What’s the Difference Between Vinyl Flooring vs Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank?
If you’re ready for a kitchen renovation project, you’re no doubt shopping for a variety of items for your remodel. Flooring is probably one of those.
Choosing the right flooring can be a bit of a chore. There are so many options and it’s difficult to figure out which is best for your home. Usually, you’ll need to consider how your kitchen is used, whether there’s lots of traffic in and out, and what complements the rest of the elements you’ve chosen, like cabinets, countertops, and more.
Maybe you’ve heard the term “luxury vinyl flooring” and wonder how it differs from traditional vinyl flooring. If vinyl is something you’re considering, you should certainly learn the difference between the two before you make a final decision.
Traditional vinyl floors
There’s a good chance you’ve lived in a home with a sheet vinyl floor. Maybe it’s the home you grew up in. Vinyl floors have long been popular and remain as such for several reasons. However, there are some caveats as well. Here are some pros and cons.
- Vinyl floors are available in a huge variety of colors and patterns. You won’t have any difficulty finding something to match your kitchen and/or that complements the rest of your home.
- Sheet vinyl, the kind that is laid all in one piece, is quite budget friendly. Generally, you’ll find it for about $3 to $5 per square foot plus the cost of installation. That’s ideal for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on their flooring or just needs a quick fix before selling their home.
- Traditional sheet vinyl floors are easy to maintain and they can last up to 20 years with proper care.
It is important to recognize, however, that sheet vinyl floors can tear easily when you’re not careful. Sliding a table or chairs across the floor or moving an appliance can cause major damage. Dropping a knife or other sharp object can cause gouges in the floor, or pets with long, sharp nails can do damage as well. So, in the category of “you get what you pay for”, it’s clear to see that traditional vinyl flooring might not hold up as well as some other options that it might be right for some budgets.
Luxury vinyl floors – tiles or planks
So-called luxury vinyl flooring might be a better choice for your kitchen renovation. Like traditional sheet vinyl, luxury tiles or planks are made up of layers, but one of the layers in a luxury product is a rigid core. This core allows for more durability and the lifespan of the floor will be longer.
- Luxury vinyl planks generally range from 4” x 48” up to 9” x 72” with many sizes in between. These look like hardwood but are a fraction of the cost of the real thing. As such they’ve become quite a popular choice for a kitchen renovation with a budget in mind.
- Also popular in the luxury vinyl flooring realm is the vinyl tile, ranging in size from 16” x 16” to 18” x 36”, again with many sizes in between. They’re available in a huge variety of styles and colors and, again, are less expensive than ceramic or other tile materials.
- Luxury vinyl floors can be installed over an existing floor. Conversely, traditional vinyl sheet flooring may require a new subfloor because the sheet flooring must be installed on a very flat, smooth surface.
- Luxury vinyl flooring looks very realistic. Truly, it’s often hard to tell the difference between a real hardwood floor and a luxury vinyl wood-look floor. This means you’re getting a similar visual for just a small portion of the cost of hardwood. Installation is also easier.
Depending on your needs, either sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl tiles or planks may work for your kitchen. Consult with your Mr. Cabinet Care professional about your kitchen renovation project, offering information about the size of your space, the style of your kitchen, whether you plan to sell soon, and other particulars. He/she can help you determine which materials will work best for you and which will give you the most for your kitchen renovation dollars. Visit us at www.mrcabinetcare.com.