Types of Vinyl Flooring

Two Main Types

Vinyl flooring is made in countless colors, but only comes available in two separate types, inlaid and printed. For the inlaid vinyl, color granules are actually part of the vinyl and imbedded into the material. This gives the inlaid vinyl a very “speckled” look, with a variety of colors within the design, giving you an assortment of colors to match when considering other décor in your home. Including the color granules into the vinyl also gives this particular design a deep and dense appearance, allowing your floor to look rich in colors. If you’re looking for a more solid color, choosing printed vinyl will suit your needs better. Print vinyl has the color printed directly onto the material, and designs such as hardwood or marble are popular choices for this style. If you aren’t going for the luxurious look of hardwood or marble vinyl, there is a countless number of colors available for printed vinyl. If you are unsure of which style fits best in your home, contact the staff of Murray Floor and Window Coverings today to schedule a free in-home shopping appointment that allows you to select your flooring from the comforts of your home.

Which Cut Is Best?

There are three main cuts for vinyl flooring, each giving your room a different look depending on the style you’ve chosen and where you intend to place it in your home. If you’re considering vinyl flooring for your bathroom or wash room where water will be present, the “sheet” cut is the best option. Considering that sheet vinyl actually comes in 6 to 12 foot sheets, it is ideal for installing with one large application for floors that may be exposed to water. That will prevent it from entering any spaces or cracks in the vinyl to cause mold considering it is seamless. Sheet vinyl is also an excellent choice if you’ve purchased a pattern design or solid color, as it will give your floor a more cohesive look. If you’ve chose vinyl that mimics the appearance of tile or marble, the “tile” cut is a great choice, providing your floor with an actual tile installation look. If hardwood vinyl is the look you’re going for, consider the “plank” cut. Much like the “tile” cut for marbled or tiled floors, the plank cut is perfect for imitating the actual look of hardwood.

What Grade to Choose?

The appearance of the vinyl you’ve chosen for your home is important, but the grading that vinyl endures is essential to which type of vinyl you choose and where you plan to install it in your home. The wear-layer grading allows vinyl to be broken down into 3 grades based on its durability. Grade 1 vinyl provides the thickest sealant available, and would be the best option if you’ve chosen to place vinyl flooring in a high traffic area of your home. Grade 2 has the second thickest sealant, and is more suitable for areas with lighter traffic or rooms that won’t be used as often as an entrance or exit, for example. For grade 3, the thinnest layer of protection is provided, and would need to be placed in a very low traffic area that doesn’t get heavy daily use. With the correct application for each room in your home, vinyl siding is a long lasting and affordable choice for years of use in your home.

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