What is the vinyl flooring?
The Vinyl flooring is made of synthetic materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Like laminate flooring, they are made up of several layers of material. The core layer provides structure and stability and is usually made of fiberglass.
On top of the core layer is the print layer, which has a printed design or pattern. Like laminate flooring, vinyl flooring can be printed to look like stone or wood. Your print layer can also be a pattern, such as an intricate floral design or checkerboard pattern.
The top layer is the wear layer, which is usually polyurethane. The wear layer protects the floor from scratches, dirt and other damage.
In some cases, vinyl flooring also has a foam padded bottom layer, the bottom layer helps make the vinyl flooring more comfortable to walk on and quieter.
Formats
Vinyl flooring comes in three formats. The most water-resistant option is sheet vinyl. Sheet vinyl is typically 6 to 12 feet wide. Sheet vinyl is usually installed on the floor in one piece. Since sheet vinyl has few, if any, seams, there is much less chance of water seeping under the floor. Sheet vinyl is often ideal for use in areas with high humidity or water, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
Vinyl flooring can also come in tile form. Vinyl tile is water resistant and tends to be easier to care for and clean compared to real tile. It is somewhat less water resistant than sheet vinyl, as there are seams between each of the tiles.
The third type of vinyl flooring is vinyl planks. Vinyl planks are the most similar to laminate flooring, at least in appearance. Luxury vinyl planks often mimic the look of natural materials, such as wood or stone. The shape of the plank also helps to effectively mimic the look of natural materials while still being a fully synthetic material.
Vinyl flooring vs. laminate flooring.
Vinyl flooring:
-100% synthetic
-Best for areas where there is a lot of water such as bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens.
-Easy to clean and care for
-Comes in sheet, tile or plank form.
Laminate flooring:
-Contains a blend of natural and synthetic materials.
Water-resistant, but can be damaged by high humidity, so not ideal for high-use bathrooms or laundry rooms
-Easy to clean
-Can be scratched by heels, pet claws, or furniture if pads or pads are not used
–Comes in tile or plank form