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The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring Understand what makes vinyl such a viable flooring option—as well as the disadvantages of this popular product—to help you decide whether to install or remove it from your home.
Home Flooring Pros
Vinyl is the most popular form of resilient flooring (a category that also includes linoleum and cork) because it is low-maintenance, water-resistant, cost-effective and long-lasting. It also has the perfect balance of firmness and “give”, meaning it springs a little when you walk on it for a comfortable feel underfoot. And thanks to recent technological advances, today’s vinyl comes in a wide range of beautiful, high-quality finishes.
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But vinyl flooring has its drawbacks. So whether you’re thinking about installing vinyl or wondering what it takes to remove an existing vinyl floor, read on. We’ve laid out the pros and cons of vinyl flooring – from installation to removal – so you can make the right decision for your home.
Developments in the vinyl flooring industry have made the product more DIY friendly. While vinyl was once only available in large and unwieldy sheets, today’s tiles and planks are much easier to install without cutting or hammering. Most luxury brands now offer ‘self-adhesive’ vinyl – simply remove the backing and press onto a properly prepared floor.
Once the adhesive backing of the vinyl hardens on the floor, the adhesive is difficult to remove. Fortunately, vinyl floor removal does not require professional tools or techniques; it’s all about elbow grease.
At $2 to $5 per square foot, including installation, luxury vinyl flooring is a bargain compared to hardwood floors, which can cost $10 per square foot, and carpet, $3 to $5.50 per square foot. The savings continue when you consider that vinyl is cheaper to clean and maintain than other types of flooring. If you’re really on a tight budget, keep in mind that vinyl is the most economical option.
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Despite the broad “luxury vinyl” category, quality varies, even among top brands such as Shaw, Armstrong, Mannington, Lumber Liquidators and Karndean. Focus on thickness and construction to determine quality.
You might be surprised at the striking and unusual patterns and textures you can get with vinyl flooring today. Compelling wood-like finishes include distressed and hand-scraped versions. You’ll find a variety of stone and marble effects (slate and travertine are hot trends for 2019), as well as “grouting” vinyl tiles, which are laid and quoted like their ceramic counterparts.
If the vinyl in your home was manufactured in the 1980s or earlier, it was very likely to contain asbestos, which has been linked to a number of serious diseases, including cancer. If your floors are in good condition (eg no cracks or scratches on the surface), asbestos is probably not being released and you don’t need to worry about health risks. However, if you are considering removing and replacing an old vinyl floor or just want to determine if asbestos is present in your home, you can purchase an asbestos home testing kit or hire a professional to test it. If asbestos is found, you should have a professional remove the toxic floor; under no circumstances break it yourself.
Yes, vinyl is sturdy, but you need to maintain it properly to keep it looking good. To prevent damage, use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas and place protective felt pads or tops on the base of furniture legs. When moving furniture, use sliders or a sheet of plywood.
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To clean vinyl, avoid abrasive scrubs, scouring pads, detergents, waxes, solvents, and ammonia—all agents that can dull and damage the surface. Instead, mop dry or vacuum to remove dust and surface dirt (avoid the “beater bar” vacuum attachment). Deep clean with a homemade solution of one cup of white vinegar mixed with one gallon of hot water, adding a few drops of mineral oil to boost shine, if desired. If you use a commercial cleaner, make sure it’s designed for vinyl floors. Concrete is incredibly hard and strong – no wonder it’s used for streets and driveways! As a flooring material, it has all the strength and durability of a highway. You cannot scratch or scratch a concrete floor.
It can also make a fashion statement. Added paints and etching techniques can transform dull gray concrete into the star attraction of your home. The cost ranges from downright cheap ($2 per square meter) to relatively expensive ($30 per square meter, depending on finishes).
Obviously, concrete is hard. If you’re putting in new concrete floors at grade, weight won’t be an issue. If you want to install concrete over a joist-supported sub-floor, you’ll need a structural engineer to determine if your floor can support the weight. Lightweight concrete can be a solution.
Depending on the look and feel you want to achieve, choose from a variety of textures including troweled, smooth or polished. Concrete can also be stamped (to create a pattern, such as tiles) or scored (shaped with a circular saw).
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Aggregates. Most indoor floors are made of a fine concrete mix, although some incorporate crushed stone or gravel for a rougher surface.
Existing Concrete: The concrete slab already in the home can be enhanced with decorative treatments such as stains and polishing.
Decorative Overlay: Concrete overlays can be installed over certain types of existing hard surface floors to mask damage or provide a fresh new look.
Cleaning exterior concrete floors is different from interior concrete flooring. Here’s how to remove dirt and mold from both surfaces without causing damage.
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Pet friendly? Extremely. This is the gold standard for pet-resistant flooring. Concrete resists scratches from claws, spilled water and animal messes and will not absorb odors. Provide soft mats or pet beds for added comfort.
Base layer. Concrete floors generally require a felt paper level, metal slats and a concrete base coat.
Concrete resists wear and tear and is resistant to fire, stains, water, bacteria and odors. It doesn’t scratch, it’s easy to clean, and the design is customizable. Concrete also contributes to good air quality and can help reduce energy bills when used properly.
Keep in mind, however, that fragile items will likely break if dropped on concrete, and standing on it for long periods of time can be uncomfortable. Cracks can appear over time on high-traffic concrete floors. Concrete floors will need to be resealed regularly and are known to produce an echo effect.
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Concrete typically costs between $2 and $20 per square foot, installed. Installation is generally best left to the professionals.
The durable look of hardwood floors comes in many types and styles to suit different needs and budgets.
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Using epoxy terrazzo flake paint on your garage floor will help prevent stains and damage, and the polished finish will give you that new showroom car look.
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Learn how to stencil a faux patterned rug to add personality to a room or disguise a worn floor.
Ceramic and porcelain tiles have many similarities, but they also have notable differences. Learn the pros and cons of each material to help you decide which is the better choice for your home project.
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Tried this couch with my cat who scratches everything and it’s actually cat proof Mar 6, 2023When you think of hardwood floors, all the pros come to mind! They are easily one of the most beautiful types of flooring that offer a lot of advantages when used in homes and offices. What’s more, no type of flooring exudes the kind of warmth, richness and sense of family that a gorgeous hardwood floor does. So who wouldn’t want to invest in them?
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Well, just like other flooring options, there are pros and cons to choosing hardwood floors for a home or commercial space. In order to make an informed decision, you need to be aware of this crucial information that Simply Maid is sharing with you today! With that, let’s talk about the pros and cons of hardwood flooring.
In addition to stating some of the obvious advantages of investing in wood flooring, we highlight some lesser-known advantages of hardwood flooring and explain why it is a preferred option among so many homeowners. Read more!
With proper care and maintenance, you won’t need to replace or repair your hardwood floor for the rest of your life! In fact, unlike many other materials used in interior design, solid wood floors can last for centuries. However, it is important to learn the proper ways to clean hardwood floors to maintain their luxurious appearance.
They are also an excellent choice as a long-term investment, as well-maintained hardwood floors continue to appreciate in value, increasing the value of your property.
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Finished hardwood requires minimal cleaning, which is both quick and easy to do without the help of a professional. You can either sweep or vacuum the floor to get rid of the dust while mopping with a pH neutral cleaner and a wet mop will remove
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