Choosing the best vinyl sheet flooring is relatively simple, providing that you make sure you properly research and evaluate the type of flooring you are considering for your home. When choosing vinyl flooring options, things you will want to consider include its durability, how difficult it is to maintain, and how easy it is to install.

If you are planning on having the flooring professionally installed, the ease of installation is not necessarily that large of a factor. Professional installers will have the experience necessary to make sure that the vinyl sheet flooring is put in properly, so you may have more flooring options available than if you planned on installing it yourself. If professional installation is not an option, choosing a flooring that is easy to install is the best option, even if it narrows down the options available.

Another important factor to consider is the durability of the flooring. Vinyl sheet flooring comes with one of three coatings applied to its surface, which can affect how durable it is and how long it will last. Flooring with a vinyl no-wax coating provides little protection to the laminate and is only suitable for low traffic areas. A urethane coating offers more protection, and is suitable for those areas with normal to heavy traffic. Flooring that is coated with enhanced urethane is the most durable and is best suited for those high traffic areas that are used frequently.

The best vinyl sheet flooring is also the flooring that is the easiest to maintain. Some types of laminate can be damaged if they are cleaned with certain chemicals, making them high-maintenance. Others require a wax coating to maintain their beauty and shine, which make them high-maintenance as well. A good vinyl flooring is one that can be kept clean with just sweeping and mopping with water and a mild cleansing solution.

Other things to consider when choosing flooring are the type of backing it has and what type of adhesive will be needed to install it. Backing should be moisture and mildew resistant to prevent the sub-flooring from becoming damaged. Avoid flooring that requires hard to find adhesives to be installed, particularly if the installation is not going to be done by a professional.

Sheet vinyl flooring is installed using several methods. While some types of vinyl flooring can be installed with no adhesive in a method called loose laying, the majority of vinyl flooring installations require the use of some type of sheet vinyl adhesive or glue. The actual adhesive product used is determined by the preferred method of installation. The two major categories of sheet vinyl adhesive are perimeter bond adhesive and fully bonded adhesive.

Fully bonded adhesive is the technical term for sheet vinyl glue that is applied to the entire sub-floor surface before installing the vinyl sheet. By applying the flooring adhesive in this manner, the entire vinyl sheet is permanently attached to the sub-floor. This method is commonly used in flooring installation because it allows for a wider margin of installer error and makes it possible to use lower priced, thinner vinyl sheet products in permanent installations.

Perimeter bonded adhesive is used for higher quality vinyl flooring products or for temporary installations. In perimeter bonding, only the outside edges of the area where the vinyl sheet is to be installed are covered with sheet vinyl glue. In some cases, the perimeter of the vinyl is also stapled close to the walls, where trim pieces will hide the staples. The added step of stapling the vinyl flooring product to the subfloor serves to ensure that the vinyl will not pull away from the glue as a result of thermal expansion.

Both fully bonded and perimeter bonded adhesive installations use a trowelable glue. Flooring manufacturers often recommend specific adhesive products and may even require vinyl sheet to be installed using a certain brand of sheet vinyl adhesive and a specific installation method for warranty coverage to be valid. In many cases, the adhesive used for both perimeter bonded and fully bonded installations may be the same.

Safety is a primary concern when applying sheet vinyl adhesive products to flooring installations. Sheet vinyl adhesive can take up to 24 hours to cure and bond properly. Before curing, sheet vinyl adhesive is very slippery and serious injury can occur from stepping on the exposed glue or vinyl flooring that has not yet bonded to the sub-floor. When using any sheet vinyl glue product, it is also important to remember that the chemicals in the adhesive can give off harmful fumes, cause skin irritation and may be flammable. To safely install vinyl flooring with these products, one must eliminate possible sources of ignition, including cigarettes, heaters and pilot lights, provide adequate ventilation and have appropriate protective gear.

Sheet flooring is a popular option for home floor coverings today. Generally considered a viable alternative to tile, the use of sheeting is sometimes less expensive, while also providing durability and an attractive appearance for many years after installation. The two most common forms of sheet flooring are composed of vinyl or linoleum.

