Vinyl Flooring For Easy Care and Durability

Vinyl flooring is played down these days in favor of tile and laminates. While tile flooring and laminates have many virtues, vinyl flooring still has it's place and can be a good choice depending on your needs.

Advantages of vinyl flooring

• Vinyl flooring stands up well in heavy wear areas, and areas subject to spills and moisture.
• Vinyl flooring is easier on the feet than tile and other hard surface flooring.
• Vinyl flooring is warmer than many other flooring products.
• Vinyl works very well in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms especially for busy families because it is easy to clean in these busy areas and spills are not an emergency in most cases.

While many do-it-yourselfers choose the tile version because it seems easy to install one small piece at a time, I do not recommend it. Sheet vinyl holds up better, is easier to clean, and just looks better.

Prices vary greatly in vinyl, from very economical to very high end. Pricing depending on the selection you make.

Another advantage to vinyl is that it is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. It can also be found in textured patterns that are very attractive and realistic.

I have seen vinyl floors in wood and tile patterns that require you to touch them to convince yourself it is not the real thing.

Tips for installing vinyl flooring

Recruit a helper. Large sheets of vinyl can be hard for one person to manage. Even in small spaces, an extra set of hands can help you maneuver the vinyl more easily and avert tearing it.

Measure your area carefully, and purchase a little extra just in case. Left over vinyl is handy under sinks, or even to line shelves or drawers that get heavy wear.

Apply masking tape to top of vinyl in corner areas to avoid tearing while it is being placed.

Be sure the area where you install the vinyl flooring is clean and flat. Pre-fill holes or variations in the surface before you attempt installation.