Here’s how to choose the best vinyl floor for your home design.
Choosing vinyl for your flooring can be a difficult decision for any homeowner since you want to make sure you choose something that lasts long and looks good. Consider using luxury vinyl flooring if you’re still deciding on your home flooring.
The word “luxury” can be confusing for most homeowners, since it implies a higher price tag, but the added costs come with good reason.
Compared to standard vinyl floors, luxury vinyl plank flooring or tiles are more durable since they contain more layers of material. You will also find vinyl in a wide range of unique designs and are one of the easiest flooring options to install. By investing in luxury vinyl, you can be sure that you get the best value for your money.
If you are interested in luxury vinyl flooring, the choices may seem overwhelming at first. Check out this guide to help you select the best type for your home.
Check the Wear Layer Thickness
The wear layer is the top layer on a vinyl plank. This is one of the most significant parts to consider since it affects the plank’s cost and durability. Naturally, the thicker the wear layer, the better, but the ideal range depends on where you plan to use the flooring.
Here are the recommendations on what ratings to use:
- 4 mil to 6 mil – Residential use with low traffic
- 8 mil to 12 mil – Residential use with moderate to heavy traffic
- 20 mil and up – Commercial use with heavy traffic
Select the Right Finish
Like other flooring options, luxury vinyl also comes in different types of finishes applied to the top wear layer. This finish enhances durability and provides shine to make your floor more vibrant. Like the wear layer thickness, the right finish depends on how much wear and tear your floor will experience:
- No-wax – This is the most affordable yet least durable choice, making it best for homes with low traffic and exposure to dust and dirt. You need to renew this every two to three years to keep your floor shiny and long-lasting.
- Urethane – Urethane finishes are suitable for places with moderate traffic since they offer good scratch resistance from shoes.
- Enhanced Urethane – Enhanced urethane finishes are the most expensive but also the most durable choices for a finish. They are best for places with heavy traffic since they offer the greatest protection.
Choose the Type of Flooring
There are two main types of luxury vinyl flooring: glue-down and floating. Generally, both are waterproof, easy to maintain, and versatile in design options. However, the differences lie in the application.
Glue-down vinyl flooring is attached using an adhesive to stick the luxury vinyl to your base. Installation can be challenging since you need to ensure the subfloor base is level, but it stays more permanently than the floating type. This makes glue-down vinyl a good choice for places with heavy foot traffic.
On the other hand, floating, or rigid core, vinyl uses a locking or click-together system. All you have to do is attach each luxury vinyl tile to another one, and the tiles will snap into place. Since this type is easy to install, you can do it as a DIY project at home. However, it is not ideal for places with heavy traffic or movement since these can easily detach the tiles from the subfloor.
Think of the Design
One of the best parts about luxury vinyl floors is that they come in many different designs and patterns to transform any space at home. You can even use them as an alternative to other flooring options. For example, the most popular variation would be wood-look vinyl planks, which allow you to achieve the look of a wood floor—minus all the maintenance.
Install Luxury Vinyl Flooring at Home Today
You can plan out your home improvement project now that you know more about choosing the right luxury vinyl flooring. Whether you decide to go with a vinyl tile or plank, Native Tile Design offers a range of flooring options for you to choose from. Contact us at (727) 754-4514 to schedule a free consultation to find the perfect design and install it in your home today.