Vinyl plank flooring has become an increasingly popular flooring option for homes in recent years. With its versatile styling, durability, and easy maintenance, it’s easy to see why Vinyl Plank Flooring is now one of the top choices for flooring. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key benefits of vinyl plank flooring and why it may be the perfect flooring solution for your home.
Stylish Appearance
One of the best things about Vinyl Plank Flooring is that it comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to perfectly match your interior decor. Vinyl plank floors are designed to closely imitate popular types of flooring, including hardwood, tile, and natural stone. The planks feature photographic layering techniques to replicate the look of real wood or stone with remarkable realism.
From rich, dark walnut to weathered grays, the color options available make it easy to find just the right look you want. Vinyl plank flooring offers homeowners much more flexibility for coordinating with interior colors and furnishings compared to solid hardwood flooring options.
In addition to a range of colors, vinyl plank flooring is available in many different plank sizes and widths. From large planks with an expansive visual to narrow planks for a more traditional parquet flooring look, you can find the right size and shape of planks to match your particular style and space.
Of course, another major advantage of vinyl plank flooring is that it can be designed to replicate wood or stone at a fraction of the cost. For homeowners who want the visual look of premium floors but also need to mind their budget, vinyl plank flooring provides the perfect solution.
Durability for Busy Homes
Let’s face it – life at home can get messy at times. With kids and pets running around, spills in the kitchen, and all the continuous foot traffic through the most lived-in areas, flooring takes a beating. Vinyl Plank Flooring is designed to stand up to all the commotion of daily life.
The planks are constructed using a rigid core product layered with a vinyl surface. This creates a floor that is comfortable underfoot but also dense and durable. Vinyl plank flooring resists scratches, scuffs, and dents much better than many alternatives, including laminate flooring. Its dense construction also minimizes issues with noises or creaking when walking across the floors.
Vinyl plank flooring also has a “no wax, no mess” maintenance requirement. Unlike real hardwood floors, it never needs sanding or refinishing to retain its beauty. The UV-cured vinyl surface simply needs an occasional damp mopping – no waxes or other special cleaning products required. That makes upkeep quick and easy!
Of course, durability extends beyond just standing up to kids and pets. Vinyl plank flooring retains its good looks and resists fading or yellowing when exposed to sunlight over time. Its dense construction also makes it highly resistant to water damage. Spills and messes are no match for this versatile flooring product.
Warmth and Comfort Underfoot
Nothing beats walking across floors that feel warm and soft underfoot. One of vinyl plank flooring’s best assets is the comfort it provides.
The rigid vinyl core of each plank is then layered with a softer durometer vinyl on top. This top layer mimics the feeling of wood while providing traction and warmth. Underfoot, vinyl plank flooring feels very similar to wood flooring but retains more give or flex.
This cushioned construction makes vinyl plank flooring easier on the joints than alternatives like ceramic tile or laminate. The planks have a slight flexibility while retaining their rigidity thanks to the stabilizing core. The result is flooring that has a little “give” while avoiding issues like hollow or noisy spots.
The overall comfort level provided by vinyl plank flooring makes it great for rooms where people spend a lot of time on their feet cooking or playing. Bathrooms also benefit from the cozy warmth of vinyl plank underfoot, especially for homes in colder climates. The extra warmth and softness add to the design versatility of this family-friendly flooring as well.
Moisture and Water Resistance
For kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms prone to spills, vinyl plank flooring provides superior water resistance. The layered construction includes a bottom layer specially formulated to block moisture. This enhances the already dense, non-porous features of vinyl plank flooring to prevent water from penetrating to subfloor layers.
That moisture resistance brings welcome peace of mind in wet areas like bathrooms. Messes and leaks are no match for water-resistant vinyl plank flooring. Just a quick mop up is all that’s needed to keep floors looking great.
Vinyl plank flooring resists damage from moisture exposure far better than products like laminate or engineered hardwoods as well. Permanent discoloration, bubbling, and warp issues are not a concern with vinyl plank flooring. That makes it a smart choice for kitchen areas as well as laundry rooms and mudrooms.
Quick and Easy Installation
Another great perk of vinyl plank flooring is how fast and easy it is to install. For DIY homeowners, floating vinyl plank flooring kits are a user-friendly project requiring just a utility knife, tapping block, and a few other starter tools.
