Vinyl flooring can be very tricky. After all, there are so many types of vinyl flooring, from LVP to sheets. That can be a lot of information and research to wade through. Fortunately for you, we can help!
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By now, you probably know a thing or two about vinyl flooring, but there are still a few pressing questions on your mind. Guess what? We know the answers. We&#;ve compiled our most common questions to help make your shopping experience easier.
Let&#;s take a look!
The Basics: What is Vinyl Flooring?
There are so many kinds of vinyl flooring: waterproof, peel and stick, sheet vinyl, and then all those acronyms. LVF, SPC, WPC. It can start to look like a jumble of alphabet soup. Let&#;s start with the basics so you know more about your options.
What is the difference between WPC, LVF, and SPC flooring?
WPC vinyl
This technically translates to wood-plastic composite vinyl flooring. However, many people also use the acronym to stand for waterproof core vinyl flooring. Both meanings are correct. WPC vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof, and its core is made from a composite of plastic and wood. In the flooring industry, it's referred to as engineered vinyl flooring. WPC is recommended for residential use since it is softer underfoot.
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SPC vinyl
SPC stands for stone-plastic composite or stone-polymer composite. Both of these terms are used interchangeably. SPC is also sometimes referred to as Rigid Core luxury vinyl flooring. That&#;s because the stone-plastic composite core in this luxury vinyl is ultra-dense. Like WPC, SPC is 100% waterproof and is also called engineered vinyl flooring within the industry. SPC is great for both residential and commercial use.
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LVF vinyl
This is the acronym for luxury vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl flooring is sort of the umbrella term that often encompasses WPC and SPC. LVF can also refer to vinyl that is not waterproof or rigid core, but that has a higher-quality visual, and usually a basic glue down or a lock installation mechanism.
What is LVP flooring?
LVP stands for luxury vinyl planks. These planks are made to be very durable, able to withstand high traffic, kids, and pets. Standard LVP consists of a vinyl core with a printed surface layer. It might have an attached underlayment, though not always, and it can either be glued down or floated with a locking mechanism. Some LVP is waterproof, with WPC or SPC cores.
Though there isn&#;t a defined industry standard for what &#;luxury&#; flooring is, you should expect top-notch visuals (typically wood-look), and a thick wear layer to protect the surface from wear and tear.
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LVT is another word for luxury vinyl tiles. Like vinyl planks, you should expect the best of the best out of LVT flooring. Luxury vinyl tiles can stand up to the challenges of a busy home with pets and lots of traffic.
Luxury tiles are very durable and stylish, with high-quality, stone-look visuals, and even some realistic textures in some cases. More high-end LVT products will feature waterproof cores, attached underlayment, and a thick wear layer, though you won&#;t see these features with every single product.
What is the difference between LVP and LVT?
LVP is the acronym for luxury vinyl planks. LVP refers to the specific shape of the vinyl flooring shape &#; a plank. Luxury vinyl plank flooring often features a wood-look image and the plank format helps sell the look.
LVT is the acronym for luxury vinyl tiles. Luxury vinyl tiles often feature a stone-look image and mimic natural stone flooring. Like LVP, LVT refers to the specific shape of the vinyl flooring-- tile. These can come in different sizes but tend to keep the standard tile shape.
What is vinyl sheet flooring?
Sheet vinyl is a multi-layer, durable flooring that&#;s easy to install and easy to clean. A vinyl sheet features a wear layer and a wear layer to protect it from scuffs and scratches, much like vinyl planks and tiles.
Vinyl sheets used to have a reputation for being &#;low-quality,&#; but those days are long gone. Popular sheet vinyl is made of quality materials and contains a fiberglass layer that lays the sheet flat and keeps it from curling. This fiberglass layer also allows sheet vinyl to be loose laid or installed using double-sided adhesive tape, instead of a more labor-intensive glue down installation.
Luxury vinyl sheets come with a huge range of stylish looks, including realist wood and looks, and more contemporary decorative surfaces. The best part? You get all of these benefits at an affordable price.
Are vinyl flooring and linoleum the same?
Vinyl and linoleum flooring are actually very different! At one time the only vinyl anybody knew about was sheet vinyl, which has an appearance fairly similar to linoleum. Because of this, a lot of people confuse the two. Here are the main differences between linoleum and sheet vinyl.
