Vinyl Flooring: Is it the Right Choice for You?

Vinyl flooring is really popular and a great material to use to cover your floor. Lots of people choose to use it because it’s water resistant and comes in a wide range of attractive colours and patterns.

Vinyl flooring comes in both tiles and sheets. Tiles are relatively DIY-friendly, which is great if you want flooring that you can fit yourself. Installing sheets are more difficult so are usually best left to a professional.

If you’re thinking about getting vinyl flooring, it’s a good idea to do your research to check that it’s right for you. To help you out, we’ve come up with a list of its pros and cons.

Pros

Durable

A significant advantage to vinyl flooring is that it’s durable. It can withstand heavy foot traffic easily and is suitable for areas with high levels of moisture, like bathrooms. This contrasts with carpet and wooden flooring, which are easily damaged by water.

Quiet

Another benefit to vinyl flooring is that it’s quiet. This is great if you’ve pets or children running around. Unlike wooden or laminate flooring, vinyl will keep your home relatively quiet. Plus, it has more give than harder types of flooring, which means it’s more comfortable to walk on.

Versatile

People also choose vinyl flooring because it’s versatile. It’s available in lots of different colours, patterns and effects so is a great way to coordinate your home.

Cons

Susceptible to damage

A downside to vinyl flooring is that it’s susceptible to damage. Although it’s generally durable, it can get damaged by very heavy objects or high heels. It can also fade when exposed to direct sunlight over long periods and get damaged in extreme temperatures.

Difficult to repair

Another disadvantage to vinyl flooring is that it’s difficult to repair. If it gets ripped or torn then it can’t be refinished – instead you’ll have to replace the whole flooring section.

Not environmentally friendly

Vinyl is also not a great option because it’s not very environmentally friendly. It’s not biodegradable and is almost never recycled so contributes to waste levels. Plus, its manufacturing process means that it releases toxic chemicals after installation, which can lead to respiratory problems.

So vinyl flooring could be a great material to use in your home. If you want to install vinyl and need some help, click ‘Start my project’ and complete our online form. We’ll connect you with up to 4 flooring installers in your area.