Wrought-Iron Shelving

Flooring Introduction

Floating Vanity Cabinets

Limestone Flooring

Elegant Master Suite

Vinyl

Resilient Bathroom Flooring

Vinyl is the most common form of resilient flooring (other examples include cork, rubber and linoleum). Resilient flooring gets its name because of its ability to bounce back into shape. Vinyl flooring is either made entirely from vinyl pieces, or a mixture of vinyl and composite material.

Styles
Vinyl flooring can mimic the look of natural surfaces like wood or stone, and it has numerous color and pattern options. It can be purchased and installed in sheets or as individual tiles. There are also two important distinctions in vinyl:

Standard Vinyl
Colors and patterns are printed on one sheet layered between a thick, clear upper surface (the wear layer) and a foamy vinyl core.

Inlaid Vinyl
In this type of vinyl, the color and pattern go all the way through the core of the material. It also has a protective wear layer. Inlaid vinyl is considered denser and more durable than standard vinyl.

Surface features
The top layer of vinyl flooring—also known as the wear layer—consists of either a urethane, no-wax coating or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surface. Urethane coating keeps its gloss longer than the PVC surface. Both of these surfaces resist water absorption. Also, the thicker the vinyl, the more cushion it provides, making it more comfortable to stand on.

Pros

• Many options for colors and patterns.
• Water won’t discolor it.
• No maintenance beyond sweeping and mopping.
• Resists scuffs and stains from kids and pets.
• Reasonably priced.

Cons

• The soft and cushiony surface can dent or tear.
• If sheet vinyl isn’t installed properly and as free of seams as possible, the flooring may peel up.
• Water can get into the seams between vinyl tiles, which can lead to problems below the surface of the tile.
• The “wear layer” can wear out, causing the floor to lose its sheen.

Price
Expect to pay about $3-$10 per square foot.