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Vinyl Flooring & Top Maintenance Tips

Vinyl Flooring Top Maintenance Tips

If you want to know more about vinyl flooring, you’ve come to the right place.

Buying flooring is not an easy process and can confuse customers too much. At Floorset, our main goal is to help you remove these barriers by providing free, credible training and access to an experienced and knowledgeable team of flooring experts.

If you’re looking for new flooring for your home, you’ve must have heard that vinyl flooring is a great choice. Vinyl flooring looks like hardwood at a much lower price. In short, if you are looking for economical flooring that is durable and beautiful, vinyl flooring is a great choice.

What is Vinyl Flooring?

There are three different types of vinyl siding. It is better to know the different types so that you can distinguish between them when buying.

  • Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) – Luxury vinyl planks are better than their non-luxury counterparts due to their higher durability and better appearance. Please note that LVPs are not waterproof.
  • Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) – are very similar to luxury vinyl planks, but the difference is that they are waterproof. And they can be used for environments such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens or any other room in the house.
  • Rock Plastic Composites (SPC) – Also called rigid cores. Their main feature is that they are 100% waterproof and are a good choice for floors that are not flat. Although thinner than WPC, they are more durable because, as the name suggests, they have a higher density, which makes them more resistant to damage.

If we compare vinyl flooring with other options on the market, we will see that they are much cheaper. The use of new technologies in their construction has also made great strides in terms of aesthetics. They are also very durable, easy to install and easy to clean and maintain.

But it is usually the case that when we choose a lower price, another quality is sacrificed. Vinyl flooring is 100% synthetic and industrial. However, the public opinion about it reduces the resale value of the house. It is also not environmentally friendly and some varieties may not be healthy.

Continue reading the article to finally decide if vinyl flooring is the right choice for you.

An important factor: Wear Layer

The most important thing to consider when choosing and searching is the wear layer. Different manufacturers highlight many things to attract customers, such as positive customer reviews, unique coatings. but what matters most is the wear layer.

The wear layer is located between the printed design and the urethane coating. This layer is the deciding factor in how long your flooring will last over time. The higher the wear layer
Is, the greater the durability and stability of the flooring. The wear layer of vinyl flooring is measured in mil, which is equal to one-thousandth of an inch. A mil does not equal a millimeter. Every 40 miles is about 1.0 mm and exactly 39.4 mil is 1 mm.

Simply put, never look at price alone when deciding on flooring. Choose your product carefully because if you go for an inferior vinyl flooring, it may need to be repaired and replaced, which will ultimately increase the overall cost. Besides, it’s not worth the hassle.

Floorset advises you to choose the thickest wear layer you can afford. The wear layer of your vinyl board should be at least 12 mil. If you have a busy family or keep pets, consider at least 20 mil.

Vinyl plank flooring construction

Generally, 4 types of layers are used in the manufacture of vinyl flooring:

1. Wear layer: as mentioned above, the wear layer protects the vinyl flooring from excessive wear, scratches and fading.

2. Printed film: the printed film gives the vinyl flooring a wood-like appearance.

3. Vinyl core: which in turn is divided into the following different types:

  • LVP (Luxury Vinyl Board): also known as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride). Luxury vinyl planks often need to be installed using Glue-down method and require subfloor to be even prior to installation.
  • WPC (Composite Plastic Wood): WPC does not use real wood, but wood flour mixed with thermoplastic carbonates and calcium. This type of flooring is phthalate free and is completely safe and healthy for the home environment. Another feature is that it is 100% waterproof. WPC vinyl planks can be installed in a floating method and do not require gluing or underlayment and are joined together by an interlocking mechanism.
  • SPC (Stone Plastic Composite): this type, like WPC, is completely waterproof. The main difference is in its composite core. SPC has a stone-plastic composite core as opposed to WPC, which has a wood-plastic composite core. No adhesive is required to install this type of vinyl flooring and it can be a floating installation. These boards are referred to as rigid core vinyl boards.
  • Peel and Stick (self-adhesive): Made of vinyl.

