Vinyl flooring is one of the ideal flooring types for both residential and commercial use today. Thanks to the durability and affordability, it has in recent times become more popular among homeowners.
However, there are different types of vinyl floors with different characteristics, and people need to know these peculiarities before they choose vinyl flooring. One of the things people want to know about vinyl floors is how they look, given their affordability.
There are many types of vinyl flooring that look strikingly similar to hardwood, stone or marble flooring, and therefore do not look cheap. Rather, they look like the floor they are designed to mimic. Some types of vinyl flooring will achieve this better than others.
Let’s take a look at the various type of vinyl floors…
Vinyl Floor Types
If you have chosen to go for a vinyl floor in your building or remodeling project, then you should be able to select a suitable one from the different types available.
Typically, there are about four different vinyl flooring types and will discuss these various types below.
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Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring is more affordable when compared to the other types of vinyl flooring, and it is highly durable and dirt-resistant.
Also, it is very easy to install.
If you are trying to imitate the look of a hardwood floor, you should go for vinyl plank flooring.
Typically, vinyl planks come with a foam core that makes them very strong and rigid; as such, they are arguably the most durable type vinyl flooring.
Interestingly, vinyl plank manufacturers have been able to mimic different hardwood patterns and colors, leaving you with so many vinyl plank options to choose from.
Another exciting feature of the vinyl plank is that they are waterproof, unlike natural wood flooring.
Only an experienced eye would be able to tell the difference between a good vinyl plank flooring and a hardwood floor.
Vinyl Sheet
Of all vinyl flooring types, the vinyl sheet is the easiest to install, and it is likewise the best option for spaces like kitchens and bathrooms where there is a high likelihood of liquid spills.
The seamless nature of the sheet will not allow liquids to seep into crevices, where they can cause progressive damage to the flooring.
They come in rolls of about 6ft or 12ft, so, in an averagely sized room, you can have a seamless installation with just a single roll of vinyl sheet.
In general, vinyl flooring is cheap, but the vinyl sheet is up there among the most costly ones.
Vinyl sheets are of varying grades, and the quality of each grade reflects in the price.
Vinyl Tiles
Closely resembling marble tiles or stone tiles, vinyl tiles are perfect for DIY enthusiasts who would prefer to carry out the installation.
The individual square tiles come in different sizes, giving you the option to choose whichever size you prefer.
Just like with other types of tiles, you get to customize your floor and design it in any way you please.
All you have to do is arrange the tiles in a manner that conforms to your design theme.
Furthermore, vinyl tile flooring is very easy to repair, as you can easily remove and replace the damaged tiles.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles
While the versatility, affordability, and durability of vinyl flooring are widely regarded, some people feel it has no high-end value.
Contrary to that popular belief, vinyl flooring can also be luxurious and exquisite, as long as you go for the right type.
The significant difference between regular vinyl and luxury vinyl is the inclusion of a couple of additional layers, to improve the appearance and durability.
They can be more expensive than the usual vinyl flooring, but they have more to offer in terms of style and aesthetics.
Luxury vinyl tiles are also more realistic in the mimicry of other flooring types, and they perfectly capture the appearance of high-end floor types like marble.
If you would love to use vinyl flooring in your home and at the same time adopt a high-end style, you should go with luxury vinyl tiles.
Do Vinyl Floors Look Cheap?
Typically, when something comes at a low price, it connotes inferior quality, and most of the time, this reflects in the look of the product.
However, does the fact that vinyl floors are affordable means they look cheap?
Ordinarily, vinyl floors don’t have a cheap look, and they portray a perfect representation of other flooring types, almost to an unrecognizable extent.
But like any other building elements, they come in different grades, and only the best grades have the most luxurious appearance.
With time, some factors will affect the look of vinyl floors and may cause them to lose their shine.
If they are constantly exposed to sunlight, and if they are not cleaned regularly, they will lose their shiny appearance in no time and develop a look that is classified as cheap.
While vinyl flooring does not ordinarily look cheap, some vinyl floor types possess a more luxurious and high-end look than most.
If you are bothered by the possibility of vinyl floors looking cheap and would love to have this type of flooring in your home, you should choose luxury vinyl tiles.
Luxurious vinyl tiles portray a very luxurious style, and they do so without the fragile disadvantage of other high-end floor types.
However, like other vinyl floor types, they require constant cleaning and maintenance.
Conclusion
All in all, vinyl floors do not look cheap, but they are of varying grades.
The exquisiteness of any floor type will depend on the grade you choose.
Also, with proper maintenance and protection from sunlight, they will retain their shiny look for a long time.
For those with high-end taste, you should probably go for luxury vinyl.
The essential difference between luxury vinyl and regular vinyl is the addition of a number of layers to improve on the look and durability, making it more accurate in its mimicry of hardwood and other floor types.