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Vinyl
floors are becoming less popular as a flooring choice for home owners.
However, this is still a viable flooring option that is inexpensive,
comfortable, and easy to install. It has its advantages and disadvantages.
Only you can determine if this type of flooring is best for your home.
There are many benefits to having vinyl tile flooring. First, it is easy to
install, because tiles usually have a self adhesive on the back. Even if
they do not, you need only spread an adhesive on the floor with a trowel
before laying the tile. If a tile cracks or breaks you can easily replace it
without needing to replace the entire floor. However, you may not always be
able to find the exact tile that you purchased, so it is best to purchase
additional tiles and put them in storage just in case they are needed later.
There are many disadvantages to having
vinyl
floors as well. Since the tiles are not locked together in any way they
can often become loose. This is especially true with the vinyl flooring is
in a room that is mopped often, such as the kitchen. Additionally, because
the tiles are not interlocking, dirt and debris can get into the cracks
between the tiles, and this can be very hard to clean.
Before you can install vinyl floors in your home you will need to determine
how many tiles you need. To do this with twelve inch tiles you will simply
need to multiply the length of your room by the width to determine the
number of tiles needed. If you are using nine inch tiles you will need to
divide width of the room, measured in inches, by nine, do the same for the
length, and multiply the two numbers together. In either case you should add
five percent for cutting and waste, as well as another five to ten percent
for potential replacement tiles.
Due to the resiliency of vinyl, you should be sure that your floors present
a smooth, flat surface before laying the tiles. Any bumps in the floor,
specks of dirt, or nails can create bubbles and hard bumps in your finished
vinyl floors. Make sure that you take care of anything of this nature before
laying the floors.
If you have purchased one color or pattern of tiles you will be able to
install them easily with little thought. If, however, you chose two tones
for your vinyl floors you will need to establish a pattern that you follow
throughout the room. This is actually fairly easy to do.
The final row of the flooring is the hardest part of the installation. Tiles
do not often fit precisely in the room from start to finish, so you will
need to cut them to fit on the last row. To do this you simply measure the
space, line up the pattern on the last tile laid, and mark the cut with a
pencil. You can cut the tiles by using a pen knife, pocket knife, or box
knife.
The end result will be somewhat durable, inexpensive, nice looking flooring.
Maintenance of this type of flooring is easy. As with any flooring you
should avoid using too much water when mopping. About once per year you may
also need to use a tooth brush or other grout cleaner to clean in between
the tiles of the vinyl floors.
Vinyl Flooring is one practical flooring
solution, learn more about Flooring at
http://flooringdude.com
.If you are looking for a
flooring contractor in the
Raleigh/Durham area please call us
today at 800.661.8136 or use our
online service request
form.
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