If you are considering flooring options for your kitchen, then vinyl flooring offers many advantages over traditional options. Not only is it less expensive but the comfort factor is high as well. Many people think it is better than ceramic or natural stone.
Vinyl flooring is very functional and is just as attractive as other expensive flooring options. The synthetic materials that make up the floor make it low maintenance and therefore more economical. It is easier to clean your vinyl floor as it resists stain, water and moisture. You can look for this floor in different sizes and shapes as there is a wide enough range to choose from. Vinyl flooring looks just as good as wood, ceramic or stone. The fact that this floor is resilient makes it the least likely to break the utensils if they were even dropped frequently on the floor.
What makes people think twice about vinyl flooring is that they are not perceived to add glamor to your home the way their natural counterparts do. It is not advisable to get this floor if your kitchen has large windows that allow considerable sunlight; vinyl flooring has a greater tendency to lose color under such conditions. You cannot put heavy furniture in the kitchen because this floor is likely to be depressed and such an indentation would not be a nice picture. Finally there is also the fact that vinyl flooring is not a long term option; you may have to consider replacing it sooner than ceramic or other natural floor options.
How much does vinyl flooring cost you?
As with any other flooring option, the cost of getting vinyl flooring for the kitchen depends on factors such as its thickness, the maker, and the design. Typically the price is between $1.50 and $5.50 per square foot, making it one of the most economical alternatives available.
You better have a good quality floor for the kitchen if you don’t want to replace the tiles every so often. The material should be durable and even if you move around heavy objects regularly, there should be no damage. The water and stain resistance of vinyl flooring should be high. There are some vinyl options whose color and patterns are not just superficial; these are more long lasting and therefore expensive.
Armstrong, Congoleum and Mannington are the most popular manufacturers of vinyl flooring.
What should you look out for when buying vinyl flooring?
A kitchen blueprint will be very helpful in getting a rough estimate of how much it will cost to get your choice of vinyl flooring.
Having a fair idea of what kind of vinyl flooring is appropriate for your kitchen that makes the room look more spacious makes it easier to choose something. A subtle tone combined with the glossy surface of the vinyl is great as it reflects more light. The reflective light makes the room look bright and spacious. Decor should be a factor while choosing the floor.
You can always talk to an interior designer if you are not too sure about what looks good in your kitchen. You must remember that the atmosphere of the kitchen should be in sync with the other rooms of the house. For the latest trends and more ideas, you can check out interior design magazines and maybe even online forums.
How to install vinyl flooring?
The surface underneath must be prepared until it is smooth to ensure that the vinyl floor lays on it nice and snug. Sometimes, the plywood has to be placed under the floor to ensure that the finish is smooth. This actually increases the floor level which leads to a difference in height between the rooms adjacent to the kitchen. You may also have to replace the doors in the kitchen.
Whether you are installing vinyl tiles or sheets will determine if you can do it yourself or you need a more experienced professional to lay the floor. You can either peel off the back of these sticky tiles or apply some glue on the felt tiles. Then put them on top and you are good to go. If you stick to the guidelines issued by the manufacturer, then you can do the vinyl flooring yourself. It is simple and easy to install. In case you think you can’t handle it, get a professional to do the job.
How do you maintain vinyl flooring?
You only have a vacuum to clean the floor. Alternatively, a wet mop will do as well. Do not use abrasive materials. To reduce the occurrence of stains, remove any spills as soon as you see them. Use floor protectors on large pieces of furniture (cabinets, tables etc) in your kitchen. If you follow the user manual, then you will only improve the life of the vinyl floor; maintenance will also be less cumbersome.
How to get the best price on vinyl flooring?
Amazon and BuildDirect seem to be some of the best places to buy vinyl flooring from (sponsored links). Besides the best prices, their customer-friendly policies make shopping from them a pleasure.
