All You Need to Know About Vinyl Tile Flooring

There are plenty of different designs, styles, and materials to choose from when looking for a flooring option for your home. One of the most popular and inexpensive choices is vinyl tile flooring. This flooring product looks similar to stone or marble tiles, and is a good fit for almost any room of the house. 

So what else should you know about vinyl tile flooring before purchasing it? Vinyl tiles are constructed from polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC), and they come in three common variants: flexible, luxury, and waterproof. If you’re looking for a cheap, durable, water-resistant, and resilient flooring option, vinyl tile is one of your best choices.  

A Homeowner’s Guide to Using Vinyl Flooring 

A good flooring not only improves the environment and functional value of your home but also enhances its look and changes the overall feel of your space. Some of the more traditional options are hardwood flooring and laminate products, but vinyl tiles are also becoming a popular choice for many modern homes. 

Vinyl composite tiles are a relatively cheaper option compared to hardwood products and laminate flooring. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s lesser in quality since most vinyl tiles are known for their high durability. They’re also available in a variety of styles and designs so you can customize your vinyl plank flooring according to your personal taste. 

What Are Vinyl Tiles Made Of? 

Vinyl tiles are one of the three common types of vinyl flooring. The other kinds are luxury vinyl plank flooring and sheet vinyl flooring. A vinyl tile floor is manufactured with 100% PVC material which is heated and pressed into layers to form thin, solid sheets. These sheets are then cut into smaller tile pieces. 

To add design to the vinyl tiles, the PVC can be mixed with other materials such as color pigments and filler materials. The construction process also typically includes the addition of thermoplastic binders and pulverized limestone to increase its strength so it can withstand any wear and tear. 

There are also 4 different layers to a vinyl floor: 

• Wear layer - This is the topmost, hard surface that’s usually made of a clear urethane-based sealant. This layer provides protection to your vinyl tile and reduces the damage caused by stains, water spills, and scratches to increase the life of your flooring. 
• Print layer - This layer adds the aesthetic appeal of your vinyl tile flooring. It’s usually a film that’s decorated with a unique pattern that shows through the clear wear layer. Most vinyl tiles can be made to resemble natural wood, ceramic, marble, or stone flooring. 
• Core layer - This layer provides stability to the top part of the vinyl tile. It can be flexible made of wood plastic composite or have a rigid core layer that’s made of solid polymer material. 
• Underlayment - This refers to any material that’s placed between your vinyl tile and subfloor. It’s typically made of fiber, foam, felt, or rubber material. The purpose of an underlayment is to provide insulation, cushioning, and durability to your vinyl plank flooring. 

Best Rooms Where You Can Put Vinyl Plank Flooring

As a sturdy and water-resistant flooring option, vinyl tiles are a great choice for any room in the house. It’s usually recommended to be installed in places where there’s lots of foot traffic or where there’s a possibility for water damage and moisture changes. Some of the common areas where you can place vinyl tile floors are: 

1) Bathroom

If you’ve looked through a bathroom tile inspiration gallery, you’d notice that vinyl flooring is one of the best options for this part of the house. Unlike wood flooring and carpet products, vinyl tiles are more resistant to water and humidity changes in the bathroom. Vinyl floors are also more comfortable to walk on since they feel warmer to bare feet. 

2) Laundry room

Vinyl tiles are also an excellent flooring material for laundry rooms. One of its advantages is that they’re easy to install so you can place them on your own if you have a small laundry area. Some vinyl tiles are also slip-resistant so you don’t have to worry about falling over if the floor gets wet.

3) Kitchen 

Another place where you can put vinyl tile flooring is the kitchen. With its multiple design options, you can easily customize your vinyl flooring to match the layout and aesthetic of your cooking area. Vinyl floors also have a flexible and elastic surface, so plates and glasses are less likely to break when dropped. 

4) Kids’ playrooms 

Although playmats are the most popular choice for a playroom, vinyl tiles are also a great alternative for their offer of durability and comfort. Since kids are more prone to spilling water or scratching the floors with toys, it’s likewise ideal to place vinyl plank flooring because they’re easier to clean and maintain. 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Vinyl Flooring for Your Home 

Vinyl tiles already meet the number one consideration of homeowners when choosing a flooring option: price. They’re definitely a more economical option than installing ceramic tile or hardwood floors. But even if they’re cheap, they’re still a good investment that provides value in the long run.

However, in addition to cost, there are also other factors that you should consider before buying vinyl plank flooring. These factors can help you determine which type of vinyl tile you’ll install in your rooms. 

1) Foot traffic 

It’s important to think about the number of people in your home and the average foot traffic that your room experiences on a daily basis. If you’re selecting vinyl floors for an area where there is regular foot traffic, you can customize your tile flooring to have a heavy wear layer for increased durability. 

2) Room Size 

Vinyl tiles come in a wide range of measurements and when determining the right dimensions, it’s important to consider the room size. Larger rooms may require a vinyl tile size of 12 to 18 square inches to fill the wide space, while smaller areas may need fewer tiles with a size of 9 square inches. If you want to make your small room seem bigger, you can also use large vinyl tile sizes to create the illusion of having more open space. 

3) Style and Design

Vinyl tiles also offer high versatility in design and textures so you can customize your flooring to complement your home decor. You can transform your living space by choosing among different vinyl flooring patterns and textures. 

4) Type of Vinyl Tile

There are three primary kinds of vinyl tile flooring, which are flexible, luxury, and waterproof. Flexible vinyl floors usually come in a peel-and-stick tile or interlocking planks so they’re simpler to install. Luxury vinyl, or LVT flooring, have a rigid core and tougher wear layer surface, while a waterproof LVT floor has a specialized water-resistant core made of wood and plastic. 

Tips to Maintain the Quality of Your Vinyl Tiles 

Another benefit of vinyl tiles is that they’re low-maintenance and they don’t require extensive cleaning. However, there are also other important reminders to maintain the integrity of your home flooring. Here are some important care tips for your vinyl tiles: 

• Use a dry mop or microfiber cloth to clean debris and dirt on the vinyl plank floor surface. 
• Clean your floor with a wet mop every 2 or 3 times a month to remove stains or grime. 
• Avoid using abrasive cleaners, sponges, or wool materials since they can easily scratch the tile surface. 
• Don’t use solvent-based polishes or wax since it can damage the floor’s coating. 
• Apply felt pads on your furniture or place area rugs to protect your vinyl flooring from scratches. 
• Make sure to clean any water spills right away to avoid serious moisture damage to the floor. 

Get Professional Flooring Installation Services at Zothex

Vinyl tiles are an affordable choice if you want a long-lasting and flexible flooring option for your home. They also come in a variety of styles and can be customized according to your specific aesthetic preference.

Here at Zothex Flooring, we have a wide range of tile products in different designs and sizes that can fit your home. Our expert team can also take complementary measurements and install the flooring of choice in your room. Contact us today to inquire about our stocks or know more about our residential and commercial flooring services.

Read More: A Buyer’s Guide to Sheet Vinyl Flooring