About Vinyl Tile Flooring

Vinyl tiles are an inexpensive alternative to ceramic tiles or wood flooring. Because they are cheaper, come in a wide variety of patterns and colors, are waterproof and are easy to install, vinyl tiles may be ideal for you if you wish to improve a room yourself without straining your budget. Although vinyl flooring won't last as long as other kinds of flooring, it is one of the quickest ways to make an unattractive floor beautiful again.

Types

Some vinyl tiles have adhesive backing, which makes them easy to install, for the average homeowner. Other vinyl tiles, especially higher-end, thicker and more expensive ones, require adhesive.

Tiles are sold in squares or planks and are made of either solid pieces of vinyl, inlaid vinyl or composite vinyl.

Features

Vinyl tile comes in a huge array of patterns and colors, from solids and patterns to faux granite or faux hardwood.
Durability of this flooring depends largely on the type of vinyl used, how thick it is, how seamless it is installed (to prevent moisture accumulation between the tiles) and how much foot traffic it receives.

Composite vinyl is vinyl that has been mixed with other materials. Inlaid vinyl is simply vinyl that contains the color or pattern all the way through the tile, rather than printed on the external surface.

Benefits

Vinyl tile can handle a lot of abuse. It is waterproof, easy to clean and therefore may be a good choice for areas where there is heavy foot traffic or frequent spills such as in bathrooms and kitchens. It is easier to install than ceramic or porcelain tiles and much less expensive. Vinyl tile is also easier to upgrade; you won't necessarily have to remove old tile to put in new vinyl flooring.

Considerations

For high-traffic areas, look for thick, durable, commercial-grade urethane-coated vinyl, which will usually last longer than cheaper vinyl. In addition, choose inlaid vinyl tile as it will retain color patterns longer than printed vinyl. Although fairly durable, vinyl tile can suffer indents from furniture. Protective coverings for the bottom of furniture legs can help prevent this. For the best look and more durability, install these tiles on a smooth floor surface only.

Cost

Vinyl tiles can cost less than a dollar or more than $4 per square foot. Self-adhesive tiles are usually the least expensive. Vinyl tiles that are sometimes called "luxury vinyl tiles" are usually thicker and more durable, but they often require adhesive and are not as easy to install as the cheaper self-adhesive kinds.

Resources

• Vinyl tile at Home Depot
• More about Types of Vinyl Tile
• Cost of Vinyl Tile