Luxury Vinyl Floor Tiles are Available in many Colours and Styles
Luxury carpets used to be the domain of the wealthy but these days they are a lot more affordable and well within the range of many more people. However a lot of people are turning their backs on traditional flooring options such as wood and carpets, even a luxury carpet, in favour of other options such as luxury vinyl flooring and luxury vinyl tile.
Invented in the 1930's, vinyl flooring first made an impact on the architectural world in the years following World War Two. By the 1950's it was a major competitor against other resilient options, and had all but usurped linoleum's position as a low cost water resistant flooring option. A variety of desirable characteristics continue to make this versatile flooring material a popular option to this day. However there are also a number of drawbacks to using this material in your home.
The colours and pattern options that are available with luxury vinyl flooring are nearly endless. Solid and composite vinyl can be combined to create a number of unique, random patterns. Printed vinyl is even more versatile, allowing you to recreate the look of natural stone, hardwood, or any other material you can think of. You can even mix and match material facades to make it look like you've combined different elements in your floor.
The difference in price between luxury vinyl floor tiles and the cheaper end ones is determined by the quality of the tile, and the design options found in the surface. Vinyl is generally considered to be a highly durable material that, if properly installed and maintained, can last upwards of ten to twenty years. However the quality of the material that you purchase, and the way it was manufactured, will determine how well your floor lasts over time.
The key to successful installation of luxury vinyl tiles lies beneath the flooring itself. Vinyl tiles require an extremely smooth surface, because any flaws and imperfections will show through as bumps and indentations in your floor. Usually the best subfloor is a layer of well-sanded plywood.
Most manufacturers do not recommend laying new vinyl over more than one layer of existing vinyl, and in fact will not guarantee the flooring if there is more than one layer of vinyl beneath. Another problem with laying over existing vinyl is that if the lower layer is patterned, the texture will eventually show through your top layer. Luxury vinyl tile can be laid on top of concrete, but again, uniformity and smoothness can be a problem. Also, a plywood layer will give you a better feel under foot.
Some manufacturers offer do-it-yourself installation kits, but many homeowners choose to use a contractor in order to achieve a smooth, professional look. The decision will depend a lot on your budget and whether or not you are a dab hand at DIY. Even if you opt for having luxury carpets instead of vinyl in your home, it may be a sensible thing to all the professionals to handle the installation and adjusting.
Invented in the 1930's, vinyl flooring first made an impact on the architectural world in the years following World War Two. By the 1950's it was a major competitor against other resilient options, and had all but usurped linoleum's position as a low cost water resistant flooring option. A variety of desirable characteristics continue to make this versatile flooring material a popular option to this day. However there are also a number of drawbacks to using this material in your home.
The colours and pattern options that are available with luxury vinyl flooring are nearly endless. Solid and composite vinyl can be combined to create a number of unique, random patterns. Printed vinyl is even more versatile, allowing you to recreate the look of natural stone, hardwood, or any other material you can think of. You can even mix and match material facades to make it look like you've combined different elements in your floor.
The difference in price between luxury vinyl floor tiles and the cheaper end ones is determined by the quality of the tile, and the design options found in the surface. Vinyl is generally considered to be a highly durable material that, if properly installed and maintained, can last upwards of ten to twenty years. However the quality of the material that you purchase, and the way it was manufactured, will determine how well your floor lasts over time.
The key to successful installation of luxury vinyl tiles lies beneath the flooring itself. Vinyl tiles require an extremely smooth surface, because any flaws and imperfections will show through as bumps and indentations in your floor. Usually the best subfloor is a layer of well-sanded plywood.
Most manufacturers do not recommend laying new vinyl over more than one layer of existing vinyl, and in fact will not guarantee the flooring if there is more than one layer of vinyl beneath. Another problem with laying over existing vinyl is that if the lower layer is patterned, the texture will eventually show through your top layer. Luxury vinyl tile can be laid on top of concrete, but again, uniformity and smoothness can be a problem. Also, a plywood layer will give you a better feel under foot.
Some manufacturers offer do-it-yourself installation kits, but many homeowners choose to use a contractor in order to achieve a smooth, professional look. The decision will depend a lot on your budget and whether or not you are a dab hand at DIY. Even if you opt for having luxury carpets instead of vinyl in your home, it may be a sensible thing to all the professionals to handle the installation and adjusting.
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