A Buyer’s Guide to Sheet Vinyl Flooring  

Vinyl floors were first introduced in the 1930s and with their promise of durability, aesthetic beauty, and resilience, they quickly became a game-changer in the home flooring industry. Today, there are different types of vinyl flooring and one of them is the vinyl sheet. This flooring material comes in flexible, vinyl rolls and is a suitable option if you want to install new floors on your own. 

So what do you need to know about sheet vinyl flooring before buying them? A sheet vinyl floor is made of PVC resins with additives such as filler, plasticizer, and pigment. It has a unique printed film layer that provides the flooring its design and texture. This flooring material has lots of benefits such as being water-resistant, scratch-proof, low maintenance, and long-lasting which makes it worth the purchase. 

The Basics of Vinyl Sheet Flooring  

There are still a lot of people who like classic flooring materials such as hardwood, laminate, and ceramic tile products. They’re still great flooring options for traditional-style homes. But if you prefer to try something new for your modern space, vinyl floors can be an excellent alternative choice. 

Vinyl floors are available in luxury vinyl plank, tiles, and sheets. It’s known as one of the most resilient flooring options and is widely used in rooms with high foot traffic. It’s also highly versatile in terms of design and texture since the advancements in technology allow manufacturers to develop tile and sheet vinyl floors with realistic natural looks. 

What Are Sheet Vinyl Floors Made Of?

The main material used to create vinyl floors is synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Each type of vinyl floor has a different manufacturing process and PVC content. To create sheet vinyl flooring, PVC resins are usually mixed with additional materials such as fillers, stabilizers, and plasticizers. 

This mixture is then applied to fibrous base material which results in a multi-layered construction of sheet vinyl. Here are the different layers of a vinyl sheet floor: 

• Top layer - This is the coating layer that provides sheen and safeguards the wear layer. 
• Wear layer - This refers to the surface that protects the print or PVC layer and gives the floor its durability against natural wear and tear. 
• Pattern layer - This provides the floor’s colors, designs, and patterns which are applied via the printing method. 
• Cushion layer - It typically consists of foam material to give the floor its texture and added spring and provides comfort underfoot. 
• Fiberglass - A construction that allows the sheet vinyl floors to be installed via a loose-lay method and helps keep it flat on the subfloor. 
• Base layer - The bottom layer which supports all the other essential elements of the sheet vinyl flooring. 

Sheet Vinyl Flooring vs. Other Types of Vinyl Floors

With the different kinds of vinyl flooring, you may have a hard time choosing which one is the best material for your home. To help you decide which flooring option to get, here’s a table showing the distinct differences between vinyl sheet floors and the other vinyl flooring choices: 

	Vinyl Sheet Floors	Vinyl Floor Tile	Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Composition	PVC material bonded to a fibrous or felt base layer	PVC with thermoplastics, fillers, and color pigments which are first made into sheets and then cut into vinyl tile pieces	Made from melted PVC resins and other materials that are pressed together to create planks
Water and scratch resistant properties	Highly waterproof and resistant to scratches and stain damage	Scratch-proof but may still allow water to penetrate between the seams	Can withstand most scratches, spills, and moisture changes
Method of flooring installation	Loose lay method or glue down application	Peel and stick application or glued down	Glue down or floating installation method
Maintenance	Easy to clean and maintain with regular sweeping	Also low maintenance and can last for years with minimal care	Requires minimal upkeep
DIY	Possible for DIY but recommended to be installed by professionals	Easy for home DIY projects	Can be installed on your own

Benefits of Using Sheet Vinyl Flooring 

Although vinyl sheet floors are made of synthetic materials, it still offers plenty of advantages that make it a worthy competitor against the traditional flooring products. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose vinyl sheet flooring for your home: 

1) Inexpensive flooring option 

Budget is always one of the important considerations when you’re planning a home upgrade. If you have wide floor space, you can expect to allot more money for flooring in your renovation project. Instead of getting hardwood or tile products, you can save more money on vinyl sheet floors that also offer the same durable properties. On average, a vinyl sheet floor can cost $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot. 

2) Wide variety of design choices  

Thanks to the latest innovations in manufacturing, there are now plenty of modern vinyl sheet designs that you can choose from to match your home decor. You can browse from different collections of vinyl sheet products to select the textures, colors, and patterns that meet your aesthetic preference. 

3) Resistant to water and scratches 

The clear protective barrier on the surface of your vinyl sheet floors is helpful in reducing the damage from stains, scratches, and excess moisture. In case of water spills or accidental stains, it’s also very easy to wipe them off or clean them to prevent further damage. 

4) Low maintenance 

Another huge benefit of vinyl sheet floors is that they require very minimal care and cleaning to maintain their good condition. You can simply sweep the debris and dirt off the floor or use a damp cloth or mop to wipe the water spills from the surface. To prevent scratches or stains, you can place area rugs over the vinyl sheet flooring. 

Can You Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring on Your Own?  

Vinyl floors are also known for their easy installation which is why they’re a preferred flooring option for many DIYers. However, it’s hard to guarantee that you can achieve proper floor placement especially if you’re a beginner in home flooring installation. If it’s your first time using vinyl sheets in your house, it’s better to leave the hard labor to the professionals. 

Here are some of the benefits of hiring a professional team for installing your vinyl sheet floors: 

• Quality outcome - With their experience and training, flooring experts can place your vinyl sheet floors effectively and efficiently. They can deliver high-quality installation results that will lessen your need for constant maintenance and repairs. 
• Convenience - When you choose to install floors on your own, you’d need to prepare tools and follow a lot of steps. The installation process can be tedious and stressful, especially for a first-timer. It’s more hassle-free to have a professional team do the installation for you. 
• More cost-efficient - Although hiring flooring experts can be expensive, it guarantees excellent results which can save you money on repairs and maintenance in the long run. 

Call the Experts at Zothex for Your Home Flooring Needs

Whether you’re building your first home or remodeling your kitchen or laundry room, vinyl sheet floors are a great choice for your flooring needs. It’s one of the best flooring investments that you can make that can improve the overall value of your property. 

Here at Zothex Flooring, we can help you pick the best residential and commercial flooring type that suits your needs. We have a team of artisans who can recommend the best floor material that offers durability and style. Contact us now to know more about our services or check our website to view our flooring catalog. 

Read More: What You Need to Know About Luxury Vinyl Flooring