Is vinyl flooring good in kitchens? Pros and cons 

Are you looking for a less expensive option than hardwood or stone flooring? Do you want a lot of customization and design freedom without an additional cost? Do you require a waterproof, aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and equally functional floor for your kitchen? Look no further than vinyl flooring. We’re here to let you know if vinyl flooring is good in kitchens.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the pros and cons of vinyl flooring. 

What is vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is a form of synthetic flooring with multiple layers. Vinyl flooring is often made of plastic, fiberglass, or PVC and comes in planks, tiles, or sheets that can be installed. The majority of the floor is made up of a core layer, which may or may not have an underlay or backing. An image layer sits on top of this, which can imitate a variety of materials such as wood and ceramic. The sublayers are protected from harm by a top wear layer of varied thickness.

Pros of vinyl flooring 

Durability 

Vinyl flooring is well-known for its durability. This implies that most vinyl flooring is water-resistant, low-maintenance, and has a long lifespan. Vinyl flooring, if it includes a wear layer, will usually not discolor and will withstand a lot of wear and tear, making it a fantastic choice for high-traffic areas. Some manufacturers make 100% waterproof vinyl floors, which are ideal for bathrooms and mudrooms.

Easy to install 

As long as the job is done correctly, vinyl is a reasonably simple material to install. Make sure the ground you’re going to place it on is fully dry and leveled. Even if you want to lay the flooring yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a professional first to guarantee that the floor is level.

Easy to maintain 

Vinyl is one of the most low-maintenance flooring options, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. Leaving grit and debris on the floor can cause scratches and harm the surface; to avoid this, remove dirt and stains with a moist mop and vinyl cleaner.

Cons of vinyl flooring 

What are the cons of vinyl flooring?

Not environmentally friendly 

Vinyl flooring is made with harmful chemicals, and it has been reported that after installation, vinyl floors produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (volatile organic compounds). VOCs when off-gassed can be harmful to one’s health when in a closed environment (especially one without windows or ventilation). Should you live in spaces without windows,  we recommend that you avoid high-VOC vinyl flooring and instead opt for a low-VOC option.

Cannot be repaired 

Vinyl flooring cannot be repaired since it has a single wear layer over the design layer. When a floor is damaged, it must be completely replaced, either in the afflicted sections or throughout the entire floor. This is especially true for low-quality vinyl, such as sheet vinyl. 

Colors can fade 

Although this sounds horrible, it’s not as bad as it sounds; the colors fade when exposed to too much direct sunlight, which is why it’s not suggested for use outside or in conservatories where excessive temperatures can destroy it.

Conclusion 

Vinyl flooring may be right for you given its affordability, variety, ease of maintenance, and other benefits as aforementioned. However, care must be taken in the selection of the right vinyl flooring for your home to prevent continuous exposure to VOCs that are harmful to your health. We hope this article answers the question: Is Vinyl flooring good in kitchens?