Resilient Flooring

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Resilient flooring is so named because it is made from flexible synthetic materials. It is manufactured in rolled sheets as well as in several tile sizes. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain.

The most commonly used material is vinyl. It has the virtue of being resistant to scuffs, scratches and water. These features make it a good choice for large spaces and high-traffic areas such as hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. Most resilient floorings come with a semi-gloss no-wax finish.

Sheet Vinyl

This type of vinyl comes in 6-foot and 12-foot widths which makes it awkward to handle and to lay. Even a small error in cutting, preparing the subfloor, applying adhesive, or aligning edges can ruin a whole sheet of flooring. It is generally advisable to hire a professional to install it. Sheet vinyl comes in two grades:

• Inlaid Vinyl consists of layers of colored vinyl granules that are fused under heat and pressure. It is considered tops in durability and price. The patterns go all the way through to the back, so nicks and gouges from normal use are rarely noticeable. The only disadvantage of inlaid sheet vinyl is that it comes in only the 6-foot width, requiring one or more seams for most installations.
• Printed Vinyl or also known as ‘rotovinyl‘, is less expensive than inlaid vinyl, in part because the pattern is printed on the surface only. Factory-applied clear vinyl or polyurethane is added to protect the surface, with the thickness or the coating affecting the sturdiness and price of the sheeting. Nonetheless, printed vinyl is bound to show wear and tear sooner, and nicks will be more prominent than on inlaid vinyl. On the positive side, this category of resilient flooring comes in widths up to 12 feet which makes it seamless installation possible in most rooms. Pattern choices are also extensive. Manufacturers can mimic other materials such as marble and tile using a photography and print process.

Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles are a particularly good choice for do-it-yourself projects. They come in 9-, 12-, and sometimes even 36-inch squares. You can mix two or more colors to create custom borders and patterns because they are tiles. Many tiles have peel-and-stick adhesive backing. You can lay tiles directly on the underfloor if it is clean and smooth. Remember to always but extras as replacements for tiles that become damaged later. Tiles come in the same grades and with many of the advantages and disadvantages as sheet vinyl.

• Inlaid tiles are the most durable and expensive offerings in this group. They are colored though like inlaid sheets.
• Printed vinyl is less durable and less expensive but with a wide range of photographic colors and patterns.
• Composition tiles are a mixture of vinyl and other materials which makes it the least expensive of vinyl tiles.

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