Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring | Majestic Handyman Ogden

Vinyl flooring is available in tile form or in form of a sheet. Most homeowners will prefer having vinyl flooring for their home because it is cheap but will still offer great value. This flooring material is available in multiple colors, styles, and patterns and your choice will depend on your personal preference.
Though some people will try to install vinyl flooring by themselves, the end results may not be very good. You need a trained vinyl flooring installation contractor as he has more experience when it comes to vinyl and knows the best quality.
To help you decide if vinyl is the right floor material for your home, here are its pros and cons:
Pros

• Softer end result: unlike tiles and wood that will have a rough feeling after completing the installation, a vinyl floor is really smooth. It will be possible to stand on a vinyl floor for a longer time without any discomfort. A child will be safe when playing on a vinyl floor as the likelihood of being hurt is minimal.
• There is a wide variety of colors and designs to choose from: vinyl manufacturers have made vinyl in different colors and designs. When making your purchase, you will choose the color and design that complements your home.

There are vinyl designs that look like stone tiles or wooden planks and unless you look keenly, you wouldn’t tell the difference.

• Vinyl is resistant to dirt or water: unlike other floor types that will only get installed after the previous floor has been demolished, a vinyl floor can be installed on top of an existing floor. Vinyl is also a great flooring material for places where there is high traffic or where the floor has multiple cracks.
• Durable: if the vinyl flooring installation will be carried out by a professional, it will remain in good condition for a long time. Most manufacturers give a warranty of 15 years for their vinyl brands which proves that this is a great flooring material.
• Requires little maintenance: A vinyl floor only needs regular mopping and sweeping to keep it in good condition. This makes it very easy to maintain and keep the house looking good.
• Versatile: unlike wood that cannot be installed in damp places, vinyl can withstand damp conditions. This makes it a perfect choice for your kitchen and bathroom as it will not be damaged by water spills. It will also be possible to install vinyl in your basement as it will not require nailing down.
• Insulation: After a contractor carries out a vinyl flooring installation in your home, you will not have to worry about the cold winter days or the hot summers. The floor in your home will remain warm and cozy regardless of the weather.

With vinyl, you’ll not have to walk on your toes when you get out of bed for fear that the floor is too cold.
Vinyl is noise absorbent as well and this makes it a great choice for playrooms or second stories. When your children are enjoying loud music in their playroom, you will be able to have some quiet time as you watch your favorite program.
Cons

• Less appealing: compared to other flooring materials such as hardwood, a vinyl floor looks less attractive. If you plan to sell your home, installing a vinyl floor will not add any value to the home.
• It can easily get damaged by sharp objects or the moving of furniture: unless you put furniture pads on your furniture, any attempt to move the furniture will damage the vinyl. If the movement of the furniture is intense, the vinyl tile may come off entirely.
• Once you install a vinyl floor, it will not be easy to remove it. This means you’ll be stuck with this type of floor for a long time.
• Not appropriate if a family member has a respiratory complication: when vinyl flooring is installed in your home, it emits chemicals referred to as VOCs. If there is a person who has a respiratory complication in your home, these chemicals will worsen the condition.

You should buy a vinyl brand that has a low VOC content to reduce the risk of worsening the health of your loved ones. Your contractor will help you to choose a vinyl brand that will be safe for your family.

• Accessibility concern: if one of your family members has to use a wheelchair to move around, you have to be careful when installing vinyl flooring. Avoid floating floors as they will likely shift under the weight of the moving wheelchair.

There is also a risk of the wheelchair getting caught in the grooves which may put the safety of the disabled person at risk.
If you will be installing a vinyl floor, glue the vinyl boards to ensure that they remain intact under the weight of the wheelchair.

• Fading: though a vinyl floor will last long without getting damaged, there is a likelihood that it will fade if exposed to sunlight. This will ruin the appearance of your floor, making your home appear older than it actually is.

To prevent fading, you can place a light-blocking covering on your windows. This would be a disadvantage if you love enjoying the sun in the comfort of your home.
Despite the multiple disadvantages of vinyl flooring installation, the benefits of choosing vinyl for your floor win. You will have a great looking home without breaking the bank that will last longer. It will also be possible to choose a color and a design that complements your home as vinyl is available in different colors and styles.
It is important to consult your vinyl installation contractor before buying vinyl for your floor. He knows the best brand that will not pose as a health risk to any member of your family. He will also ensure that he installs the floor in a way that will not put the life of the person using a wheelchair in your home at risk.
If you are working on a tight budget, a vinyl flooring installation is the best choice for you. Your visitors will not be able to tell if you’ve used the expensive hardwood or the affordable vinyl.
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