Installation is usually glueless. The planks feature interlocking edges that fit snugly together. Most vinyl plank flooring uses a convenient “drop and lock” connecting system, streamlining the installation process. There’s no messy glue or cumbersome nailing to deal with during the installation process.
Many products also include attached foam underlayments. These provide added comfort and sound insulation while also facilitating the floating installation method. Vinyl plank floors don’t require acclimation to the installed environment either.
That all adds up to flooring that can be installed quickly, often over existing flooring substrates. The convenience and easy learning curve make DIY installation very feasible for handy homeowners. Of course, hiring professional installers for a fast, hassle-free process is also an option. Either way, vinyl plank flooring creates less mess and fuss compared to installing hardwood, ceramic tile or laminate flooring.
Affordable Pricing for Any Budget
One final advantage is the general affordability of vinyl plank flooring. At less than $3 per square foot on average, it showcases looks comparable to solid hardwood costing three times as much. Even compared to more affordable laminate flooring, vinyl plank flooring still comes in at a lower average price point while offering greater durability.
There are vinyl plank options available in just about any price range. Value-focused products provide an attractive flooring look starting at just over $1 per square foot. Higher-end vinyl plank flooring rivals the visuals of premium wood or tile at mid-range pricing. Even the top shelf vinyl plank floors cost significantly less than comparable hardwood.
Add in the DIY-friendly installation and you have flooring that can refresh the look of a home for much less than other options. For homeowners operating on a tight budget but wanting to upgrade floors, vinyl plank is an ideal solution. The range of prices makes coordinating flooring costs with what you can afford easier to achieve.
A Solution for All Rooms and Spaces
Vinyl plank flooring boasts such versatile styling, durability, and ease of installation that it can work wonderfully throughout the home. Many homeowners mix and match colors and plank sizes to create custom looks room by room. Seamlessly flowing vinyl plank flooring creates a unified feel on main living levels.
For example, wide planks with an extra long shape look sharp in spacious living rooms. A gray weathered wood style vinyl plank floor establishes an elegant rustic vibe. In a kitchen, narrower plank sizes in walnut or oak vinyl colors coordinate with cabinetry while providing water resistance.
Down the hall, vinyl plank flooring that mimics natural stone adorns a master bathroom suite. The warmth and cushioning add comfort underfoot. Home offices also benefit from plush vinyl planks under rolling desk chairs. Durable vinyl stands up well to all the shoes and activity in mudrooms and entryways too.
Regardless of the particular room, vinyl plank flooring offers on-trend looks combined with lasting performance. Matching your vinyl plank flooring choices to the style and functional needs of each space is easy and affordable.
The Green Flooring Option
In an age of growing environmental consciousness, vinyl plank flooring makes an eco-friendly choice. Today’s vinyl flooring is now made without harmful phthalates and meets strict environmental standards. It qualifies as a Read List Free flooring product and contributes toward valuable LEED building certification credits.
Most vinyl plank flooring contains recycled content as well. Even at the end of its long useful life, vinyl planks are 100% recyclable. So you can feel good that vinyl flooring environmental impacts are much lower than options like carpeting or even hardwood. Plus, choosing a durable, long-lasting flooring product avoids the waste of frequent flooring replacements.
Bringing It All Together
As you can see, vinyl plank flooring really does bring together an ideal mix of advantages. The look, durability, comfort and budget-friendly features add up to a versatile flooring solution for contemporary homes. Combined with flexible room-by-room styling, vinyl plank flooring allows you to create a custom living space that suits your unique needs and tastes.
If you’ve been considering an update for the outdated floors in your home, Vinyl Plank Flooring deserves a top spot on your list. Before deciding, we always recommend bringing home flooring samples. Seeing the vinyl plank floors in your space under your lighting is the best way to make a final color and style selection.
But for many homeowners, vinyl plank flooring provides that perfect combination of fashion-forward looks, long-wearing performance, comfort and affordability. All with fast, easy installation possibilities. Vinyl plank flooring nails all the must-haves for flooring – giving your home a fresh new foundation for creating lifestyle memories with family and friends for years to come.
