Vinyl Floor
Vinyl floor was introduced to the market over a decade ago and remains one of the most popular flooring option today, largely due to its affordability, attractive designs, resiliency, moisture resistance and ease of maintenance.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
Several types of vinyl floors are available on the market, each with its own suitability for every situation.
Sheet Vinyl
Available in large wide rolls (1.8-3.6m), making it easy to install in large rooms. They are usually installed by adhesive and do not add much thickness to the floor.
Vinyl Tiles
Created to look like tiles, having imprints of a variety of designs, from marble look-alike to attractive graphics. They are a popular choice for kitchens, balcony or laundry rooms.
Vinyl Planks
This is the original vinyl floor that is very popular choice amongst homeowners. With appearance and textures similar to hardwood, this allows homeowners and designers to express creativity through a wide choice to complement their design themes.
Rigid Core Vinyl Planks
WPC / SPC floors fall into this category for they are engineered with a rigid core construction, apart from the similar characteristics of the original vinyl floor.
Vinyl Flooring Composition
Each vinyl floor plank normally consists of 5 core components:
Underlayment
It is the reinforced fibreglass pvc base layer that gives a softer feel of the floor, absorbing and reflecting any transmitted sound. This also mitigates subfloor imperfections, helping to stabilise the floor. Besides, it also acts as a barrier to odour and stains from mold and mildew.
Is Vinyl the best option for your home?
Let's look into the benefits of vinyl flooring.
Affordability
Vinyl flooring is now available at prices comparable to / or lower than tiles. With flooring potentially being a big purchase item during home improvement, it is notable to see that vinyl installation is fast and hassle free, without the need for other preparatory works, thus reducing labour costs.
Comfortable Aesthetics
The introduction of vinyl floors has made available choices from the looks of hardwood, cement to rich stones. This allows for much more creativity to blend into interior themes. There is no 'cold' feel of the floor during temperature changes, and besides, it is a soft, flexible material that is perfect for kids to play.
Resilience
The best feature of vinyl flooring is the resilience. The material is one of the most durable, and if installed properly, can last for decades. Under normal usage, stains have no way with the material for the protective layer prevents spills from leaving marks on the flooring. However, even if in any case of damage, replacing vinyl floor is relatively easy.
Easy Maintenance
Vinyl flooring is low in maintenance. Sweeping and mopping are sufficient to keep the floors protected from scratches and scrapes. With the extra fine joint lines of vinyl flooring, you certainly will not need to contend with grout lines dirt and grime. Spilled water and rain splash is also not a problem for vinyl floors as they are water resistant and anti-slip as well.
Cleaning & Maintaining Vinyl Floors
With regular care and cleaning, vinyl floors can withstand daily usage and will stay looking good for years. Here are some tips to keep your floors looking new year after year.
Sweep Regularly
Whether you sweep or vacuum, it is good practice to get rid of dust, dirt and other debris as these can cause scratches on the floor. The faster they are removed, the less wear and tear you will see. If you are using a vacuum, please remember not to use the beater bar when cleaning the vinyl floor.
Wash Floors Regularly
It is recommended to clean the vinyl floors with a micro-fibre wet mop using a PH neutral cleaning agent. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives. Avoid products such as waxes, lotions or conditioners as these can leave a film residue.
Spot Clean
Even though vinyl floors are water resistant and has a tough wear layer, staining and discolouration can still occur with acidic liquids and chemicals. In the event of any such occurrence, clean the surface immediately with a PH neutral cleaning agent.
Prevent Scratches
To prevent scuffs and scrapes, do follow these suggestions.
- Use felt or rubber pads for all appliances and furniture.
- Use entry door mats to prevent dirt from hitting the floor.
