What is vinyl plank flooring?
As the name suggests, vinyl plank flooring comes in planks which usually involve a simple click method to slot into place. This is different from sheet vinyl, which comes in a roll and needs trimming down to size. The planks imitate the looks of solid wood floorboards and show the typical characteristics you’d expect of a wooden floor while being a cheaper material that’s easier to care for.
How durable is vinyl plank flooring?
This type of vinyl strip flooring is one of the most durable types of floor. Vinyl planks are very similar to laminate flooring in terms of their appearance and installation. However, they come with the benefits of vinyl, including being more water resistant than any other type of floor and therefore more durable. For example, laminate flooring cannot usually go in a bathroom or kitchen due to the high moisture levels. However vinyl wood planks allow you to achieve a wooden floor in such rooms that will last for a long time.
What should I look for when buying vinyl plank flooring?
The main things to consider when browsing vinyl flooring is the thickness of the planks and of course the finish. A general guide to follow is that the thicker the floor, the more durable it’s likely to be. Thicker vinyl will also add extra insulation to the room. For thickness, try and stick to 4-5mm.
In terms of styles and finishes, there’s plenty to choose from, from light to dark wood effects. Lighter shades such as white, beige and light oak can help create the illusion of a bigger space. This is ideal if the room is on the smaller size and you’d like to create a larger cleaner space. However, if you live with young children or pets and your home is prone to mess or lots of footfall, you might benefit from a dark wood style as this disguises and marks or dirt.
A final thing to consider is whether the flooring is suitable for underfloor heating. Many of our vinyl planks feature this advantage making this type of flooring especially suited to bathrooms, keeping you warm and comfortable all year long.
How to lay vinyl flooring planks
One of the main benefits of vinyl planks is the ease of installation. Follow our steps below for DIY installation.
- Before installing your floor it’s recommended to let the boards acclimatise to their new environment for 24 hours, during this time you can ensure your subfloor is both clean and dry.
- Next start in the corner, laying the floorboards from left to right. The joints of the floor boards should click together without the need of any nails or glue.
- Once all your boards have been added, install the beading around the perimeter of the room, this can be done by nailing it into place.
How to take care of vinyl floor planks
With this type of flooring, not a lot of maintenance is needed, the most important thing is to make sure no dirt or gravel damages your floor. You can do this by adding a doormat by your front door to prevent dirt from getting in. Another thing to consider is adding pads underneath any heavy furniture for example chairs or tables; this will help you avoid any dents or marks.
To keep your vinyl planks clean, simply use a mop and water, a mild cleaning solution isn’t always necessary but will help you achieve a shine.
Call us on 0330 100 00 15 to discuss vinyl plank flooring in more detail.