Vinyl offers an efficient, durable flooring material that comes in a huge variety of colors, designs, and styles. It is uniquely suited for busy entryways, kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-moisture locations and it may last as long as the home it is installed in. If you’re looking for a flooring store with great stock, quality advice, spectacular customer service, and an installation team that gets the job done well and on-time, DC Floors has you covered.
Picking Your Floor
When it comes time to pick the material for your floor making the right choice comes down to equal parts personal preference and professional expertise. For vinyl flooring especially you will need to make choices regarding the pattern and design (of which they are many) as well as cost, backing material, thickness, and the way the vinyl is to be installed. These choices center on the following components of every vinyl floor:
- The Wear Layer
- The wear layer protects the surface of the flooring, allowing it to withstand scratches, dents, scuffs, moisture, and stains. Thicker wear layers offer more protection, but are heavier to install and may have higher costs. Keep in mind that increased durability, even if it costs you more up front, can save you money later on vs. a cheaper floor that may need to be replaced sooner.
- Sheet or Tile
- Sheet vinyl is great for large rooms and it comes in rolls measuring 6' or 12' wide. Installing vinyl this way, however, usually requires a few more hands. Tile vinyl is another option and normally comes in twelve inch squares that may feature adhesive backing. Once you cut edge pieces to size installation is straightforward but does require practice and precision.
- Inlaid or Rotogravure
- There are two types of sheet tile: inlaid and rotogravure. Inlaid vinyl sheets feature richer colors with a color pattern that continues all the way through, making them more expensive but also more lasting. Rotogravure vinyl is thinner and cheaper and has a foam base that is printed with ink and covered with a wear layer that may wear down with use.
- Backings
- All vinyl flooring requires a backing, and there are lots of different options, some of which are easier to install or more permanent than others. Felt-backed sheet is the most common and includes a felt layer for strength and cushion. The entire layer, however, must be glued down for it to stick. Loose-lay fiberglass backing also adds strength, and doesn’t require such a strong adhesive. This makes it easy to put down and pull back up for fast installation and replacment, but you do sacrifice some cushion. There are number of other plastic or composite backings available as well.
- Perimeter bonded or Fully-bonded
- Perimeter fully bonded vinyl requires adhesive to be applied to the back of the entire sheet during installation, while perimeter bonded vinyl only needs to be sealed around the edges of the room, making it easier to install but more prone to damage in the center.
Still Not Sure?
Great flooring stores exist to provide you face to face access with professionals who are ready to make sure you fully understand what your project will involve and what it will cost. Call us or contact us online for more information or a free quote.
