Trying to decide on the type of flooring for your home or commercial space? Not the easiest task. You enter a showroom, and you’re hit with an overwhelming range of choices that can make you doubt every decision you’ve ever made. Hardwood flooring? Classy but expensive.
Ceramic tile? Gorgeous but cold underfoot and hard to install. Carpet? No, thank you. And then, there are vinyl tiles – beautiful, durable, and affordable. Vinyl flooring has moved beyond the scratched and worn-out floors of your grandmother’s kitchen. The new luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are genuinely impressive and worth a closer look.
What is Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring?
LVT is a multi-layered synthetic flooring that mimics the look of natural materials such as hardwood, stone, ceramic, or marble. It includes multiple layers that work in harmony to create a superior product: a wear layer that provides scratch and stain protection, a high-definition decorative layer that faithfully reproduces natural textures and patterns, a stiff core for strength, and a backing layer that contributes to cushioning and sound absorption.
Why People Are Choosing Vinyl Tiles
Easy and Low-Cost Installation
The number one reason people are switching to vinyl tiles is the simple, low-cost installation. Vinyl tiles are generally available at prices much lower than ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles. And since many options come with easy-to-install click-lock or peel-and-stick features, you can also save on labour costs.
Durability and Water Resistance
However, price is not the only reason why vinyl tile in Canada has become increasingly popular lately. The bigger story is durability. The protective wear layer makes vinyl flooring highly resistant to scratches, dents, and everyday wear, which is perfect for high-traffic areas or homes with pets or children. It is also water-resistant, which means it can be used in areas with moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.
Comfort and Noise Reduction
Comfort is another aspect. LVT features a soft underlayment that provides a cushioned feel underfoot. And, its sound-absorbing properties, which reduce noise transmission between floors, make it especially useful in multi-level houses or apartments.
High-End Look
Aesthetics have really evolved since luxury vinyl tiles were first introduced. Manufacturing techniques these days are so advanced that LVT can actually replicate the grain of rare woods or the veining of Italian marble so well that they may deceive even the most trained eyes. As if that’s not enough, they come in numerous sizes and can be installed in various patterns, allowing for extraordinary design flexibility for even the most extravagant interior design concepts.
Choosing the Best Vinyl Tile
When you have decided that vinyl is the way to go, the next step is to pick a quality product. Here are the things that truly matter:
- Check the wear layer thickness. This is probably the most important specification you need to consider. The wear layer determines its durability against scratches and indentation, so the thicker the wear layer, the higher its performance. For busy areas, try to find materials with a wear layer of 20 mil or above since they resist scratches, marks, and footprints much better.
- Look at the quality of the printed design layer. Higher-quality products will have deeper embossing and a texture that looks more natural. If possible, visit a showroom or ask for samples before you commit.
- Room-by-room approach. Luxury vinyl tiles are perfect for main living areas such as the kitchen, living room, and dining room. For bathrooms and moisture-prone spaces, consider water-resistant vinyl flooring.
- Style and scale. Consider the concept of proportion and match tile size to room size. Also consider how the colour and texture of the tile will work with your existing trim, cabinetry, and walls.
Installation Tips
Vinyl floor tiles are fairly easy to install on your own, as long as you follow a few basic steps:
- Prepare the subfloor: In general, the surface should be as smooth and even as possible. Vinyl is considered a “soft” flooring surface and will reflect all imperfections of the subfloor.
- Check for moisture first: Do not overlook the moisture test; it determines the long-term performance of the floor. Even if you have a water-resistant floor, it will not perform well if it’s placed on a damp subfloor.
- Leave expansion gaps. Expansion gaps at the edges will allow for seasonal temperature changes and prevent buckling.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Yes, it may sound silly, but not following the manufacturer’s advice might void the warranty. Most manufacturers of vinyl tile in Canada give detailed information about what type of adhesive to use, whether an underlayment is necessary, and how long to wait for acclimation.
One more thing worth knowing: vinyl tile flooring can be installed over existing tile or vinyl flooring, as long as it’s smooth and free from defects. That’s a huge time and money-saver if your current floor is in reasonable shape.
How to Clean and Maintain Luxury Vinyl Tile?
Maintenance of LVT is refreshingly simple. Regular sweeping or vacuuming removes dirt and debris that could lead to surface scratching. For routine cleaning, mop it with a pH-neutral cleaner designed for luxury vinyl and avoid using harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbers, or steam mops, which could damage the wear layer.
A Final Word
Vinyl flooring is not a trade-off; it is a real winner for almost any space and budget. It is durable, comfortable, inexpensive, attractive, and easier to install than almost anything else on the market.