Linoleum:
Made of natural materials
Anti-microbial
Anti-static properties
Needs to be sealed every year
Requires a professional installation
Luxury Vinyl Flooring:
Made of durable PVC
Protective wear layer
Backing options for fiberglass, foam, or felt
DIY-friendly installation
Virtually no maintenance
Use and Durability
When you&#;re purchasing your next home flooring, you probably want to make sure it can hold up to the wear and tear of your home. Here, we answer a few of your most important questions about vinyl flooring.
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While some vinyl products do have a scratch-resistant surface, no vinyl flooring is 100% scratch proof. Over time, scratches may occur. We recommend trying to keep the dog's nails trimmed to help lessen the number of scratches.
You can put heavy appliances on vinyl tiles and planks as long as you use furniture pads or sliders under them. However, you should not install heavy appliances over loose laid sheet vinyl, because this could cause a pinch point and damage the floor.
For furniture, you should use felt furniture pads under the legs to prevent scratching the flooring. Never use rubber, as rubber can stain vinyl flooring.
You can also put most vinyl flooring under kitchen cabinets and appliances, but it&#;s a good idea to glue down those sections.
Even though vinyl flooring has a tough wear layer, it&#;s a good idea to use a mat under desk chairs. Over time, rolling desk chairs might cause some wear and tear. It&#;s better to be safe than sorry!
All vinyl flooring can be installed in basements, though some options will be more difficult to install. For example, a vinyl sheet that needs to be glued down will take more effort than a click-lock vinyl plank. You&#;ll need to make sure the cement subfloor is completely level, or thin flooring like sheet vinyl could show the imperfections through the surface and actually become damaged over time.
DIY-friendly waterproof vinyl flooring, like TritonCORE Pro, is a great option in basements. It can generally be installed in moisture-prone areas and even over uneven subfloors. If you&#;re installing waterproof vinyl flooring over basement concrete, we recommend adding a vapor barrier underneath.
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Even if using waterproof vinyl flooring, we do not recommend vinyl flooring for outside or semi-outdoor areas. UV rays can cause fading and weather can damage the flooring over time. Using vinyl flooring outside may also void the manufacturer&#;s warranty. For these reasons, stick to using vinyl flooring indoors.
Some vinyl flooring like TritonCORE Pro will not expand and contract like other flooring types unless under extreme conditions. It is recommended to leave a small expansion gap around the perimeter for such extreme conditions, but the likelihood of expansion is very small. Not even flooding will cause waterproof vinyl flooring to expand. In fact, we tested this to prove our point:
That being said, other luxury vinyl flooring without a waterproof core, or a rigid core, will expand and contract.
Installation
These days, being able to DIY install your flooring is a huge plus. With easy-to-install flooring, you don&#;t have to spend money hiring a contractor. Thankfully, installing vinyl flooring doesn&#;t have to be difficult or scary. Here are a few answers to your installation questions.
Related Content >>How to Install Vinyl Flooring
Most luxury vinyl planks and tiles use a tongue and groove lock system. This is also known as click-lock flooring, and it&#;s easy to install on your own. There&#;s no tape, glue, or professional needed! When you install luxury vinyl this way, it&#;s called a floating floor, because it&#;s &#;floating&#; over your subfloor.
Here is how to install interlocking vinyl flooring on your own. These tips apply to both planks and tiles:
Start in a corner of the room, working from left to right. Set down the first plank (or tile), using spacers to maintain a 3/8&#; gap between the plank floor and the wall. This gives the floor enough room to expand and contract with temperature changes.
Complete the first row. Insert the tongue of the second plank at an angle into the groove of the first. Once they click together, lower the second plank until flat. Use a tapping block and rubber mallet to gently tap the planks into a locked position.
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Continue until the first row is finished. When you come up to the wall and need to cut a plank, measure the plank, and cut it using a utility knife or a tile cutter.
Begin the next row with the leftover cut end, as long as it&#;s at least 6&#; long. This will create a more natural staggered look.
Set the plank into the previous row at a slight angle to ensure that it slides into place and interlocks correctly.
Continue working across the room, ensuring that the planks are interlocked tightly. Use spacers every few feet around the edges of the flooring and remove them when the installation is complete.
Fiberglass vinyl sheets can be installed with the loose lay method, meaning the sheet doesn&#;t need to be glued down. It&#;s incredibly DIY-friendly, and is best if you want temporary flooring, or are installing in a low traffic area.
Follow these steps to loose lay your new vinyl sheet in no-time:
Unroll the sheet, and line up the seams if you have multiple sheets. Ensure the sheet is square to the room and not crooked.
Let the sheet acclimate to the temperature and humidity for at least a day before cutting it.
