Vinyl flooring is a great addition to a home for many reasons, but it isn’t without its downsides. Let’s review the pros and cons of vinyl flooring in every room of your house, so you know whether it’s right for you.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the best place in the home for vinyl flooring. Vinyl is even a great choice for commercial kitchens, which means that it’s durable enough to stand up to the demands of a busy restaurant. Vinyl is waterproof, which makes it a great choice for the kitchen. From high humidity from cooking to accidental spills, your kitchen floor is no stranger to moisture. Vinyl is made of plastics that are fully impermeable to moisture if installed properly. When moisture is considered, vinyl vs. laminate pros and cons really do make all the difference, as laminate is made of several thin layers of wood that are not waterproof. Even with a waterproof coating, high-quality laminate may not last as long against kitchen moisture. While vinyl is durable, it’s not invincible. Vinyl can be damaged by sharp objects and high temperatures. While you (hopefully) won’t be juggling knives or tossing pots of boiling water with reckless abandon, accidents do happen, and your floors could be cut or otherwise damaged.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is another room in your home that soft vinyl flooring can work in. Besides its water-resistant qualities, which we’ve already outlined, vinyl is also comfortable and cost-effective. Bathroom flooring is typically something that gets changed more frequently than other areas of the home. It’s not usually due to wear and tear but rather the frequent changes and remodels you may make to your bathroom. Vinyl is cheaper than tile, making it an easier option when you need to rework your bathroom’s aesthetic. Vinyl plank flooring is easy to remove, which is another reason why it works so well in spaces that you may want to change up every few years. One reason you may not want vinyl for your bathroom is traction. Vinyl is fairly grippy when it’s dry, but when there is moisture on the surface, it can become quite slippery. After a shower or bath, things can be slick on vinyl if you aren’t drying it up well.
Living Spaces
Living rooms, dining rooms, offices, and bedrooms are all great places to install vinyl flooring. Still, is vinyl flooring good for an entire house? It all depends on your particular needs. Not only is vinyl strong against water, but it can put up with considerable foot traffic, making it great for entryways or rooms you use every day. Unlike softer flooring options like rubber or cork, vinyl won’t deform under furniture, making it a better choice for living spaces.
However, there are pros and cons to vinyl flooring in every room of the house. If you have pets, they may struggle to walk on vinyl flooring. Dogs are especially susceptible to slipping on hard flooring. Vinyl flooring is durable against damage from pet accidents and scratches, meaning many pet owners opt for it despite this traction issue. You may need to accentuate your living spaces with rugs if your furry friends struggle on your flooring or simply schedule more frequent nail trimmings, as this can help. Another con? Since vinyl is so affordable, it doesn’t make a great impact on your home’s resale value. While it’s useful and can be styled however you like, it’s not a major boon when you’re listing your home.
Consider Vinyl for Your Home
All in all, vinyl is an incredibly attractive option for homeowners, and it has its uses in each and every room of the house. If you think vinyl is right for you, work with the pros at Ozburn-Hessey to schedule your consultation and estimate today.
