Flooring is by far one of the most important features of a property. The kind installed can greatly affect the functionality, appearance, and value of any home.

And of the many different types of flooring available in the modern-day market, vinyl is increasingly becoming a popular option for builders and renovating homeowners alike.

Still, however, there are many different options for vinyl flooring out there, so it pays to understand their differences before approaching the market.

Alongside the overall benefits of vinyl flooring, this piece highlights the various options of vinyl flooring, their strengths, and their weaknesses to help you make an informed decision on your next building or renovation project.

Major Benefits of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a type of flooring made from a synthetic material called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is one of the most versatile and affordable flooring options on the market. Besides being easy to install, clean, and maintain, one of the benefits of vinyl flooring is that it comes in a variety of colors and styles that you can choose from to suit your chosen home décor style or theme.

Vinyl floors are also durable and resistant to stains and spills, making them an ideal alternative to carpeting and wooden floors, especially for busy households with children and pets.

Common Types of Vinyl Flooring

There are several types of vinyl flooring on the market today. As seen on a page about vinyl flooring from Empire Today, the three most common types include vinyl plank flooring, vinyl tile flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring.

All these options are designed to create a look and feel that’s almost identical to one made from natural materials like wood, stone, and tile.

Let’s take a look at each of these options below.

1. Vinyl Plank Flooring (VPF)One of the newest trends in the flooring industry is vinyl plank flooring. This type of PVC flooring is made to resemble real wood floors and comes in the form of long narrow strips with four to five layers of PVC material. Besides being easy to install and maintain, vinyl plank flooring is also much more affordable compared to real wood floors, making it a great option for those on a budget.

Since it is quite easy to install and can be used in just about any room, vinyl plank is a popular choice for do-it-yourself homeowners looking to renovate or boost the interior appearance of a home before selling it.

Types of VFP Vinyl plank flooring is available in three major options as follows:

Luxury VPF – Made using several layers of PVC to create a superior, durable, waterproof, and aesthetically appealing floor surface.

Rigid Core VPF – Alongside the features of luxury VPF this option features a rigid composite corner that makes it even more durable for high-traffic areas in the home, from entryways to hallways.

Waterproof VPF – Combining the features of the other options, waterproof VPF comes with additional layers that make it ideal for installation in water-laden areas like the kitchen, the bathroom, and other areas prone to spills and splashes.

2. Vinyl Tile Flooring Vinyl tile floors are fairly durable and easy to care for. Made to resemble the beauty of tile, wood, or natural stone, they are also highly water-resistant and stain-repellent. This makes them great for use in kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, as well as entryways.

Better yet, they are available in a wide range of options, including grouted luxury VTF which offers the look and feel of real stone or wood but is much more durable and easier to maintain.

3. Sheet Vinyl Flooring This vinyl flooring type is made from a single piece (sheet) of vinyl. It is usually installed in a single sheet and can be cut to fit any room. Sheet vinyl flooring is available in a variety of colours and patterns and can be used to create a variety of looks.

Besides being affordable and easy to install and clean, sheet vinyl flooring is also by far the most affordable vinyl flooring option.

On the downside, however, sheet vinyl flooring seems to offer less resistance to scratches, making it less durable compared to tile and plank vinyl flooring options, which can be 5 times thicker.

Vinyl is by far among the most popular flooring options these days, and for several good reasons.