Most of the modern and innovative trends in the flooring industry are due to vinyl flooring. There is no other type of flooring that offers so many options and design trends at an affordable price. You want to mimic high-end hardwood or stone flooring, get a comfortable underfoot feel, ensure water resistance, and easy maintenance; vinyl flooring is your best friend.
However, just like every flooring type, vinyl flooring has some pros and cons. The engineers haven’t yet invented flooring that has no drawbacks. However, if they ever do, vinyl flooring’s name will be on that list.
Let’s check out the pros and cons of vinyl flooring.
Vinyl Flooring Pros
Durability and Longevity
This is one of the biggest advantages of vinyl flooring. The stated life of vinyl sheet is around 10-20 years, and that of vinyl plank or tile flooring is 15 to 20 years. However, most homeowners mention that vinyl flooring can last up to 30 years if properly maintained.
Vinyl flooring doesn’t last as long as marble (up to 40 years), hardwood (30 to 100 years), or tile floors (75 to 100 years). But when you compare the initial installation and maintenance costs of these 4 types of floors, you realize that vinyl is a much better option. After all, a low cost also means that you can save potentially and utilize this amount on other aspects of building your home or office.
Water Resistance
A common concern while picking flooring is its water and moisture resistance. Vinyl flooring is known for its impeccable water resistance. It is so resistant that you can even have a water balloon fight on it.
Vinyl flooring gets its water resistance properties during its construction. The multiple layers inside the flooring, including a durable wear layer and a rigid core layer, ups the protection factor. Moreover, all the water can be quickly wiped with a simple mop.
All these features make vinyl flooring the best option for places like kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and outdoor terraces.
Variety of Designs and Patterns
There is no shortage of design and patterns when it comes to vinyl flooring. Unlike marble and tile flooring, the options are limitless. There are around 50-60 patterns and colors available in vinyl sheet flooring. The same is the case with luxury vinyl tile and planks. You can mimic high-end and premium hardwood floors, rare marble and granite floors, and costly ceramic tile floors using the different patterns in the realm of vinyl flooring.
By having so many different options, you can completely customize the flooring and bring your dreams to reality. Many people go for different patterns and designs for different rooms of the home to create versatility. Similarly, opting for different designs for various parts of office can create a magical touch.
Easy Maintenance
Maintenance is a critical aspect of every flooring type. No one wants to spend hours cleaning their floors daily. This is where vinyl flooring takes a clear lead. A simple mop cleaning does the trick almost all times. A wet mopping session with some moderate and natural dishwasher or detergent is enough to restore the shine.
Vinyl floors also have the longest interval between every deep polish. Hardwood floors require polishing every few months, marble flooring every 1-3 years, tile floors every 2-4 months, while vinyl flooring needs polishing every 3-10 years or depending on foot traffic.
Moreover, tile and ceramic floors need professional polishing, whereas you can polish vinyl floors yourself without any hassle.
Comfort and Sound Absorption
Carpet is the most comfortable and sound-absorbing flooring. This is the reason you see carpets on walls and floors in movie theaters. But when it comes to large-scale installations and places like hospitals, schools, and retail stores, carpet can’t handle the heavy foot traffic there.
This is why most people resort to the second-best option in the form of vinyl flooring. Some specific types of vinyl flooring, such as luxury tiles and wood plastic composite, have the highest sound absorption features. You can use this flooring for home theaters and kids’ rooms. Commercially, these floors are best for retail stores, hospitals, and educational institutions.
Easy Installation
Homeowners planning to cut overall flooring costs can opt for vinyl tiles because they have a DIY installation. The project is easy but technical to handle, so make sure you gather all the required knowledge and tools before you try your luck. Some vinyl floors come with self-adhesive, making the entire process convenient.
However, care must be taken before installing DIY flooring. The subfloor must be smooth, and it must not have moisture. In case you are not comfortable doing all this yourself, consider hiring a flooring specialist in Dubai.
Cost-Effective Option
All things said, vinyl flooring is a cost-effective and budget-friendly option. A marble or granite floor in Dubai can cost as much as AED 200 to AED 400 per square meter, and tiles start at AED 150 per square meter. On the contrary, vinyl sheet starts as low as AED 70 per square meter, and luxury vinyl tiles range from AED 100 to AED 150. This analysis is enough to support all our arguments. Moreover, it clearly depicts how much you can save if you opt for vinyl flooring in Dubai.
Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring
The list of vinyl floor benefits is exhaustive, but it has some downsides too. Let’s check out some of the cons of installing vinyl flooring so you can easily decide if it is the right option for your space.
Fading/Discoloration
The biggest drawback of vinyl flooring is that it fades over time. Low-quality vinyl flooring specifically has this problem. The main reason behind fading is excessive temperature and heat. This is why many flooring experts recommend against installing vinyl flooring in areas that receive direct sunlight for long periods.
Not Eco-Friendly
Another concern often raised in the flooring world is vinyl flooring’s VOC problem. Vinyl flooring requires the use of toxic chemicals during manufacturing, and these chemicals are released for some time after installation. While this is a big issue, you can opt for low-VOC vinyl flooring. It is commonly available but comes at a higher price point.
Not Biodegradable
Vinyl flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is a plastic that can be recycled, but it takes a lot of effort and cost to recycle it. Further, it can take up to 450 years for PVC to degrade naturally. So, you can imagine where your flooring will end up. For all eco-friendly folks, there are plenty of green flooring options available.
A Low Resale Value
Vinyl flooring doesn’t positively impact the resale value of your property. The reason is that people need new flooring when they buy a property. So, if you plan to sell your home or office after a few years, go for ceramic tile or marble flooring. However, if you want to use the place for the next 15-20 years, vinyl flooring is a great option.
Final Words
We have painted a true picture of vinyl flooring pros and cons. Overall, the pros part is much more substantial than the cons part.
If you are looking for the best vinyl flooring providers in Dubai, reach out to Dubai Flooring Company, DFC and let us guide you for all your flooring needs. Our team of flooring experts is well-versed in providing high-end flooring solutions for both residential and commercial spaces.
