Key Takeaways
- Vinyl flooring is a budget-friendly option.
- It’s durable, low maintenance and water resistant.
- With proper care, vinyl flooring can last up to 20 years.
- Types include: luxury vinyl tile (LVT), sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and peel-and-stick tile.
- Installation options vary, including glue-down, self-adhesive and floating (click-lock).
What is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is made from several layers of synthetic material that are pressed together to create a durable flooring option. Vinyl flooring has improved in recent years, with more stylish designs available in tile, planks and sheets.
There are numerous benefits to vinyl flooring.
- Easy to install
- Affordable
- Moisture-resistant and/or waterproof flooring (depending on the type)
- Strong and scratch-resistant (so it’s great for homes with kids and pets)
- Easy to clean
Types of Vinyl Flooring
Now it's time to explore the various types of flooring. We'll explain the benefits and installation methods to help you make an informed decision and select the best vinyl flooring option for your home.
Vinyl Tile Flooring
Get the look of marble, travertine or slate tile for a fraction of the cost. Today’s vinyl tile looks and feels like real ceramic or stone tile, but it's a budget-friendly alternative.
Vinyl flooring is either covered in one of two ways:
- A no-wax coating called urethane. It keeps the floors shiny and is good for high-traffic areas, which helps resist scuffs.
- Enhanced urethane holds up to the heaviest traffic and is scratch- and stain-resistant.
Vinyl Tile in Bathrooms
Vinyl tile flooring for bathrooms is a cost-effective option, while also standing up to wear and tear. It's waterproof and won’t peel, crack or swell. Vinyl bathroom tile flooring helps reduce echoes, contaminants and allergens for improved air quality, coming in a wide array of colors and designs.
Vinyl Tile in Kitchens
Vinyl flooring kitchen tiles provide a modern look without undergoing costly renovations. It's not only comfortable underfoot, but vinyl tiles are also easy to clean and maintain.
Vinyl Tile in Living Rooms
When you're selecting flooring, you’ll want something durable that can stand up to heavy foot traffic, accidents and even pets. Vinyl flooring in living rooms is a good fit because it's durable, easy to install, water resistant and budget friendly. There's also a large selection of design options.
Installation
Vinyl tile flooring can be installed over your existing tile or vinyl flooring as long as it’s smooth and free from any defects. New vinyl flooring is a great upgrade and a relatively simple DIY project that can be accomplished in a weekend.
Since vinyl tile is manufactured to exact dimension and is precision cut, replacing damaged tiles down the line is much easier.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Thanks to the built-in acoustic underlayment layer, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is thick and capable of blocking sound. It also feels softer underfoot and provides the most realistic look with all the benefits of vinyl tile. Use it in in the kitchen, living room, dining room, office and more.
Groutable Vinyl Tile
Some varieties of vinyl tile are designed to be laid end to end for a seamless look, while others can be grouted like real tile. Groutable vinyl tile offers a realistic look thanks to the appearance of grout lines. Use it with special vinyl tile grout available in a range of colors.
Vinyl Composition Tile
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is available in many styles and patterns. While it’s typically used in commercial settings, its durability is perfect for high-traffic areas, like a garage, gym or workshop.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Hardwood floors add warmth to a house and give it a cozy look, but it's more costly and requires routine upkeep. If you’re looking for an economical and durable alternative to hardwood floors, go with luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) instead. Vinyl wood flooring mimics the texture and color of hardwood with easier cleanup. Simply sweep and mop with a damp rag and you’re good.
Luxury vinyl plank also comes in various sizes and widths, so you can get the look you’re going for. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is water resistant. Some varieties are even waterproof, unlike traditional hardwood floors. If they're installed correctly, luxury vinyl wood flooring will work in any room. Gaps need to be sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through the floor.
Thanks to the built-in underlayment, luxury vinyl plank is thicker than traditional vinyl plank flooring. It not only feels better underfoot, but it's quieter too.
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring comes in either cut-to-length vinyl flooring rolls of 12-foot-wide by 1-foot-long pieces, or pre-cut 1x1 foot squares.
The adhesive types and methods vary by floor style. Sheet vinyl flooring is water-resistant and ideal for high-moisture areas, like mudrooms, laundry rooms and basements because it can be installed seamlessly. The faux grout lines or wood planks give this type of vinyl flooring a realistic look that instantly transforms any space with minimal effort.
Vinyl Floor Installation
Stability and water resistance make vinyl a good choice for any room in the house. With proper surface preparation, vinyl flooring can be installed over vinyl-specific underlayment, concrete, old ceramic tile, wood or non-cushioned vinyl flooring. Use of vinyl over any other type of underlayment will cause quality issues or void the warranty.
There are three vinyl floor installation options for vinyl tile, vinyl plank flooring or sheet vinyl:
Vinyl tile flooring is more affordable and cost efficient to install than ceramic tile. It’s also less labor-intensive, so the installation is quicker than installing ceramic tile.
When it comes to flooring installation, you want to get it right. If you don’t have the time or skill needed to install it yourself, Lowe's has you covered with our vinyl flooring installation service.
Vinyl Floor Protection
With these tips, you can protect vinyl floors from direct sun exposure, scratches from furniture and accidental spills to keep it looking as good as new.
Cleaning Vinyl Plank Flooring
No-wax surfaces and easy cleanup make vinyl flooring even more appealing. Regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping are all that's needed to keep your vinyl floor looking new. Spills are no problem either. Simply wipe them away with a clean cloth.
Guard Vinyl Flooring Against Sunlight
Direct sunlight can damage or fade your vinyl floor, but this is easily avoidable. Find the areas that get direct sunlight. Close your blinds or curtains to block the sun’s rays in those areas. A well-placed rug or floor mat also protects your floor from fading or discoloration.
Protect Vinyl Flooring From Furniture
Apply furniture pads to couches, chairs, table legs or anything else resting on your vinyl floors. An added layer of protection between your furniture and floor will prevent scratches and keep your vinyl flooring looking brand new.
Let's Get Started
More homeowners are choosing vinyl flooring over other kinds of flooring materials and for good reasons. Vinyl flooring is durable, water-resistant and affordable. It's easy to maintain and well-suited for high-traffic areas. With vinyl flooring, versatility takes center stage with the many styles, colors and patterns from which to choose.
Vinyl flooring is also easy to install, making it a solid project for a do-it-yourselfer (DIYer). Not ready to take on the installation on your own? No worries. Let the pros at Lowe’s handle the installation for you.