Why you should use vinyl plank flooring for your remodel
When it comes to choosing the floor for your remodel, it can be hard to pick the right style. The color and design of your flooring material can significantly impact the overall look and feel of the space, yet it is often overlooked. Generally, we stick to what we know; wood or carpet.
One of the most popular choices for flooring is wooden boards. However, real wood is not only super expensive, but it just isn't suitable for a busy life. Real wood floors can be easily damaged, spilled liquids can stain and cause long-term problems, and hardwood floors can be scratched by pet claws, small stones, and mud. Hardwood floors can also be costly to lay and replace if damaged.
But that doesn't mean you can't have a wood-style floor in your home. Wood comes in a range of colors with natural grains and textures, which add warmth and style to a room. It's no surprise it's the number one floor choice of flooring material in the world. So, if you don't want to break the bank, but you still want to look and feel of real wooden floors, we have the answer; vinyl planks.
Before you start thinking about cheap, plasticky-feeling vinyl flooring from the 1970s, you should know that vinyl has come a long way since then. Nowadays, high-quality vinyl plank flooring looks clean, sleek, and imitates real wood almost perfectly. Additionally, it also has a whole range of other benefits, making it perhaps the best flooring choice. We've broken down the top reason we vinyl planks and why you should use them in your next remodel.
Cost
One of the most significant factors when it comes to remodeling is the cost of materials. On average, real hardwood flooring costs around $10 per square foot including installation and higher-quality woods can cost even more (something like solid oak flooring can be double this or more!). There is also a considerable amount of effort that goes into installing, cutting, and polishing wooden planks. The same can be said for carpets which are expensive to buy and install. Of course, you can get cheap carpets, but they tend to be low quality, and the fibers pull out quickly, so over time, they really aren't worth it.
By contrast, even high-quality vinyl planks cost half this amount, averaging $5-8 per square foot including installation, meaning you can keep your budget under control. The installation cost and the time taken to install are considerably less when installing vinyl planks which can easily be cut to size. Vinyl can be installed on top of almost any surface so long as it is clean, whereas wooden floors may need additional, pricey prep work before the floor can be laid. Wood floors can expand and contract and generally swell over time, so you need to have an expansion gap added.
Maintenance
When it comes to looking after your flooring, vinyl offers a more life-proof alternative to real wood. Wood floors can be easily damaged by water or moisture in the air and may need to be repaired and refinished (see photos above: the first image is vinyl flooring, the next two are of damaged hardwood, and the last is stained carpet). Repairs or replacements may have a different grain or color as wood is natural and not manufactured, meaning it will be noticeable compared to the surrounding area. Staining hardwoods floors can be a messy situation if not done properly, leaving you to have to repaint your walls. Installation and upkeep of vinyl flooring requires no staining.
Did you know that carpets can contain up to 200,000 different bacteria and germs per square inch? Unless you plan on getting a professional carpet cleaning company in every week, carpet is perhaps the most unhygienic flooring choice there is. Not to mention, a single spill will stain, leaving you with a grubby-looking and potentially smelly floor.
In addition, wood floors often require special care products for polishing and protecting the wood. This takes time and costs even more money. Vinyl floors can be swept, vacuumed, and mopped without fear of damaging the vinyl. You don't need any special products and you don't need to worry about scratching the floor. Vinyl is less likely to sustain obvious damage from running feet, muddy paws, and the occasional accidental spill. All in all, you won't be wincing every time you walk on it for fear of damage. For busy families with a hectic lifestyle, vinyl plank flooring will age much better than wood.
Design
Of course cost and maintenance don't matter if you don't like the design - it doesn't matter how cheap it is. Luckily, Vinyl planks have come a long way from the first basic designs. Nowadays, you can find really high-quality vinyl flooring, which is very close to real wood in a variety of colors. The grains of the wood can be recreated in stunning detail by top-of-the-range dyes. Additional texture is added to give vinyl a real-wood feel underfoot and it creates beautifully realistic shadows.
Because vinyl isn't natural, you can adapt your floor design and color as you wish, giving you more freedom to get it right. You can choose the type of grain, color, and texture of your floor, so it is fully customizable. Once installed, top-quality vinyl planks can look so similar to a real hardwood floor that only a close inspection will tell the difference.
Aside from being cheaper, more durable, and easier to install and maintain, vinyl floors look seriously good. They absorb sound much better than wood floors which can be loud. The vinyl's cushioning and the underlay have a softer approach and can generally feel more homely and welcoming. So, if you like the softer feeling of carpet, vinyl planks are the more hygienic option. They are quieter than hardwoods without the maintenance problems of carpets. If wood-grain or carpet isn’t your thing, vinyl flooring is so versatile that it can even mimic tile! Tile flooring is expensive, cold, difficult to repair, and it’s hard to keep the grout clean. This makes vinyl flooring the best flooring choice for all styles (and your wallet).
Getting it right
If you've decided on going vinyl for your next DIY project, you should definitely consider getting help putting it down. Vinyl can be fantastic, but only if it is smoothly and correctly applied. Some vinyl planks do come with do-it-yourself instructions, but if you want a proper, professional finish, you need to hire someone who knows what they are doing.
With so many benefits to choosing the newest vinyl plank flooring styles, you may well be asking yourself why you haven't made the change before now. Well, it's never too late to start, so for your next remodeling project, pick a floor that will age well, won't scratch, is 100% waterproof, looks great, is easy to clean, and won't break the bank.
Contact us today to get a free quote on vinyl flooring for your next remodel and check out our flooring projects portfolio for some inspiration on why you should go vinyl!
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