Cut around walls and obstructions using a utility knife. Leave a 1/8&#; - 1/4&#; gap to prevent any bunching up or pinching if the sheet expands with temperature changes.
If you want some extra stability, you can apply double-sided tape around the perimeter and under seams.
Please note: With this install method, there can only be one major seam. Larger spaces that require more than two sheets will need to have the sheets glued down.
This installation isn&#;t designed for high-traffic areas. You should glue down sheet vinyl for applications in commercial areas where you will expect a ton of traffic.
There are a couple of different methods for cutting luxury vinyl flooring, depending on the type.
How to cut vinyl plank flooring:
LVP or WPC vinyl flooring can be cut by hand using a sharp utility knife; simply score the vinyl flooring and snap it apart for a clean break. SPC Vinyl flooring can be cut using a power saw, or even a tile cutter. The choice is up to you!
How to cut vinyl sheet flooring:
The best way to cut a vinyl sheet is to use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to guide you. Cut the sheet to fit the edges of the room as well as around any obstacles like columns, leaving a 1/8&#; - 1/4&#; expansion gap. Before making any cuts, ensure that the sheet is square to the room. A crooked or skewed pattern would ruin the look of your new floor.
When installing vinyl planks, you should orient the length of the planks to parallel the longest walls in the room. This will make the space feel larger. If you have a square-shaped room, lay the planks out so the length follows the flow of traffic.
Yes, most vinyl planks and tiles can be installed over radiant heat. However, it&#;s a good idea to check manufacturer instructions before doing so.
Vinyl plank flooring cannot be installed over any high pile carpet. The &#;squish&#; of a plush carpet will prevent vinyl planks from locking properly. However, if the carpet is a tight, low pile style, then thicker, tighter locking, vinyl planks may be suitable for installation.
Some people have had success installing vinyl plank flooring by placing plywood over carpet. However, it&#;s always best to check manufacturer guidelines for these types of installations.
Vinyl plank flooring with attached underlayments, such as TritonCORE Pro or other luxury products, can be installed over existing tile flooring surfaces, provided that there are no major imperfections. Thinner sheet vinyl flooring is not recommended over tile, as telegraphing (an imprint from the subfloor on the main floor) may occur. Be sure to double-check with the manufacturer recommendations to be certain.
If you&#;re installing over a concrete subfloor, a vapor barrier should be used. Vapor barriers should also be used when installing in moisture-prone areas. Be sure to double-check with the manufacturer recommendations to be certain.
Some products have an underlayment attached, so you will not need to purchase additional underlayment with those products. At most, a vapor barrier will be needed in those installations.
Typically, if there is no attached underlayment, you should purchase one. Underlayment has sound dampening properties, protects your subfloor and flooring, and makes your vinyl flooring softer underfoot. Cork and foam popular choices for vinyl flooring, because rubber will cause staining.
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Cleaning and Maintenance
Homes get dirty; it&#;s just a fact. It&#;s a no-brainer to want to know all the details about cleaning vinyl flooring. We&#;ll answer those questions here.
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The good news is, vinyl flooring is virtually maintenance-free. It&#;s so easy to clean and take care of, you won&#;t dread doing chores.
To clean your vinyl floors, be sure to vacuum up any dust, dirt, or debris. It&#;s best to use a vacuum without a beater bar for this.
You can also use a damp mop to keep your vinyl flooring clean. Be sure to clean up any spills immediately to prevent damage to your flooring.
That&#;s all it takes for clean floors!
How do I keep my gray vinyl flooring streak-free after cleaning?
Gray vinyl flooring tends to show streaks on the surface after you clean it, but you don&#;t have to settle for streaks. To get a streak-free, clean vinyl floor, use Bona's Hard Surface Cleaner. This product features a rinse-free, streak-free formula that will save you the frustration of a less-than-perfect-finish on your floor.
To keep your vinyl flooring looking its best, we have a few tips:
Use felt pads under chairs and furniture legs to prevent scratching of the flooring surface.
Place doormats at all entrances to prevent tracked in dirt, rocks, moisture, and other debris.
Avoid using rubber-backed mats as they can stain the flooring surface over time.
With these tips, your vinyl flooring will look great for years!
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Conclusion
There&#;s a lot to learn about vinyl flooring before you&#;ll feel entirely confident in making a purchase. Hopefully, this guide answered your questions and set you on the right path to find exactly what you want. If you still want to know more, our flooring pros are just a call or click away!
