About Sheet-Vinyl Flooring

There is excitement underfoot, and it is vinyl sheet flooring. What look do you want? Ceramic, hardwood, slate? No doubt you can find it in sheet vinyl.The array of designs and colors is remarkable. That's because new technology has made state of the art printing and embossing possible.
Not only can vinyl successfully mimic the feel, look and texture of natural materials, it also lends itself to graphic designs in contemporary, country, traditional, and old world styles.

Benefits

Of course, good looks aren't the only thing vinyl sheet has going for it. Another benefit is that it requires minimum upkeep and is cushy enough to be easy on backs and knees. Its resilience means that spills and dropped objects rarely cause permanent damage. Vinyl is warmer underfoot than tile and stone, and unlike vinyl tiles it has fewer seams. Also, it's more water resistant than laminates and woods. It is also the least expensive flooring choice you can make.

Features

Vinyl sheet flooring is sold in varying widths and features one of two backing materials. Felt backing is often used. It is found in over 90 percent of vinyl sheet floors. Fiberglass is also used sometimes. Fiberglass is a newer format in construction, and it is even more cushion-like than other forms of vinyl.

All vinyl flooring is made from layers. A top coat is used for easy cleaning. This coat also helps with scratch and scuff resistance. A clear vinyl layer is next. It's meant to protect against gouges and tears. It adds durability and helps the floor keep its good looks. This layers should be thick. A printed design layer is next. It's printed in the rotogravure process to achieve a highly realistic range of designs, patterns and textures. The felt layer on the bottom is what adheres to the floor. If the bottom layer is structured with fiberglass, this allows it to lay flat and be installed without glue.

Types

Visually, there are two types of sheet vinyl flooring. One is low gloss and textured, to replicate the beauty found in materials that are natural, such as tile, stone and wood. More recently, the natural look has come to include bamboo and even concrete. New texturing methods in the manufacturing process add to the realistic look.

The other look in vinyl floors is high gloss and polished, for a stylish classic look in shiny marble, ceramic tile or granite.

The top ten brands in vinyl flooring are: Armstrong Flooring, Mannington Flooring, Tarkett Flooring, Congoleum Flooring, Stainmaster, Nafco Flooring, Amtico Flooring, Flexitec Flooring, and Traffic Master Vinyl. These household name manufacturers make sheet vinyl floors for all kinds of budgets and tastes.They typically have invested a great deal in research and development, to make their flooring more comfortable, durable, cleanable, and beautiful. You have more choices than ever. You should evaluate all of them.

Considerations

Vinyl is waterproof, but the adhesive that makes it adhere to the sub floor is not. In fact, the adhesive is water soluble. The floor should not have sustained contact with water, especially around the edges or near the seams. Vinyl is not a good choice for stairs, but it is excellent for flat surfaces.

Expert Insight

If your present vinyl flooring has become damaged, you can choose to repair or replace it. Make the choice based on these factors. If the damage is to only one section--and the manufacturer still produces the vinyl in the same color and style--consider repair. If there is wear and tear over a large area of the flooring, you will need to replace it. Your goal is to have repairs be invisible. The floor should appear undamaged. Nothing looks worse than mismatched patches of flooring.

Resources

• Links to Vinyl Manufacturers
• Comparing Vinyl and Tile
• Order Samples Online