MAKEUP OF VINYL PLANKS
WEAR LAYER
Wear layer is an important specification to factor into a flooring purchase. Put simply, the wear layer is the top surface that provides the durability, stain and scratch resistance of vinyl flooring. The wear layer is usually a clear, urethane based coating that keeps the original appearance of the floor and provides easy maintenance. Once the wear-layer wears through, the paper pattern will damage, and the floor will need to be replaced. To decide on the best wear layer, you will need to determine the usage of the flooring. If you have pets, kids, or there is a lot of foot traffic in your home or workplace, you should opt for a thicker wear layer. In short, the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the floor. PERFECT PLANKS offers four wear layer options: 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.5mm and 0.55 mm.
WHAT THICKNESS SHOULD I CHOOSE
VINYL PLANKS THICKNESS
Vinyl flooring comes in thicknesses ranging from 2mm to 7.5mm. There are several important questions you must ask yourself when deciding which thickness will be right for you:
What am I requiring it for? Home, Investment property or a business?
Do I require it to be easy to replace?
What type of sub-floor do I have?
What condition is my sub-floor in?
If you are looking for flooring to refresh a low traffic room like a bedroom, a thinner vinyl plank will work great for you. For areas that have more traffic and usage, such as entry, hallways or receptionist desk, you may want to choose a thicker plank. Your sub-floor is also a very important part of choosing the thickness as well. If you have an even concrete sub-floor, you can get a thinner vinyl plank. This is because your sub-floor is sturdy enough that you don’t need the extra support. However, if your sub-floor is uneven and requires additional preparations, you should opt for the thicker vinyl plank for added stability and support.
A thicker vinyl plank is more durable as mentioned above. However, don’t assume that all thicker vinyl planks will be more durable. When choosing a vinyl plank, also pay attention to the wear layer. Just like the thickness, the thicker the wear layer and embossing, the more durable the flooring will be. Make sure to choose features of the flooring that’s right for you and your sub-floor. We recommend contacting us for professional advice.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
VINYL PLANKS BASICS
VISUAL DETAILS
VINYL PLANKS WIDTH & LENGTH
As with wood flooring, width and length can have a significant impact on how a floor looks. Wide plank wood flooring is the term used to describe flooring that is greater than the standard 120mm to 150mm plank width. Generally speaking, the wider and longer the planks, the more luxurious the feel of the floor. Larger planks mean less seams, resulting in a cleaner, more open look. The wider size allows the wood-look pattern to be a more prominently featured.
Longer length planks are another feature that vinyl planks can mimic. Long hardwood planks were rare for a while, but due to the introduction of engineered wood it is now more readily available. Luxury vinyl planks are a good choice if you want this look but all benefits of vinyl such as waterproof, easy to replace and maintain, scratch and stain resistant and no expensive up keep.
VISUAL DETAILS
PRINT FILMS AND REPEAT PATTERNS
The print-film gives your floor its distinct look. With print-film manufacturers now carrying catalogs that number in the thousands, you can get virtually any design and colour you can imagine. Out of this print film, planks are cut at random points, leading to a certain set of patterns. The degree of variation between planks is referred to as the “repeat pattern”. There is one thing to keep in mind that can help reduce repeat patterns. It is to pick a pattern that doesn’t have overly distinct features. The more distinctive the grain or texture in the print film, the more obvious it will be when that distinct pattern reappears. One more note to consider with your print pattern is how “wearable” the pattern is. Floors inevitably get dirty as they get walked on, and some colors and patterns will show dirt more than others. Especially with very light or white floors, it is worth seeing if the pattern has enough of a pattern that dirt will hide. A completely uniform white floor might look more modern at first glance, but will quickly look dirty. The same can also apply to extremely dark floors as well.
WOULD I HAVE TO REMOVE THE TILES FIRST?
INSTALLATIONS OVER EXISTING FLOORING
With all the new flooring options available, customers are looking now more than ever to replace their old floors. A trend we have seen is that a majority of these customers are replacing tile and learning that tile is a very tough floor to remove. This has led to us getting a lot of questions around installing a new floor on top of tile. In most cases, it is best to prepare the tiles to install over the top. Here is a link to one of our many post of over the top of tiles on our Facebook page. It has a good explanation and before during & after pics. Also, if you have some questions about installations over top of existing tiles, click here.
HOW TO CLEAN
TIPS TO MAINTAIN VINYL PLANKS
There’s no doubt that vinyl plank is one of the most durable and easy-to-maintain flooring materials to have installed in your home or business. Despite its ease of care, you’ll still have to do some basic cleaning to maintain vinyl floors. Follow these simple rules and you’ll be able to extend the life of your vinyl floors and keep them looking brand new for years to come.
VACUUM ON
“BARE FLOOR MODE”
When removing excess dust and dirt using a vacuum cleaner, either disengage the beater bar in your vacuum or set it on the “bare floor” setting. Using this setting will avoid harsh sweeping against the vinyl floor.
AVOID ABRASIVE CLEANERS
This includes detergents, acidic cleaners and other “mop and shine” products. Many of these products will leave a dull film on vinyl plank floors, making them look dirtier than when you began cleaning. Also, avoid any highly abrasive scrubbing tools, which will scratch at your floor’s wear layer.
WIPE UP SPILLS
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
This one seems like a no-brainer, but don’t let spills sit. Clean any spills or accidents as soon as possible to avoid any possibility of stains or buildup.
SWEEP BEFORE MOPPING
Using a soft bristle broom, remove any loose dirt from your floors before you mop. This will prevent any rough particles from scratching the floors.
UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES,
DO NOT USE A STEAM MOP