While most people are familiar with the most common flooring materials, such as residential carpet or hardwood flooring, there still remains confusion about other materials. Today we will be looking at vinyl plank flooring. It falls under the category of soft flooring and has many similarities to laminate flooring, but that doesn’t explain a whole lot.
What to Know About Vinyl Plank Floors
What is Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Vinyl Flooring is a type of flooring material made from a combination of synthetic materials. These include fiberglass and PVC vinyl, and the material itself is usually styled to resemble hardwood flooring or ceramic tiling. There are two main draws to vinyl plank flooring. The first is that the material is almost 100 percent water-resistant, and in some cases, is totally waterproof. The other is the cost. At around $2.50 per square foot, it is one of the cheapest flooring options available. Combine the two together, and you get a durable, effective, and efficient flooring material for a fraction of the cost of something like hardwood flooring, which wouldn’t even give you all of the same benefits. Since it is incredibly resistant to water and moisture, you will not have to worry about one of the biggest concerns: moisture. Moisture is an especially present issue in Nashville, since the humidity wreaks havoc on most floors.
Are There Any Concerns with Vinyl Plank Hardwood Flooring?
Nothing is perfect, unfortunately, so there are some things to be wary of with vinyl plank flooring. Due to the nature of the planks themselves, if one of the planks is damaged it is much more difficult to replace than with something like residential carpet, or even another type of vinyl flooring. The reason is the planks are very long, and the whole plank needs to be replaced. Additionally, Vinyl Plank Flooring cannot be resurfaced or refinished in the same way hardwood flooring and others can be. It severely limits the lifespan of the material, since once it’s finished there’s not really a way to bring it back around.
Where are the Best Places for Vinyl Plank Flooring?
The obvious answer for this question is the bathroom and the kitchen, or anywhere you think there might be a problem with frequent water spills or an excess of moisture. Don't limit yourself to just those areas of the home, though. Vinyl Plank Flooring is much more comfortable than you would imagine, and since it can be style to be virtually identical to hardwood flooring, the whole house is open. Since it is so affordable, Vinyl Plank Flooring is an ideal option for families with a lot of small children or pets, because it will help contain any spills and minimize damage from falls. The material can also be found a thicker variant, meaning you can increase the comfort you will feel under your feet if you want to install the flooring in a main room, like the living room.
Vinyl Plank Flooring is an affordable option that doesn’t skimp on other features. It is the most water-resistant material available on the market and since it can come in a multitude of designs, it’s perfect in almost any room. But, if you aren’t sure about vinyl plank flooring, a talk with one of the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey will leave you with the flooring material you are excited about, so talk to one today!