Vinyl Flooring is the Choice for Cost Effective Flooring
The difficulty with the economy today has led homeowners to be extremely cost conscious when undertaking any kind of home renovation project. One way that they can save money without sacrificing too much in terms of design and style is by considering the use of vinyl flooring in their home. This flooring is an ideal choice for basements, laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. New embossing techniques have led companies to now produce vinyl flooring that looks remarkably realistic to real wood flooring, allowing homeowner the option of installing vinyl flooring in any room of the house.
Most consumers will tell you the main thing that attracts them to vinyl flooring over other types of flooring is the cost savings. Hardwood and laminate floors can cost upward of $8 to $10 a square foot whereas tile floors can cost upwards of $10 to $15 a square foot. Vinyl flooring is without a doubt the most cost effective coming in at around $2 to $5 a square foot. In addition, vinyl flooring requires no thinset or fasteners like other products such as ceramic tile or hardwood floors.
Besides the cost of material a homeowner has to consider the installation costs of the flooring product they choose as well. Tile floors are the most labor intensive to install and require the greatest level of skill. Installing a tile floor requires the use of thinset mortar and can be a very messy job for the inexperienced installer. Hardwood floor installations are slightly less complicated than tile flooring but still require a high level of skill to install. For both of these types of flooring it is highly recommended that you hire a professional contractor.
The three most common types of vinyl flooring available are very user friendly to install no matter what type you choose. This flooring is available as individual tiles, interlocking planks, or as rolled sheets. Individual tiles usually have an adhesive backing that was applied at the factory but the use of floor glue is still recommended. Vinyl plank floors use interlocking seams to connect the floor planks together meaning no glue is or nailing is required. Finally, vinyl sheet flooring is installed by applying floor glue and then rolling out the vinyl sheet in the room itself. Since all three types of flooring are relatively easy to install they can be tackled by even a novice handyman.
Vinyl flooring has undergone some radical changes in designs and styles since their inception in the 1960’s. Most people associate vinyl flooring with patterns that are meant to replicate ceramic tile patterns. However, new production techniques have allowed manufacturers the ability to produce vinyl flooring that looks like real wood, right down to the grain pattern and knots found in natural woods. Vinyl wood floors are produced in bamboo, cherry, oak, maple, and walnut, to name a few. Each wood type is available in a number of stain variations to compliment any interior design.
Besides the attractive cost of these floors they are also popular due to their durability and resistance to moisture. Benefits such as these make them the number one choice for flooring in laundry rooms since they are both high traffic and high moisture areas. They’re durability also makes them an ideal choice for entrance hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. Vinyl flooring is also very resilient when it comes to impact damage. Dropping a pot or any other heavy object will cause very little damage to the floor. Maintaining these floors is a snap as well since they only require some soap water and a good mop. In most cases, it’s also extremely easy to replace damage sections thanks in part to the easy installation methods.
Deciding to go through with any home renovation project is one that requires plenty of thought and planning. As homeowners continue to look for cost effective alternatives to tile and wood flooring the use of vinyl flooring will continue to grow in popularity. Their durability coupled with their low cost makes them the ideal choice for homeowners who are looking to save some money on the overall budget for their project.
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