4. Backing layer: this layer provides the cushioning that determines the comfort of the floor under the foot. Cork or other sound insulation can be used in this area.

Floorset’s advice to you: which type you choose depends largely on your project. If waterproofing and a comfortable feeling underfoot are most important to you, and you prefer not to make a lot of noise when walking on the floor, we recommend WPC vinyl planks.

If it is important to you that the floor is waterproof, does not scratch and does not dent, we recommend SPC.

Vinyl plank flooring Pros & Cons

vinyl plank Pros

  • In terms of price, vinyl flooring has a similar look to hardwood flooring, but offers a much lower price and more benefits.
  • Many Styles, options and a wide variety of colors and patterns that you can set with different decorations.
  • Most vinyl boards have a prefabricated locking and clicking system. This mechanism holds the pieces of vinyl tiles together like puzzle pieces.
  • Vinyl’s versatility allows it to be used in damp areas of the home without hesitation, unlike wood. Vinyl’s water resistance makes it suitable for installation in environments such as kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Vinyl flooring has a high level of resistance. Resistant to Scratches. In higher quality patterns, the coloring of the planks body is such that it is difficult to detect a scratch.
  • Vinyl flooring is all water and moisture resistant. Some examples, including WPC and SPC, are 100% waterproof. Also note that there is difference between water resistant and waterproof.
  • Due to the cushins used on the underside of the vinyl flooring, this flooring feels comfortable and soft underfoot and absorbs pressure.
  • As mentioned earlier, properties such as insulation and sound absorption are other features of vinyl flooring. Insulated vinyl flooring maintains the same temperature underfoot in the winter as it does in the room.
  • Vinyl flooring maintenance is one of the easiest ways to maintain flooring and does not require much effort. We will be preparing an article on this topic for you shortly.

vinyl plank Cons

  • The emission of volatile gases and chemicals, called VOCs, is one of the weaknesses of vinyl flooring that poses health risks. Look for flooring that uses little VOC and is phthalate free.
  • If someone in your home uses a wheelchair, you may want to reconsider choosing vinyl flooring, as these floors move under the pressure of moving loads.
  • If return on investment is an important factor for you, it is important to know that vinyl flooring often does not increase return on investment.
  • Vinyl flooring does not degrade in the sun and does not lose its cohesion, but its colour does fade.
    One of the main causes of flooring problems is negligence in preparing the flooring. The subfloor should be smooth, clean and free of any moisture.
  • In terms of durability, hardwood flooring is superior to vinyl flooring. This is because it can be sanded and scratched, stained and faded areas can be painted over over time.
  • Vinyl flooring is not a biodegradable material, so it obviously has environmental issues. These floors remain in nature for a long time after they are disposed of.
  • Installing vinyl flooring in homes with large corners and tight areas is a difficult task and requires professionals.
  • Removing vinyl flooring that has been installed by gluing it down is a difficult and time-consuming task.

What you probably didn’t know when you bought a home is that improper care of vinyl flooring can make it look dull and lacklustre.

If you don’t know what to do, don’t worry. In fact, vinyl flooring is one of the easiest types of flooring in terms of maintenance and cleaning.

You can maintain its beauty and shine forever if you follow a few methods and take care of the flooring on a daily basis, and follow a number of tips that are appropriate for your flooring.

Before we look at the different methods and tricks for maintaining and cleaning vinyl flooring, let’s take a quick look at the flooring itself and its properties.

What is Vinyl flooring?

A versatile and new flooring is vinyl flooring, which has gained a lot of popularity and popularity in recent years.

The good durability and stability of this flooring compared to its wooden counterparts has led this new flooring to open the way for building materials and new home renovations.

Today, vinyl floors are a great choice for use in living rooms or bedrooms where hardwood floors are commonly used. The main advantage of vinyl planks is that you can install them in environments like kitchens and bathrooms without worrying about bending and swelling.

