The Advantages and Disadvantages of Vinyl Plank Flooring

For several different reasons, hardwood floors are probably the most popular type of flooring among homeowners today. While it can be quite expensive, hardwood floors add a certain level of comfort and warmth to just about any room. Some of the downsides to hardwood floors include their vulnerability to damage, including stains, scratches, and more. In general, it can be a pain to maintain and clean regularly.

Vinyl plank flooring is a newer type of flooring that offers many of the benefits of hardwood flooring, but at significantly reduced prices. There are also a few other key advantages that vinyl plank flooring has over hardwood flooring that make it an attractive option for anyone who wants that classic hardwood floor look without the hassle and high price tags.

You can find vinyl plank flooring in a wide variety of wood grain sizes. This gives you the ability to choose a grain size that matches your preferred choice of wood. Plus, it’s available in a variety of shades that resemble cherry, oak, mahogany, maple, or any other wood to your liking. In fact, it does such a good job of mimicking these natural woods that many times you won’t be able to tell the difference between vinyl and wood flooring.

Probably the biggest advantage of vinyl flooring is how cheap it is. The cost of this type of flooring will generally be in the range of US$1 to US$4 per square foot. Another great advantage of these floors is that they are extremely durable and resistant to water. Its ability to effectively repel water allows you to use it in the kitchen or bathrooms of your home. It’s also resistant to cracks and scratches that you’ll often find in natural hardwood floors.

There are some downsides to vinyl flooring that you should also consider. Since your average vinyl plank is not as thick as natural wood planks, you will often need to install additional subflooring prior to installation. You also need to be very careful when it comes to cleaning vinyl plank flooring. Certain types of solvents and cleaners can actually damage these floors, so you need to find cleaners specifically designed to clean vinyl floors without damaging them.

The floor is one of the most notable and important aspects of any home. Therefore, choosing the right flooring is a very important decision that you want to get right. Before you decide to install vinyl plank flooring, you’ll want to know its pros and cons so you can make the right buying decision.