Durable Vinyl Flooring

About Durable Vinyl Flooring

While vinyl flooring might have begun its ascent to popularity in the 1950s,the vinyl of today is not your grandmother's kitchen flooring!Vinyl flooring has been a popular choice among builders and homeowners for many years. Today, it's available in more shapes, styles, and colors than ever and is a go-to in commercial, residential, and institutional spaces for its strength and durability. 

Is Vinyl Flooring Durable?

Available in tile and plank forms, luxury vinyl flooring is one of the most durable flooring options on the market. The multi-layer surface includes a rigid, waterproof core that is built to withstand your active lifestyle whether that means cleaning up messy spills or wrangling the dog in from outdoors. The water resistance also makes luxury vinyl flooring appropriate for high-moisture spaces like your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. 

If you're looking for a geometric patterned tile design to spruce up your contemporary space, check out sheet vinyl, which comes in flexible sheets 6 to 12 feet wide and printed with a design. Because it's installed in larger pieces, sheet vinyl has fewer seams, making it especially useful in wet areas, like bathrooms.

Appearance

The design and style options available for durable vinyl flooring are practically endless. You’ll have no problem finding the perfect match for your home’s aesthetic, whether that's a rustic oak look in the kitchen or a polished marble-look tile in the foyer. Vinyl products range from gorgeous wood-look planks and natural stone to decorative patterns and solid colors. 

Maintenance

You’ll be pleased to know that taking care of durable vinyl flooring is a simple, straightforward process, leaving you more time to focus on your hobbies. Tackle routine cleaning with a broom or vacuum to remove dust and dirt that's accumulated, and use a damp mop for deeper cleaning on occasion. Be sure you check with the manufacturer for cleaning instructions specific to your vinyl flooring selection. 

Lifespan

The good news is you won’t have to worry about replacing your floors for many years to come, as our durable vinyl plank flooring generally lasts a couple of decades. How long your flooring will last will be determined by specific factors, like: 

• How it was installed and the quality of the materials used
• How well you care for and maintain it
• Whether you follow the manufacturer's guidance
• The amount of wear and tear it receives in your home

It's a good idea to ask about warranty protection during your flooring search. A solid warranty will give you the peace of mind you want with your new home improvement. 

Installation

Installation methods can vary depending on the type of vinyl flooring you choose. Carpet One's professional installers will ensure the right method is applied in an efficient way. Proper installation can affect the lifespan of your floors, plus relying on the experts saves you the hassle of tackling a new project!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Durable Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring durability provides many more advantages than it does disadvantages. For example, durable vinyl floors lend themselves to any location within the home thanks to their tough construction and water resistance. This means you can install these floors in even the hard-to-reach places. With a variety of design styles, you're not limited to one type of durable vinyl flooring, so you can get a white oak look in the bedroom while still keeping to a natural stone look in the bathroom. 

On the downside, vinyl plank flooring durability doesn't hold the same value as hardwood when it comes to increasing the resale value of your home. If you’re planning on moving furniture or have kids that are constantly dragging their toys across the floors, look for luxury vinyl products that have tough wear layers and reliable scratch warranties.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more durable: laminate or vinyl?

Both laminate and vinyl have many similar features and benefits for the home. Your lifestyle and the activities within your home will determine your durability needs. Today’s solid core vinyl performs as well as laminate with the advances in technology. As always, consult with your local Carpet One flooring expert to ensure that your product fits your project needs.

What is the most durable vinyl plank flooring?

Solid core luxury vinyl plank flooring is the most durable vinyl option you can install. Among its multi-layered construction it features a strong, solid, waterproof vinyl core and a protective top layer that resists most scratches, scuffs, and staining. Your active family will appreciate luxury vinyl plank flooring for both it’s stunning natural appearance and ability to protect against household accidents 

What is the most scratch-resistant flooring?

Luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring both do a good job of resisting scratches, but that doesn’t mean that they’re entirely scratch proof. In fact, nearly every flooring type can be scratched under certain conditions. You can best protect against scratches by looking for flooring products that have tough wear layers and protective topcoats rated well for scratch-resistance. 

Does vinyl flooring rip easily?

Vinyl flooring tolerates normal wear and tear, but it’s not immune to ripping in some circumstances. Dragging heavy objects is a common culprit of tears and rips in the vinyl surface, but you can easily protect against this by using furniture pads when moving and placing area rugs under heavy objects that might move.

Do I need a moisture barrier under vinyl flooring?

It depends. A moisture barrier is important if you're installing vinyl flooring in areas prone to moisture, like bathrooms, or in below-grade basements. If your home is located in a humid climate or has concrete subflooring, your installation professional will add a moisture barrier to your vinyl flooring installation process.