What You Need to Know About Vinyl Sheets and Tiles

What You Need to Know About Vinyl Sheets and Tiles

The beauty, durability and versatility of vinyl make it a popular flooring option. There are many advantages associated with it which make it a preferred choice for residential and commercial buildings. Available in the form of sheets and tiles, there are certain differences between them which make them more suited for specific applications.

If you are considering vinyl flooring for your home, the following are some key factors that you must take note of to determine which would be the best choice for your home.

• Aesthetics

One of the primary reasons behind the popularity of vinyl flooring is that it can be printed to mimic the look of any type of flooring like hardwood, stone, and ceramic tiles. Luxury vinyl flooring can authentically mimic the look and depending on the quality, it can be difficult to differentiate it from the real materials.

Vinyl sheet can be printed with the lines demarcating each separate tile but when it is laid, the overall look is not as authentic and one can easily say it is vinyl. On the other hand, the vinyl tiles are sized like the real planks and when it is laid, the seams between the tiles add to its realism. The look is three-dimensional and it also feels real underfoot.

Moreover, vinyl sheets are constructed through a calendar press which is 6 to 15-foot-wide and 3 feet in diameter. These presses are capable of making only one style of the vinyl sheet, limiting the styling choices. Vinyl tiles and planks are available in numerous customizable designs, and they can be laid in any configuration you like.

• Cost

The affordability of vinyl is another contributing factor to its popularity. However, there is a slight difference in the price points of vinyl sheet and tiles. While both are affordable enough for most homeowners, the price range of vinyl sheets is less comparatively, making it a preferred choice for those who have a tight budget and prioritize the price tag over other factors.

Sheet vinyl can be mass-produced which makes the overall production cost less and that lends to its cheaper price. The price of vinyl sheets is $1 to $4 per square foot while vinyl tiles can cost between $2 to $5 per square foot.

However, there is a drawback of vinyl sheet as they can increase the expenses in the future. Repairing a vinyl sheet is costlier and often you have to replace the entire sheet when it has obvious signs of damage. The vinyl tiles fare better in this department as you can easily replace the single damaged tile.

 

• Durability

Vinyl tiles and planks are made on a hot press and being processed under immense pressure and heat, they become more stable and durable. Moreover, since the sheet vinyl is rolled up to store it properly, it may result is curling and difficult to spread out and install. Hence, it lacks the stability of vinyl tiles.

One major advantage of the vinyl flooring is the moisture resistance and sheet flooring wins in this department. Since it is a large roll of flooring material and installed as a whole unit. There are no seams running through the floor. Hence, the chances of moisture seeping in is minimal when you are using sheet vinyl. This make it an ideal choice for high moisture areas like the bathroom. So, if you are worried that chances of moisture damage are high in your locality, sheet vinyl will be the right choice for you. However, not cleaning up spills quickly and letting it sit for too long will damage both sheet and tile vinyl.

 

• Applications

There are two major factors that you must consider to reap the maximum utility out of the type of flooring you are choosing. The place where it is to be installed and the ease of installation of the material determines the right option for you.

Both vinyl tiles and sheets can be used for the same purpose, but the durability, sustainability and variation offered by tiles make it a preferred choice for many. If you are looking for commercial area flooring where the foot traffic is much higher, vinyl tiles are better choice as they are durable enough to sustain. Also, chances of damage due to high traffic is more likely in a commercial setting and replacing the entire vinyl sheet or spot-repairing is a major trouble, making vinyl tiles an advantageous choice.

The method of installation is another factor that influence the application. For example, if you own a commercial space at the top floor of a building, hauling the huge roll of vinyl sheet in any way will involve immense labour. Even if you manage to move it to the floor you own, it has to be emptied to roll the sheet out and then cut it precisely. The overall procedure is tedious, time-consuming, and expensive regarding labour charges. On the other hand, vinyl tiles can be easily placed and installed and moving them around is not a hassle either, making it easier to install them.

Both the vinyl sheets and tiles have their individual advantages. Vinyl tiles should be your choice if you’re looking for longevity and durability, whereas, vinyl sheets will be suitable when cost and moisture-resistance are your priorities. Discuss your requirement and sub-floor condition with the local flooring experts to determine what will be the right choice for your home.