Flooring is a huge investment, and you have to ensure you take good care of it. Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for many households, cafes, offices, and commercial applications. It is expensive to have vinyl plank flooring, and it has a life span of fifteen years. However, there are ways you can extend the life of your floor.
Can you put heavy furniture on vinyl plank flooring? The simple answer is yes. You can place heavy furniture on the floor though there are safety measures you need to observe. Otherwise, you may end up destroying your beautiful flooring.
Therefore, how do you protect your vinyl plank floor when you place heavy furniture on it? Read on to find out how to protect your floor, advantages of a vinyl plank floor, how to prolong its life and other topics that relate to these floors.
How to Prevent Heavy Furniture from Damaging Your Vinyl Floor
Well, the best thing you can use to protect your floor is non-slip furniture pads (see Amazon). These furniture pads are durable, and their design is specially made to preserve, bamboo floor, vinyl floor, laminate floor, and hardwood floors from furniture legs.
Fixing a vinyl floor is expensive, and that is the main reason for you to protect it. Ensure that all the heavy furniture has pads on the legs to keep the floor from scratches. Heavy furniture can discolor the floor and leave marks. Using furniture pads is a sure way to prevent this from happening.
The pads are of high quality and cheap at the same time. For this reason, you have no excuse to let your floor damage and spend a lot trying to fix it.
How to Protect Vinyl Plank Flooring
It is essential that you keep your floor as fresh and shining for as long as you possibly can. You can follow the following suggestions on protecting your floor for a long time.
- Protect the floor from exposure to the sun. So much sunlight will make reduce the lifespan of your floor as it causes fading.
- Wipe up any spills from your household as soon as you notice them. As much as vinyl flooring is resilient, you need to clean the spills immediately. Leaving the stain on the floor will cause a permanent stain.
- Vacuum, dust, sweep your floor daily.
- Use rugs and doormats to keep dust and debris from your floor. Avoid rubber rugs and mats that may cause permanent damage to your vinyl floor.
- When you are moving heavy appliances or furniture, use a plywood path and drag them there. This will ensure moving is more comfortable and will also protect your floor.
- After washing ensure that you get rid of all the soap
What to Avoid For Better Care Of Vinyl Floors
Even though vinyl needs a lot of ambience and maintenance, there are things you need to avoid, including the following:
- Avoid the use of abrasive scrubbing tools.
- Avoid vacuum cleaners that have beater bars and bristled brooms as they wear out the surface of the floor.
- Do not use harsh cleaners or shiny products that may leave a dull layer.
- Do not use solvent-based polishes or wax on your floor as it reduces the life span of the vinyl.
How to Keep Your Vinyl Plank Floors Clean
Cleaning your floor from time to time will keep them from scratches and dents. There are some of the ways to keep your floor clean so that it can last long:
- Use A Doormat
An important thing to note about the vinyl floor is how to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. A doormat will keep chemicals and dirt from the floor. Grit acts like sandpaper, and it will remove finishing from your floor. Though the naked eye cannot see it, it may stick to your shoe and then the floor. Over time, the floor will yellow.
- Sweep Frequently
The most significant way to keep the floor in top shape is to clean it n a regular basis. Get the dirt out quickly before it enters the spaces. Sweeping regularly is a sure way of having your floor looking new for a long time.
- Do Not Drench Your Vinyl
You need to keep in mind that water is not a good cleaner of vinyl floors. Water will find its way through the cracks, edges, and seems. Once the water is there, it can quickly destroy the bonds that hold the vinyl together, causing the corners to curl, or the whole floor to become loose.
Advantages of Having Vinyl Plank Floors
So, if you are planning to get your house floored with vinyl, below are some advantages that should encourage you to go for the flooring.
- Durability
Vinyl floors are durable and can handle large numbers of people stepping on them for a long time. For this reason, the floors have become very popular for commercial establishments and institutions. A busy environment will require a floor that lasts long and is sturdy.
- Cost Efficiency
Because of high durable they are, it means that the cost of vinyl floors is low. As a matter of fact, hardwood floors are much more expensive. It is a good substitute for tiling and other conventional floorings.
- Maintenance
Low maintenance cost is another advantage of these floors. They do not require constant attention as long as you keep them clean. It takes many impacts, is very resilient to abrasion, and you can use chemical strippers and mechanical buffing to clean it.
It can also handle humid environments and stays dust free for long.
- Replace And Remove
The vinyl tiles are comparatively easy to remove, and you can replace the ones that damage fast. The only thing that you have to remember is to install them in the right way so that if you need to remove them, it is secure.
Easy removal and replacement is one aspect that attracts many customers on these floors.
- Range Of Availability
The vinyl sheets are available in different patterns and styles. Most of these patterns look the same as stone, concrete, terrazzo, and some of the significant tiles. You cannot only notice the difference if you look very closely.
- Short Installation Time
It only takes a small amount of time to install vinyl floors. It is also a good material if you love DIY projects. Experts opine that you can install vinyl floors in about ten minutes saving a lot of time. An important aspect of vinyl floors is that you can install them on an existing floor of linoleum, making it a subfloor.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
When it comes to versatility, a few floors can beat vinyl floors. Moreover, few are as stylish, durable, easy to clean and maintain as vinyl floors. Below we will look at the different types of vinyl floors available.
- Vinyl Plank
The plank design gives your floors the appearance of hardwood at a cheaper cost. They are also easier to maintain and higher resistance to stains more than the hardwood floors. Even though the first reason for the invention of vinyl planks was to mimic hardwood floors, today it authentically mimics different textures, colors, and species.
Vinyl plank is water-resistant and is not like hardwood, which is not resistant to water. You can seal vinyl plank completely and prevents moisture from going into the floor.
- Vinyl Tile
Vinyl tiles are made up of squares of different sizes which when you assemble will give you the appearance of stone tile. One significant benefit of having individual tiles is that it is easy for you to replace it when it is damaged.
You can arrange the flooring of your desired pattern. Using the peel-and-stick, you can transform the transformations of your vinyl tile. To get the visual more realistic, you can add grout to fill between the tiles.
- Luxury Vinyl Tile
Luxury vinyl tile or LVT will give you the same stylish trends as those of hardwood planks and natural stone. From rustic, traditional, and exotic woods to the modern design inspired by petrified wood, you will find this look at a high price.
Another advantage of LVT is that it is softer and warmer underfoot, and it will not cost you so much.
- Hybrid Vinyl Planks
They combine laminate flooring with the best vinyl together to produce the hybrid. It is an affordable option for residential and commercial spaces.
- WPC Vinyl Planks
WPC is a mixture of vinyl, plastic, and wood. It is waterproof, highly durable, and has a click-lock installation that is DIY friendly.
Related Questions
Tips To Consider After Installation
Once you are done with the installation, you can follow the following steps to keep the floor looking good.
- Give it time to dry before you place any furniture on the floor.
- When using vinyl tiles, wipe out any information using a damp sponge.
- Ensure you keep the temperature at 65 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 48 hours. This temperature allows for the proper bonding of all the products.
Which is the best floor cleaner for vinyl plank flooring?
Cider vinegar is among the best cleaners for vinyl floors. The acidity of this vinegar removes grime and dirt without the build-up of wax.
Does vinyl plank flooring require an expansion gap?
When you are installing the vinyl floors, you should leave an expansion gap that will allow for expansion and contraction.
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