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What you should know about vinyl flooring.
Sheet vinyl products have greatly improved over the years in construction, style and maintenance, but they are still susceptible to scratching or denting. Sheet vinyl manufacturers like Armstrong and Mannington offer different levels of vinyl with a variety of patterns to choose from.
Patterns and Construction
Some of the most popular are patterns that are inspired by stone and tile, including patterns that replicate the beauty found in natural materials. There are two basic types of sheet vinyl materials you should know about. "Printed" vinyl is achieved through a process of printing a photographic image on the material and then adding wear layers for protection. Different products offer different levels of wear layers. "Inlaid" vinyl has an altogether different construction. Vinyl with Inlaid color is built from the backing up, and involves the layering of millions of tiny colored granules. This type of vinyl is thicker and stronger making it a wise choice for high traffic areas.
Seams
Sheet vinyl products are produced in 6 foot and 12 foot widths and, like carpet, there may be seams in the layout of your floor. Certain patterns are better than others in hiding seaming. For example, a pattern emulating natural stone with several colors and varying detail will disguise a seam better than a white and beige square pattern.
Finishes
When considering sheet vinyl, note the types of finishes available. Finishes range from high gloss to matte. Generally speaking, the lower the gloss level the more forgiving the floor will be to the daily wear of foot traffic.
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Maintenance
Understanding your lifestyle will make the task of selecting your vinyl that much easier. When trying to determine how durable a vinyl you may need, take into consideration your household's daily activities. For instance, if you are considering vinyl for a laundry room with heavy foot traffic from the garage, select a high quality inlaid vinyl for durability and easy cleaning.
Warranty
When you choose vinyl flooring for your new home, your Design Gallery consultant will provide you with manufacturer's care and warranty information.
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