Vinyl Can Work For Both Kitchens & Baths

If you’ve got a big home project that involves kitchens and baths, one consideration that remains a constant is adequate flooring. Unlike other rooms in a home, such as living rooms and bedrooms, carpet is not a practical option here, and even rugs are at risk. Kitchens and baths both introduce large amounts of water into a room, and that means that moisture/water resistance, as well as durability, are big issues here.

This means that smooth, hard surfaces are the way to go, and while there are many options, one of the most balanced is selecting a grade of vinyl flooring that you’re comfortable with.

Vinyl Has Come A Long Way

In the past, vinyl was typically associated with lower-cost flooring for those on a budget, and to a certain extent, this can still be the case for those with budgetary concerns. Vinyl is a synthetic material that is both soft and flexible, so it is much easier to manufacture and install compared to more traditional materials like stone tiles or wood.

On the low end, vinyl can be the cheapest alternative for people looking for a durable but low-cost flooring solution, potentially just one or two dollars per square foot for bargain hunters. However, while being the cheaper option, traditional vinyl sheets are not the only ones.

Luxury or premium vinyl flooring is now also available. Unlike the older vinyl format, which is a rolled sheet cut to fit a room, premium vinyl comes in plank form. It can be laid out in pieces similar to tile or hardwood, creating additional decorating possibilities. Premium vinyl can also be textured and colored to give it different appearances, whether that preference is for something similar to hardwood or closer to stone tile.

A Durable Choice For Kitchens And Baths

One of the biggest advantages of vinyl flooring for kitchens and baths is the 100% water resistance. Hardwood must be specially treated if it is to be used in a kitchen or bathroom setting, adding to its cost, while stone, being extremely resistant to water, can still show some wear and tear, especially between tiles, should the grout that fills the spaces become damaged. This is one reason why vinyl is such a popular choice for commercial needs.

Vinyl is a softer, warmer material compared to stone, making it a better choice for bathrooms if people don’t enjoy cold, hard floors. This also means it can be a bit more resilient to falling objects such as bowls or other accidents that can sometimes chip stone tiles.

Not Perfect

Of course, for all the pros, there are some cons. While vinyl is soft, that also makes it vulnerable to dropped knives in a way that stone tile may be more resistant to. Vinyl resists impact but not cuts. It’s also not a big ticket perk for a home’s value in the same way that stone or hardwood flooring can be, so even a luxury vinyl flooring solution may not bump up your property price to a significant degree.

If you’re thinking of a major project for your kitchens and baths, contact us today.