Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl floors are a popular option with home owners, especially in kitchen and bathroom applications. Vinyl floors are a synthetic cousin of linoleum. It is water and stain resistant, versatile and provides good durability for the cost. There have been a number of advances over the years and today’s vinyl floors are attractive and economical. Available in tiles or on sheet, vinyl flooring is used well where high traffic is constant, where a significant amount of moisture is expected or where a clean or static-free environment is desired. It is comfortable under foot and reduces noise (good for those with children or pets) and comes in a broad range of colours and patterns to match every décor, including a variety of lifelike wood grains.

On the other hand, vinyl floors do not stand up well to heavy loads and can be damaged by sharp objects. Colours can fade with exposure to too much direct sunlight and floors can be damaged by extreme temperatures. It is not recommended for outdoor uses.

Vinyl tiles require an extremely smooth surface, because any flaws and imperfections will show through as bumps and indentations in your floor. Usually the best subfloor is a layer of well-sanded plywood.

Most manufacturers do not recommend laying new vinyl over more than one layer of existing vinyl, and in fact will not guarantee the flooring if there is more than one layer of vinyl beneath. Another problem with laying over existing vinyl is that if the lower layer is patterned, the texture will eventually show through your top layer.

Vinyl flooring can be laid on top of concrete, but again, uniformity and smoothness can be a problem. Also, a plywood layer will give you a better feel under foot.

Some manufacturers offer do-it-yourself installation kits, but many homeowners choose to use a contractor in order to achieve a smooth, professional look.

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If you feel a vinyl flooring option will be the best for your home, contact Jim’s Floors and request a visit to assess your needs and provide a quote.

Vinyl Flooring