Vinyl Flooring Types
Vinyl flooring can be purchased in sheets and tiles. The pros and cons of each are explained below.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Vinyl sheets, sold in 6 foot and 12 foot wide sections, are generally less expensive to purchase and install than vinyl tiles. And because the sheets can be laid down in most rooms in one or two pieces, there are minimal seams, which means better water resistance. The downside to installing vinyl sheets is that it’s difficult to repair damage to the floor without replacing it entirely.
Vinyl Tile Flooring
Vinyl tiles are manufactured in 9″ x 9″ and 12″ x 12″ squares and in a large variety of patterns. The ability to combine different tile designs is a major selling point, as it allows homeowners to get creative with their decor (by, for example, creating a mosaic). While a greater number of seams makes tiles more susceptible to moisture, individual tiles can be removed and replaced if damaged, without disturbing floor integration.
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Vinyl Floor Benefits
Reasons to install vinyl flooring in your home include the following:
- Versatility: Not only is vinyl available in a broad range of styles and colors, but it can also be installed in a number of ways, including over a standard underlayment, directly on concrete, and even over existing ceramic tile.
- Practicality: Vinyl wears well and is a good choice for high-traffic areas. And with an available urethane coating, the material resists stains, scuffs, and scratches even better. Aside from sweeping and mopping, vinyl floors should require virtually no maintenance.
- Comfort: The inner core of vinyl flooring has a foam layer that makes it comfortable and quiet to walk on, a major plus for homeowners with children and pets.
- Cost: Vinyl costs considerably less than other flooring products, and when its excellent performance is considered, the material proves to be a great value indeed.
Vinyl Flooring Costs
The actual cost of vinyl flooring depends on a number of factors, including product quality, local labor and material costs, the complexity of the installation, and more.
- While vinyl flooring can be purchased for as little as $.50 to $1.00, higher-quality products cost $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot. Add another $1 to $2 per square foot for installation, and you’re looking at a total cost of around $2.00 to $7.00 per square foot. To cover a 200 square foot kitchen with vinyl, plan on spending $400 to $1,400.
- Removal and disposal of old flooring, furniture and fixture moving, and subfloor preparation (if necessary) can all add to the project cost.