Vinyl flooring is one of the most common types of flooring. I like to think of it as an intermediate step between hardwood and laminate or linoleum.
Vinyl flooring is completely synthetic. I’m a personal fan of this type. Even though it isn’t “high end” like hardwood or certain tiles, it can look amazing and withstand more beating than traditional hardwood.
Pros
Easy to Install. Vinyl floor is, in my opinion, the easiest flooring to install. Each piece snaps into the other. Some laminate floorings have the same feature. Once snapped together, they form a strong single unit that won’t come apart. Smaller rooms don’t require glue or any fasteners.
Warm. Most vinyl flooring has a foam layer on the bottom. This foam layer adds a good amount of warmth and moisture barrier. You can also easily add extra insulation underneath the planks.
Tolerant. Vinyl flooring can take a beating. If you have dogs, this is the ideal choice.
Long-Lasting. This flooring lasts longer than most other types. Modern types should last 20-25 years.
Variety. Because it’s completely synthetic, these planks can come in any color or pattern your heart desires.
Cons
The biggest con of vinyl is repairs. If you end up with a large gash, there’s not a lot of good options. It is impossible to remove just one plank from the middle. In order to replace one plank, you have to remove all the ones to the side of it and reinstall. Alternatively, you could fill the gash with epoxy, but that’s a difficult process itself.
Maintaining Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain. You can use flooring cleaning or most any bleach-free multipurpose cleaners. Most versions now are waterproof or at least water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about hurting it by mopping or scrubbing.
Fortunately, you don’t have to refinish the floor or take any preventative maintenance besides simply cleaning it. Talk about easy!
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