Vinyl Plank Flooring Best Use Cases
By Dana Krizmanic,
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most popular home improvement projects. It is a type of flooring that looks and feels like hardwood but is made of vinyl. It is durable, easy to install, and requires less maintenance than traditional hardwood floors. You can use vinyl plank flooring in residential and commercial settings. It comes in various colors and styles. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are two types of vinyl plank flooring that offer additional benefits such as water resistance, scratch resistance, sound insulation, and more. With its versatility, affordability, and durability, vinyl plank flooring can be an excellent choice for any home improvement project.
Vinyl plank flooring is a viable option for homeowners looking for an easy-to-install, durable, and water-resistant flooring solution. Luxury vinyl is made of waterproof material, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and other rooms prone to moisture. It also has a scratch-resistant surface, which suits high-traffic areas. Where is the Best Place to Use Vinyl Plank Flooring in Your Home?
Kitchen & Mudroom
Kitchens and mudrooms require floors that can withstand immense wear and tear due to gritty shoes, drippy raincoats, and the constant dragging of chairs. For this purpose, these areas need the most hard-wearing surfaces in your home.
Vinyl flooring has come a long way and is more durable than it used to be. However, it is always wise to take the necessary precautions. Adding felt bumpers to kitchen stools can help protect your floor from scratches. It is always a smart idea to buy additional matching planks during installation. This will make it easier to replace any worn-out boards in the future as and when they need replacement. If an area gets particularly damaged, you can quickly remove the plank and install a new one.
Bathroom & Laundry Room
The floors in these areas are not under stress due to intensive foot traffic or long-term exposure to sunlight. Liquid is their biggest enemy - water splashes from baths and showers to overflowing toilets. Common laundry solutions like bleach can also damage the finish of some vinyl flooring.
Vinyl tiles and planks represent a more affordable option in comparison to porcelain tile flooring. They are highly effective for water resistance and can help you avoid expensive flooding repairs. Luxury vinyl tiles and planks provide a realistic aesthetic, with vinyl tiles mimicking stones and vinyl planks resembling wood. Luxury vinyl flooring gives you the freedom and flexibility to design your own pattern, similar to how it would be done with genuine tiles and wood.
Basement
Refreshing a ground-level space into something like a rec room, playroom, in-law suite, wine cellar, or man cave is excellent. However, moisture from the ground can be a concern, especially for those below-grade concrete floors that are often damp and humid. Furthermore, any porous material can absorb water, expand, and buckle if the area floods.
Make sure to choose flooring rated for installation over below-grade concrete and read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. In a basement, the surface needs to be installed as a "floating floor," meaning one that attaches only to itself and not to the subfloor below. This way, the entire surface can shift as moisture and temperature levels change without pieces of the flooring buckling or coming loose.
Luxury vinyl flooring is a viable option for basements due to its waterproof properties. It can handle any moisture, from seepage through the subfloor to flooding from downpours or plumbing issues, making it an ideal choice for these spaces. It has repeatedly proven itself in such scenarios, making it the top choice for basement floors. Luxury vinyl flooring provides an array of style choices, from formal to informal, to ensure you get the atmosphere you desire.
Enclosed Porch or Sunroom
If your porch is located in an area exposed to intense sunlight and rainfall, choosing a flooring material that can withstand such harsh conditions is imperative. Again, watch for concrete subflooring. As mentioned above, a concrete subfloor can make installation difficult.
Vinyl is an ideal option for enclosed porches or sunroom floors due to its capacity to withstand even difficult conditions. Vinyl flooring, especially plank styles that mimic wood, can provide an attractive option. Additionally, quality vinyl is resistant to moisture and ultraviolet rays, such as those in sunlight.
Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for homeowners who want to upgrade the look of their homes without breaking the bank. It is durable, easy to install and maintain, and comes in various styles, colors, and textures. Vinyl plank flooring is ideal for high-traffic areas. It's also a smart choice for areas prone to moisture because vinyl's waterproof nature makes it an excellent option for these types of spaces. With proper installation and maintenance, vinyl plank flooring can last many years while still looking gorgeous!