Did you know that vinyl flooring was first introduced to the public at the 1933 “A Century of Progress” Exposition in Chicago? Vinyl has come quite a long way since that time, but its key advantages of durability, affordability, and easy installation and maintenance still remain today.
In fact, vinyl flooring has only gotten better over the years. While the 1960s ushered in the age of cushioned vinyl tiles and no-wax flooring, the 1970s welcomed the first vinyl plank flooring. And if there’s one thing to say about today’s generation of vinyl flooring, it’s that it’s only become more luxurious.
What are today’s modern advantages to installing luxury vinyl flooring?
Beauty
First and foremost, luxury vinyl tiling and planks are simply beautiful. Today’s products have come a long way aesthetically and readily simulate the beauty of wood, stone and other natural materials. Yet they do so at a far more affordable cost. One can also obtain luxury vinyl flooring in a wide variety of colors, patterns and designs.
Another beautiful thing about luxury vinyl flooring? It is available in eco-friendly materials. That’s a big plus for commercial properties like offices, hotels and retail shops, especially those looking for attractive, durable, and easy-to-maintain flooring that need to also meet green-building standards.
Ease of Installation
Anyone who has ever installed a vinyl floor is familiar with the ease of peel-and-stick tiles. You simply peel away the backing paper and press the new tiles down firmly on your old flooring or an underfloor. Planks take a little more effort and involve locking the grooves in the planks together. Both make good DIY projects, but if you don’t want to take the installation on yourself, a professional flooring installer can easily handle the project.
Easy to Clean and Maintain
Spilling a glass of wine on a hardwood floor involves a more difficult cleanup job than luxury vinyl flooring, especially if the stain has time to set in. Waterproof or water-resistant luxury vinyl planks or tiles clean up in a jiffy with simple diluted cleaners and a nylon sponge. While real hardwood floors require occasional buffing and waxing to maintain their natural beauty, LV planks and tiles can easily be kept clean with regular vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping.
Durability
Largely because of its durability, vinyl tiles and planking remain the go-to choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, hallways, entryways, and bathrooms. Unlike natural materials, it holds its own against scratches, spills, moisture, and stains, a great advantage for households with children and pets. And it lasts. If cared for properly, today’s vinyl tiles and planking can last 30 or more years.
Versatility
With today’s modern 3D technology, you can pre-design your flooring to have specific colors, patterns, and designs to match your decor. Want your living room or open office floor space to mimic the ocean floor instead with colorful fish and plant life? The multi-layered process of designing such a floor creates the illusion of depth–hence the 3D name. The choices are virtually endless, so you get to be as creative as you like!
One Last Thing
Getting started on a flooring project doesn’t have to involve waiting weeks for your material. Luxury vinyl tiles and planks can be found at most home improvement stores or via online retailers.
And with that in mind, there’s really no reason not to start planning for your luxurious new floor!