Thanks to technological advancements, the construction industry has evolved to a great extent. In essence, manufacturers have now developed new materials that make construction faster, more efficient, and cheaper than other materials while maintaining construction quality. One of those materials is vinyl plank flooring.
This type of flooring is meant to mimic hardwood or engineered hardwood. However, vinyl plank flooring isn’t made of wood. As its name suggests, it’s made of vinyl and comes in long, rectangular strips, as opposed to the usual square tiles.
Many homeowners choose vinyl plank flooring for all its qualities. Fortunately, companies and their product line like Southern Luxe vinyl plank flooring and others offer the best in both quality and price. But it doesn’t mean vinyl is all that perfect. There are some disadvantages to this material, which you must know to make a sound decision before installing it in your home.
In this article, you’ll know all about vinyl plank flooring, including its advantages and disadvantages.
- Pro: It’s Cheap
Vinyl’s price is perhaps one of the most striking reasons why it has become a popular choice among homeowners. It’s a cheap material, at least relatively cheaper than hardwood.
Many house designs nowadays have earthy or wooden elements because of this aesthetic’s beauty and charm. However, there’s also no denying that hardwood isn’t necessarily the cheapest material. Hence, manufacturers and designers saw the need for an alternative like vinyl planks that look like hardwood, minus the hefty price tag.
- Pro: It’s Easy To Maintain
For those who can’t bother enough with hard-to-maintain house fixtures, you’ve got more reason to get vinyl plank flooring. It’s one flooring type that is the easiest to maintain. Manufacturers recommend sweeping or vacuuming daily as the best way to avoid any build-up of dirt and grime.
Like many households, you must already have a weekly cleaning schedule. With vinyl floors, all you have to do is add cleaning your floors to that list. You don’t need to do anything fancy. A mixture of warm soap and water or a cleaning detergent will do, applied on the floor with a damp cloth or mop.
- Pro: It Can Be Unique And Beautiful
Another reason many homeowners like to have wood elements in their homes is the distinct characteristics of wood’s pattern. No two wood slabs are the same, so putting them together means you’ll have a floor with a lot of character.
If hardwood is out of your budget, vinyl planks are your alternative. And even better news is that vinyl planks nowadays can rival the uniqueness and beauty of hardwood floors. Two versions you can get are the hand-scraped and distressed-finish versions. You can also find stone and marble patterns if you’re not looking for wood.
- Con: It May Be Hard To Remove
If you’re concerned about the quality of vinyl plank floors because it’s quite affordable, it’s durable, on the contrary. However, it has one significant drawback: it might be hard to remove.
This shouldn’t bother you if you’re sticking with vinyl flooring long term. However, if it’s only a temporary solution to a more expensive flooring type in the future, you have to be ready for a challenging removal process.
Once you glue vinyl planks, the adhesive sticks well to any surface. If this is only a temporary measure, a way to go around this is to avoid glue. A flooring company can offer you an alternative to glue but without compromising quality. One option they might offer is stapling the planks to your floor.
- Con: It May Have Limited Ultraviolent (UV) Resistance
If you have a lot of natural light going through your home (as in the case of homes with skylights, for instance), vinyl plank flooring might not be the best for your home. Another downfall of this flooring type is that it might have very limited UV resistance.
Discoloration can happen when the vinyl plank flooring is exposed to UV radiation. However, if you’ve decided to get it anyway, ask your installer about UV-resistant coating. With this layer, your floors can survive the heat better during the day.
The Bottomline
When homeowners are in the process of building their homes or renovating one, it’s not surprising how they might balk at the prices of certain materials. Because of its affordability, many homeowners are drawn to vinyl as one alternative these days.
However, before jumping right onto the bandwagon, it’s also important to have an idea of its pros and cons. That way, you make a more informed decision for your home.
