know! All the vinyl floors we carry are considered safe for all household use, are CARB compliant, and should not be a concern with your lung issues. (We dont recommend installing vinyl in then shower/tub area.). Affordability: One of the most inexpensive flooring options on the market, vinyl can approximate the look of pricier materials at a fraction of the cost. HI Celina i am need of flooring bad and have been weighing which one is most durable. EIR is an amazing look and the vinyl looks extremely realistic. Like any surface, if water is trapped, mold does have a potential to grow. Very high-end premium vinyl flooring can cost as much as ten dollars per square foot, though this is still less expensive than premium flooring choices, such as stone. I am thinking about putting luxury vinyl plank in my kitchen. Thank you. If you want extra cushion under your foot or to add some thermal properties, you can opt for an underlayment if your floor is over 4mm thick. Your friend will not be added to our email list unless they personally choose to sign up. On the other hand, because of the wear layer, vinyl floors should not be waxed, varnished or steam-cleaned. Does vinyl plank flooring retain heat or stay coldIm looking to install in my basement on a concrete floor. Also, test it in a small part of your flooring before you use it completely. If you go with a square edge floor, you are unlikely to have any liquid leak between them. This is especially true for sheet vinyl or low-quality vinyl. Great Dean! In that same vein, you also will not get the same investment value with vinyl as you would with material like hardwood. a lot. The vinyl is very thin, like a thin vinyl sheet cut into planks, and I had trouble with one of the three types I chose. I am leaning toward LVP for the flooring because of its resistance to water damage. I think it compliments this particular blog very well and they are both great ones to learn about LVP. To me, it has pros and pros. Hi Kristen! Great article, especially about punctures, dimpling, and UV. Hello there! When they are warmed by the sun or experience extreme temperatures, then they can expand and contract more. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Is this an interior ramp? Yes, vinyl can be used in this application. It is hard to say what is causing this. Hi Zac, thanks for the question. This could be an issue as well. Hi Kris, thanks for the question. I would recommend placing coasters or cardboard under the appliances for any moving. If a floor can be warranted for commercial usage, it will be more than efficient for a home. Vinyl flooring is a type of multi-layered synthetic flooring. Vinyl is a great option for kitchens. Depending on what type of vinyl flooring you choose, however, you can expect different levels of durability. Ill make sure to pass this information along to her so she can know the benefits of vinyl flooring. I took out the carpet and i have cement/concrete. Hi Marlene, thanks for the question. Lo9king at floor options for B&B rooms (4). If you do a glue down vinyl, you cannot have an underlayment. Dav, thank you for reaching out. The cabin sits on a 3 high crawl space which is set on a concrete slab. I would look into maybe a sheet vinyl for this type of application.