Vinyl flooring is a naturally looking floor covering that is highly durable and easy to maintain, which is the key to its popularity. From a technical perspective, vinyl is very convenient due to its simple installation process—planks can be installed using a click-lock system (floating method) or glued down. Unlike many artificial floor coverings, vinyl surfaces have a warm appearance and are suitable for underfloor heating. Because of its relatively thin structure, vinyl flooring efficiently conducts heat, making it an excellent choice for heated floors.

 

Properties of Vinyl Flooring

The main component of vinyl flooring, commonly referred to simply as vinyl, is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is reinforced with composite fibreglass and various additives. The flooring consists of several layers of polyvinyl chloride, with the top layer typically being more or less reinforced depending on the thickness of the wear layer, which also determines its durability class.

Vinyl flooring is suitable for almost all residential and public spaces. It is moisture-resistant, long-lasting, easy to install, and available in various designs. In homes, vinyl is even suitable for bathrooms, not to mention kitchens, where you won’t have to worry about stains or scratches from broken glass or spilt wine. Your pets can roam freely in rooms with vinyl flooring, as their claws won’t leave marks on the surface. Vinyl resists stains from coloured liquids and offers good sound insulation. Some types of vinyl flooring feature enhanced soundproofing with a thicker and softer underlayer. Additionally, certain types of vinyl flooring are UV-resistant and fade-resistant, making them a great option for sunlit rooms. When selecting vinyl flooring, it’s important to consider the conditions of the space where it will be installed and choose the appropriate type accordingly.

 

Choosing Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles can perfectly imitate ceramic, any type of wood, metal, stone, mosaic, Chevron-style parquet, or other materials without having the drawbacks typically associated with those materials.

Choosing a reliable and well-known manufacturer is crucial when selecting vinyl flooring. This typically means the manufacturer uses modern technology and produces high-quality, tested vinyl flooring that does not contain phthalates. Almost all major European manufacturers, including Tarkett, Wicanders, Fatra, Forbo, and others, meet these criteria.

Vinyl flooring is typically manufactured in tile or plank form. The standard tile size is 450x450 mm, but tiles and planks are available in various formats. The most important factor is effortless installation, as vinyl flooring is easy to cut along marked lines. Vinyl flooring is installed using a universal adhesive suitable for vinyl materials.

Cutting vinyl flooring is very easy. Use a drywall utility knife to cut. The simplest way to maintain a straight line is by using a ruler or, as shown in this case, another flat surface. If you lack experience, it's better to use a metal object, as cutting into the soft vinyl with the wrong tool may result in a crooked cut.

Once the plank is scored, it easily snaps along the cut line.

Cutting through the bottom layer after snapping the plank in half.

 

Vinyl Floor Maintenance

Unlike laminate, vinyl flooring is completely moisture resistant, even over extended periods. It is easy to clean—simply use soapy water and a cloth or specialised floor cleaning products. It is crucial that the flooring does not become statically charged, preventing dust balls from forming on the surface. The only drawback of vinyl flooring is its lack of heat resistance. However, no one places an iron or hot pot directly on the floor, nor do they throw smouldering cigarette butts on it. Spills, including water, are much more common than hot liquids, but vinyl flooring is a practical choice since it is not affected by the typical types of damage. That said, it is important to note that if a large area of floating vinyl flooring is exposed to direct sunlight on a hot day, the flooring may warp. To avoid this, keep curtains or blinds closed during intense sunlight.

Over the past few years, the popularity of vinyl flooring has steadily increased, like no other flooring material. Vinyl flooring has become a mainstay in the product range of many flooring stores, and the growing interest in these floors is reflected in Google search trends. The popularity of vinyl flooring can be attributed to its combination of positive features, design variety, and easy installation.

 

Installing Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring can be installed on any smooth surface, including concrete, cement, gypsum-based substrates, OSB boards, plywood, and floorboards. It is also excellent for installation over underfloor heating systems. The most time-consuming part of the installation process is usually levelling the subfloor. For vinyl, just like any other type of flooring, a smooth and even surface is essential for proper installation.

The underlayment is made from MFT (Multi-Functional Panel) panels, which are extremely durable and resistant to bending under load.

It is best to start by preparing the vinyl flooring. The glueing process is rapid, so it is better to prepare panels of the correct dimensions in advance. Lay out the rows on spacers, on top of which the panels will be glued first.

The edges of adjacent rows of panels should not align and should be kept at a distance of at least 15 centimetres.

A bit more work is required to measure edges and navigate around columns or openings accurately.

Vinyl flooring can be fitted very precisely to the wall.

First, three or four panels are glued from the wall (or opening). The number of rows depends on the width of the panels. In this case, wider vinyl panels were used and installed in three rows with a single application of adhesive.

An A1 notched trowel (with notches about 1.5 mm) is used to spread the adhesive, but the type of trowel may vary depending on the adhesive used. Initially, the adhesive is applied perpendicular to the laid rows and then spread parallel to the installation direction. The adhesive layer must be evenly distributed. If the layer is too thick, the vinyl tiles will float, and the adhesive may ooze through the gaps.

After applying the adhesive, wait about 15 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity conditions (the time may vary depending on the adhesive used). When the adhesive becomes clear and leaves no residue when touched with a finger, it’s time to start glueing.

The panels are laid by pressing edge to edge, as close as possible to the previously installed row.

The glued vinyl panels are levelled.

Some more force is needed when pressing the tiles together. It is best to use a rotating motion, applying pressure with your fingers and twisting with the pad of your thumb.

Compressing the gaps using a roller is best, especially between different adhesive applications. The adhesive from the first application may have already set, often causing the panels to lift.

Vinyl flooring is an ideal floor covering for rooms with many corners, supports, or other obstacles that require cutting.