In the 1960s and 1970s, vinyl flooring became popular during the housing boom. The reason is that it was recognized that it was a cheap option for bathrooms and kitchens.
It has stood the test of time due to its resistance to moisture, durability, and resistance to heavy use and stains. It is now the 21st century and it seems vinyl flooring is making a comeback but the question is why?
How is Vinyl Flooring Made?
This type of flooring is made of four layers that are heat-sealed and hand-pressed together.
The manufacturers will cover with a protective clear upper level that makes it easy to clean and resistant to damage.
Grit and grime will not stick to the smooth surface so it is very easy to sweep. The surface is also scratch-proof so it can handle a lot of foot traffic.
In vinyl flooring it is rare to get fading, dents, and dings.
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If you have an area in your home that needs frequent cleaning, you should consider vinyl flooring.
It is water-resistant so that is why it is a good choice for the laundry room, kitchen, dining room, or bathroom.
All you have to do is wipe up the moisture. You also do not have to worry about mold’s unpleasant smell of mildew you could find on the carpet.
All you need to do is wipe up the moisture. Vinyl flooring can hold up to the scratch of your pet’s nails and kid’s toys.
This type of flooring has stood the test of time and will continue to be great flooring for your home.
Why Vinyl Flooring is Making a Comeback?
Vinyl flooring is a simple type of flooring that is making a comeback in a big way as it offers low cost, easy maintenance, and durability.
- Easy to clean: This flooring is a top contender for the products that promote maintenance-free living. There is not much that cannot be cleaned easily off the floor; from a pair of dirty mud-shedding boots to a cooking spill in the kitchen. It has few surface imperfections and relatively few seams so it is easier to keep it more hygienic than some other flooring materials. The smoother surfaces of vinyl flooring make cleaning a breeze because there are no holes, cracks, or tiny grooves to hide bacteria.
- Unique designs: Because it is a synthetic material, it makes the perfect canvas for complex pattern printing, unique graphics, and interesting colors. In the ’70s this characteristic was what the attention-grabbing effect was. Patterned vinyl flooring can inject into any room a bold splash of personality. The prints and patterns are unmatched by almost any other flooring material. This flooring can also be printed with a variety of textures to imitate hardwood or stone tiling. The hardwood floorings you can make with vinyl flooring look so realistic that you will think it is real wood and even feel like it but you do not have to worry about getting splinters from it.
- Cost-efficient: If you are on a budget for flooring, then vinyl flooring can be a great option as they can be used in almost any room, including the kitchen and bathroom.
- More sustainable: This is an important consideration these days when building a new house or just looking at flooring options. It is also a green material and in times past vinyl flooring was tough to recycle. The hardiness of vinyl flooring was great for floors but once it was removed, it was not good for the environment. Today, vinyl floorings can be resurfaced so this can help to extend their longevity and keep them out of the landfill for a longer period of time.
- Comfortable and quiet underfoot: Yes, vinyl flooring is not as hard as other materials for floors but it will give you a more gentle feeling when you walk on it. This is the type of flooring you want if you love to go barefoot around the house. Also, the softness makes it quiet when you are walking on it.
- Durable: Vinyl flooring is a long-lasting flooring material. If you have it professionally installed it can last 10-20 years but there is some that you can DIY. It will last a long time if you installed it correctly but maybe not as long as it would if installed professionally. It is perfect for the high traffic areas in commercial buildings and your homes.
Designs of Vinyl Flooring
There are many different designs and styles such as if you want a natural look but do not want the real-life texture to get vinyl flooring.
You can personalize your flooring.
For example, if you like the look of a rock floor, you can get vinyl flooring designed that looks like giant pebbles or rocks so you will feel you are walking on rocks.
You can also get them in various textures or even made to look like faux leather.
The possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
- If you want to give your flooring that retro look, install vinyl flooring.
- It is great for children’s rooms because it is easy to clean if they should spill something on it and it is easy for them a very colorful room with their choice of colors and designs.
- Some of the vinyl floorings can be DIY projects such as vinyl flooring tiles.
- You can take these small tiles that measure four by six inches and make your own design. You can also do it with the larger sizes, which are 12 inches by 12 inches or 16 inches by 16 inches.
- If you have a vinyl floor tile break or get damaged, you can just pry it up and replace it.
- With vinyl flooring in the kitchen, there is less chance of fragile items like delicate toys or glass dishes shattering if dropped on this type of flooring.
- Vinyl flooring is a better insulator than other flooring material so it helps keep your bare feet warm when walking on it.