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Picture this: screaming fans, a championship team, cheerleaders on the sidelines, squeaking shoes, and a buzzer-beater win. That&#;s the picture of happiness for players, their families, and their fans in basketball arenas across the country. But it&#;s the setting that really brings the image to life, and the sports floor your team competes on is where the action happens.
No doubt your team&#;s basketball court is the heart of your gym, but choosing the right flooring can be difficult. You may have many questions, from what materials we use to how we design the floors, and the team at Sports Floors, Inc. is here to answer all of them. Keep reading to learn all the answers to sports floor FAQs so you can fill the gymnasium and capture that championship image for your team.
The answer is simple: maple. Maple has long been the gold standard for sports flooring, particularly in basketball and volleyball courts, and there are several reasons for this preference.
Maple&#;s natural hardness and strength make it highly durable, capable of withstanding the high-impact activities common in sports. Its uniform surface provides consistent ball bounce, improving precision for fast-paced sports where it really counts.
Aesthetically speaking, maple&#;s light, warm color enhances the look and feel of the sports facility and provides excellent contrast with game lines and markings. This contrast improves visibility for players and spectators alike. Maple is also a sustainable and renewable resource, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
At Sports Floors, Inc., we follow the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) guidelines. The MFMA has long set the standards for maple flooring. They provide rules on everything from selecting and grading raw materials to installing and maintaining the finished floor. By following these guidelines, we make sure our clients receive the highest quality flooring that is durable, safe, and optimized for athletic performance.
Although most of us usually think of basketball courts when we think of sports floors, there are many reasons you might install a new court. Sports Floors, Inc. has installed new flooring for permanent floors, portable floors, dance floors, stages, and more. So when it comes to choosing the right flooring for your needs, you should consider the following.
Use: The first step is to know the type of sport or activity the floor will be used for. Different sports have different requirements for traction, shock absorption, and ball bounce. Understanding these requirements will help us pair you with the right flooring for your needs.
Activity Level: A floor in a high-traffic area or a competitive sports facility will need to be more durable than one in a low-traffic or recreational setting. That being said, this factor is critical to the type of floor you&#;ll want to install.
Maintenance Capability: Some floors require more frequent or specialized maintenance than others. Consider your maintenance resources when choosing a new sports floor.
Budget: Your financial resources will also play a role in your decision. While initial costs are important, you should factor in the long-term costs of maintenance, repair, and eventual replacement before choosing your sports floor.
Installing a sports floor is a meticulous process requiring specialized knowledge and skills. It begins with a thorough site evaluation to ensure it is ready for installation. This evaluation includes checking the flatness of the substrate, the moisture content, and the overall condition of the area.
Next, your chosen flooring material is acclimated to the site&#;s conditions to prevent future warping or buckling. The floor installation involves precise cutting, fitting, and securing of the flooring material, followed by sanding to ensure a smooth and flat surface.
Game lines and markings are then carefully painted on, and the entire floor is sealed and finished to protect it and enhance its appearance. And, of course, we adhere to the guidelines set by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association to ensure the highest quality installation throughout the process.
Proper maintenance is key to preserving the longevity and performance of any sports floor. It is essential to clean the floor regularly with approved products to remove dust, dirt, and sweat that can degrade the floor&#;s finish and traction.
During these cleanings, it&#;s also important to monitor the floor for signs of wear or damage, such as scratches, dents, or warping. Prompt repair of these issues can prevent further damage and extend the floor&#;s life.
At Sports Floors, Inc., we provide detailed maintenance guidelines. We even offer professional cleaning and repair services to keep your sports floor in top condition.
The lifespan of a sports floor depends on several factors. These factors include the type of material, the level of use, and the quality of maintenance. A well-maintained maple sports floor can last for several decades. However, even with excellent care, a sports floor will eventually show signs of age and wear. These signs include things such as deep scratches, persistent squeaks, or unevenness.
When these issues become widespread or affect the floor&#;s performance and safety, it may be time for a replacement. At Sports Floors, Inc., we provide expert assessments to help you determine when your sports floor needs to be replaced and guide you through the replacement process.
The Sports Floors, Inc. approach centers on understanding our clients&#; needs and providing tailored solutions. We offer comprehensive advice to help clients choose the right floor, meticulous installation to ensure optimal performance, and dedicated maintenance and repair services to prolong the floor&#;s life. We believe in building long-term relationships with our clients, providing support and expertise at every stage of their sports flooring journey, so if you&#;re ready to get started, call our team today.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of PP Interlocking Tiles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.