Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring in the UK. As likely to be used in upscale hotels as in South-side community projects, vinyl flooring can masquerade as stone, wood, tile or other materials, and accentuates a home's domestic appeal. Classified as a resilient flooring, it is durable and easily bounces back to its original shape after wear. It is fashioned from the petroleum-based plastic carcinogen, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Vinyl flooring can be constructed in two methods: inlaid, which uses solid-hued vinyl chips pressed on top of a carrier sheet covered by an aesthetic and maintenance layer; and printed (rotogravure), which imprints a pattern on the vinyl's core layer, and then a transparent "wear layer" is plastered on it. Vinyl flooring comes in sheet and tile (VCT) forms and is easily installed.
With proper care and maintenance, vinyl flooring may enjoy a wear life of 15-20 years. The floor should be consistently and periodically cleaned with soap and water. Clean up spills, vacuum dust balls, and generally keep the surface spic-and-span. There is a long list of don'ts to follow as well. Don't use detergents or abrasive materials and cleaners - they may dull the surface. Don't use solvent-based polishes or paste wax. Don't drop matches or cigarettes because the vinyl will melt immediately. And don't use rubber- or latex-based mats because the antioxidants may permanently stain the floor. In short, as a rule of thumb, shy away from chemical cleaners and reply on warm water and soap to do the dirty work.
Vinyl flooring competes with linoleum, laminate and hardwood flooring for decor rights. Vinyl ranges from USD - per square foot for sheets and less for tiles. In comparison, ceramic tiles typically average anywhere between - per square foot, while stone tiles go between and . Vinyl is slightly less expensive than linoleum, due to its synthetic composition and shorter lifespan, and on par with laminate flooring. Hardwood typically ranges from - per square foot. Installation costs average - per square foot. For soothing simplicity and style, not much can beat vinyl flooring.