Are you curious about types of low-maintenance but durable flooring for your living room? Consider installing vinyl flooring, especially if you have children or pets. We researched all of the reasons why vinyl floors are an excellent choice for your home. Read more to learn about stylish, quality vinyl tile and plank floor options.
Vinyl flooring might be the right choice for your living room for the following reasons. Note there are some drawbacks; this flooring type is soft, susceptible to fading, damage from sharp objects, heavy loads, and must be installed on a smooth surface. However, the positive qualities are as follows:
- Vinyl is resistant to stains and water.
- If you need flooring that is versatile and cost-effective, consider vinyl.
- There are two types of vinyl available to provide a unique aesthetic: plank sheets or tile.
In this guide, you'll learn more about how vinyl makes a stylish and budget-friendly choice of flooring for a living room. So be sure to keep reading.
Are Vinyl Floors Right For Your Living Room?
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What are vinyl floors, and are they the right match for your living room? No matter your living room's style and your sense of aesthetics, vinyl floors are versatile enough to make a place in your home. Think beyond traditional black-and-white tile ensembles. Today's vinyl tiles look similar to an engineered hardwood and come in planks, marble, granite, and smooth porcelain in a myriad of colors.
Still not convinced about vinyl floors for your living room? Check out the following reasons why vinyl is an excellent option to upgrade your home.
- Vinyl floors can last an average of 10 to 20 years before they need to be replaced.
- You have a wide choice between classic tiles or planks in various colors and designs.
- Cleaning and upkeep are low-maintenance.
- Vinyl flooring is typically designed to resist moisture, fire, stains, and dirt buildup.
Good Longevity
Vinyl flooring is cost-effective, has a long lifespan, and comes in many colors and styles. But, some questions have been posed regarding its sustainability and level of environmentally-friendly qualities. Earlier editions of vinyl flooring and some current vinyl flooring types may still emit VOCs under certain conditions and contain hazardous elements. However, manufacturers who produce vinyl free of VOCs can be recycled and are free of harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, and formaldehyde during its formation.
Range Of Style
Vinyl tile has a classic, familiar style that is beloved by many. But, let's go beyond classic checkerboard tile as found in barbershops or pizza parlors. Today's selection of vinyl comes in traditional and bolder modern colors. Plus, you don't have to install tile flooring alone in your living room; you can also choose from click-in-place planks.
Expected Maintenance
The upkeep for vinyl so it looks nearly brand-new is relatively easy. First, you will want to vacuum, sweep up, or dry mop any debris before giving the floor a good mopping. Mopping the floor requires using apple cider vinegar and hot water or using a commercial cleaner. However, it is suggested to mop your floors frequently with plain water and a soft, non-abrasive mop.
Scuffs and stains on the floor can be buffed out using products like rubbing alcohol, WD-40, mineral spirits, or nail polish remover, depending on the blemish's origin. Don't forget to clean up spills as soon as they happen whenever possible to keep vinyl floors looking their best.
Check out this pH-neutral vinyl floor cleaner on Amazon.
Built To Resist
Hardwood floors may be the most desirable, but they can readily succumb to damage from spills, moisture, and mold, similar to carpet. Vinyl flooring is an attractive, budget-friendly choice because it is built to handle kids, pets, accidents and lasts for a long time. If you are in the market for flooring that resists mold, water damage, stains, and comes in various styles, vinyl might be a good choice.
Check out this waterproof, mold-resistant vinyl flooring on Amazon.
What Colors Are Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is incredibly versatile and comes in a range of colors in both tile and planks. You can install vinyl that is an attractive shade of brown, beige, gray, black, white, and even red. Many vinyl flooring types are not necessarily solid and may look similar to natural wood, stone, or porcelain. So, there are plenty of possibilities to show off your personality using vinyl in your living room.
Check out this marble granite lookalike vinyl tile on Amazon.
Check out this grey wood-colored tile on Amazon.
Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Decrease Home Value?
The upfront cost for luxury vinyl can be a significant investment, so it might come as a surprise if vinyl plank flooring negatively impacted home value. Vinyl does last a long time, so it has its appeal for being cost-effective. But, vinyl flooring may reduce a property's value if it has a dated look or does nothing to add aesthetic value to the home. Overall, hardwood flooring and laminate command a higher value for a home on the market.
Check out these elegant Mahogany-colored planks on Amazon.
Which Lasts Longer: Vinyl Or Laminate?
Vinyl has been around for years, so it is built to be durable and can outlast laminate. Homeowners love laminate flooring's look because it mimics desirable hardwood flooring and can last for up to 10 years. However, vinyl flooring can last up to 20 years if properly maintained. Plus, vinyl comes in many colors and can mimic natural stone, porcelain, and engineered wood floors.
Vinyl floors are often more inexpensive than laminate, but the price tag can get hefty for luxury vinyl. Be prepared. Vinyl flooring lasts so long you may find yourself undergoing expensive upgrades if you want to change the floors in under 20 years.
Is It Okay To Put Different Flooring In Different Rooms?
If you were worried whether you are making a home decor faux pas by installing different flooring in varying rooms in your home, you are not. It is perfectly acceptable and normal to have different flooring in bedrooms and living rooms than what is used in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.
Depending on the foot traffic in a home from everyday use, frequent guests, pets, or children, specific flooring types may last longer over time. Also, some people choose to have the same flooring in their home's upper level that is different from the lower level to visually establish boundaries.
In Closing
Rethink how you feel about vinyl flooring and choose to install this long-lasting material in your living room. Vinyl tile or planks may be a natural fit for bathrooms and kitchens, but they work well for living rooms too. Choose vinyl flooring for a living room in a home with pets, children, or frequent gatherings to endure heavy foot traffic and resist dirt and moisture from spills.
Vinyl flooring is low-maintenance, easy to clean, and can last up to two decades if properly installed and routine upkeep occurs. Look into how vinyl flooring can create your dream living room.
Before you go, here are some excellent articles about flooring.