A great advantage of vinyl flooring is that it is easy to maintain and clean. Even with small children and pets constantly on the move, you don’t have to worry too much about cleaning your vinyl flooring.

You do need to take steps to ensure that your flooring is properly maintained:

In the first step, you should put a door at the entrance of your house and welcome the guests who come to your house.

In the second step, have a proper routine with your vinyl flooring so that you can continuously perform the methods to maintain the flooring.

Vinyl Floors Daily cleaning

Vinyl Flooring Top Maintenance Tips

You should never allow dust to remain on your flooring on a daily basis, as this risks damaging and deteriorating the surface of the flooring. You may ask yourself, how can just a little bit of dust damage your flooring?

As an answer, we must say that small soil particles have sharp edges that can damage your flooring over time. These fine dust particles can act like sandpaper and gradually wear away the surface of the floor as you walk home in your shoes.

If you want your flooring to never get old and stay perfect, there is a relatively easy and ridiculous option for you.

What you need to clean your vinyl floor on a daily basis is something that everyone probably has in their household: a vacuum or a broom will do just fine.

You should choose one of these two methods for daily floor maintenance and cleaning. And without a doubt, it is better to use products that perform well.

In this section, with a little research, you can find cleaning products that are made specifically for the vinyl flooring you want.

Vinyl Floors Deep cleaning

In the end, it doesn’t matter which method you choose. As long as you stick to your chosen method and use it daily, your vinyl flooring will stay healthy and clean.

If your home’s flooring requires more attention and care than just daily cleaning, after sweeping and vacuuming the dust, provide a bucket and mop to finish the job.

Before you move on to the second step and start cleaning the floor, it is better to do a Google search and find cleaning products that are made just for your flooring.

Important note about steam cleaning: Never use the steam cleaning method to clean your vinyl flooring. Lvp flooring is made with a high strength, and while pvc is water resistant, it is not made for steam resistance. Instead, as we will explain below, a mop or Swiffer will suffice.

A safe and good method for maintaining and protecting vinyl flooring is the following:

When cleaning vinyl flooring weekly, you can clean the floor by adding some dish soap to a bucket of warm water and using a floor cleaner. On the days when you feel that your flooring needs more care and cleaning, just add some white vinegar to your mixture of hot water and soap and restore its shine and beauty.

After cleaning the floor with the prepared mixture, take a clean and damp mop and wipe again all over so that no traces of vinegar and soaps are left on the floor.
Here are some tips on how to choose a mop:

Mops

When buying a mop for cleaning vinyl floors, make sure it does not have an inside scrub brush.If you remember vinyl floor dust, we also talked about how it spoils and erodes the polish of the floor. Using a wet scrub brush on this mixture is like hammering on the finish of your flooring.

It’s better to look for a mop with a microfiber head to avoid scratches and unnecessary wear.

Other maintenance factors

Although these points have little to do with the cleanliness of vinyl flooring, following these tips will increase the durability and longevity of our flooring. So always keep these important points in mind and follow their do’s and don’ts.

Place felt pads under the bases of your furniture to avoid scratching the floor when you move the sofa or stretch it out on the floor.

Don’t use furniture with wheels or casters as they will scratch the floor, unless the furniture is on a large rug.

Contrary to popular belief, flooring is not able to withstand the weigh of heavy household items such as refrigerators and furniture. To move them, it is better to put the plywood on the floor.

Use soft nylon cloths to remove stubborn stains on your flooring. Never use a knife to remove stains as it will scratch and peel the laminate vinyl flooring over time.

Now that we’ve reached the end of the article, you’ve learned that you can maintain the beauty and cleanliness of your vinyl floor as long as you remember and stick to the points above.

Don’t forget your daily cleaning routine and keep dust off your flooring. Also, don’t forget your weekly cleaning routine with your microfiber floor mop.

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