Luxury vinyl flooring has become an increasingly popular alternative for the modern home, simply because it has plenty of qualities that many homeowners are looking for. One of its most well-known properties is its resistance to water, and this has made it a viable alternative for any homeowner looking for flooring for their bathroom, kitchen, cellar, and other damp rooms. But what do you really know about luxury vinyl flooring, and what makes it a great material for your floors? Here’s everything you need to know about luxury vinyl flooring and its many great properties.
A safer choice
Not many may know this, but luxury vinyl flooring is actually a safer choice compared to other types of flooring. It’s safe in terms of air quality – in some studies, it has been shown that vinyl flooring (especially the high-quality kind) does not have any adverse impact on the quality of the air indoors, particularly when it is installed following the instructions and recommendations of the manufacturer. Whatever is emitted by the flooring dissipates quickly when a room is properly ventilated. And since it’s softer than real wood, it’s safer for children and pets as well – and it’s more comfortable underfoot.
Environmental friendliness
Another quality exhibited by luxury vinyl flooring is its environmental-friendliness. Although some vinyl products may not be particularly environmentally-friendly, there are some that perform quite well when it comes to aspects such as thermal insulation, energy efficiency, a low contribution to global warming and greenhouse gases, and material durability (producing it doesn’t require too many resources).
Easy, low-cost maintenance
Vinyl flooring is undoubtedly much easier to clean than natural wooden flooring or even tile or stone. Since it’s water-resistant and dust-resistant, all you need to do is sweep the floor, wipe it with a damp, soft cloth or mop it with water, and you’re good to go. What’s more, good quality luxury vinyl flooring is designed not to chip, delaminate, or discolour. In fact, some homeowners who have used it in their conservatories have noticed that it doesn’t easily become discoloured even with the sun shining on it every day.
Resilience
Another quality which makes luxury vinyl more resilient than most is its ability not to take in moisture from the atmosphere. This basically means that it doesn’t expand when it’s humid, and it doesn’t shrink during the drier, colder seasons. It’s a stable type of flooring which can last for a good long time with hardly any maintenance.
Water resistance
As mentioned, vinyl flooring is known for its resistance to water. But it’s amazing how it can really resist spills – you have to see it for yourself. This makes it a popular choice for areas with more moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms, and cellars.