Linoleum sheet flooring is often considered one of the more environmentally friendly forms of floor covering. Constructed with the use of linseed oil that is converted into a solid, then mixed with cork dust or wood flour, the sheeting is often backed with burlap or canvas. The end result is a sturdy flooring option that can hold up to a great deal of foot traffic over an extended period of time.

In addition to linoleum flooring, vinyl flooring is also produced in sheets. While manufactured with the use of mainly synthetic materials, vinyl sheet flooring offers many of the same advantages as linoleum. Generally, vinyl will be slightly more expensive than linoleum, and there is some difference of opinion as to whether vinyl holds up as well as linoleum.

With both types of sheet flooring, modern construction methods have made it possible to choose from a wide range of colors and patterns. Where colors were once applied to the surface in order to create the color scheme and the pattern for the sheeting, it is possible today to have the colors permeate throughout the material. In addition, both types of sheet flooring are often sealed with a laminate, giving them a sheen that is very similar to that of laminate flooring made from wood or some sort of stone.

While vinyl and linoleum sheet flooring are both durable, there are some basic safeguards to be observed once the flooring is in place. Linoleum and vinyl are both waterproof, but the adhesives used to secure them to the floor are not. Should water manage to get under the sheeting somehow, the adhesive is likely to weaken, allowing the sheeting to curl around the edges or at any seam where two sections of sheeting were joined. In addition, vinyl is usually not a good option for use on stairs, but will work very well on smooth surfaces.

Both types of sheet flooring can be purchased at a number of retail outlets. Many discount retail stores will carry the sheeting in limited quantities and styles. Home remodeling stores will usually have a wider selection and will sell the sheeting for a flat price per linear unit. This makes it possible to secure a sheet that is as long as required for your space.

When removing vinyl flooring from a kitchen, bathroom or other room of the home, is important to consider the age of the flooring, whether you are removing a rug or tiles, and the nature of the adhesive that is holding the flooring in place. Generally, it is a simple task to remove flooring of this type and prepare the floor to receive new tile or some other kind of replacement flooring. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, the task can be accomplished in three to four hours at the most.

Before you begin the task of removing vinyl flooring, make sure you have some idea of how old the existing floor covering actually is. If you suspect that the vinyl floor dates back to before 1970, there is a good chance the product was made using asbestos. To protect yourself, make sure to wear a face mask that will prevent you from accidentally inhaling any small particles that may become airborne as you pry up the vinyl sheet or tile. Remember to wear protective clothing as well. If you do not want to run the risk of exposure to the asbestos, have the flooring professionally removed.

For any vinyl tile and sheeting that was manufactured after 1970, you can generally wear a face mask only to protect yourself from dust and other particles. Other flooring tools you will need include a hammer, crowbar, utility knife, and a trowel. You will also need cleaning agents to remove any residue that may be left after the flooring is removed, such as glue spots or small sections where the backing stuck to the floor.

If you are removing vinyl flooring that was installed in sheets, you may find that the edges of the sheets were tacked into place using finishing tacks. To remove the sheeting, use the utility knife to score the rug, effectively creating smaller sections you can work with. Always score away from your body to avoid the chance of injury. Pull each section away from the tacks, then use the hammer to remove the tacks from the underlying floor.

When you are removing vinyl flooring that was installed in tiles, use the trowel and crowbar to free the old tile from the underlying floor. In some cases, the trowel will be enough to break through the underlying adhesive and allow you to free a whole tile at a time. Older tiles are more likely to split, which may cause the job to go a little slower. If a tile or section of a tile is particularly resistant, use the crowbar to gain greater leverage.

After removing vinyl flooring from the bathroom or kitchen floor, your next step is to address any lingering traces of the flooring adhesive. There are a number of compounds that can be applied to the floor surface that will soften the dried adhesive. Most of these will do the job in an hour or so, making it possible for you to use the trowel to scoop up the softened mass and remove it from the area. Once the floor has dried, you can use a buffer to smooth the surface, then mop using a standard cleaning agent. This will effectively prepare the floor to receive the new floor covering you have selected.

There are many advantages associated with a sheet vinyl floor. Some advantages include the quality of the floor, the variety of colors and styles available, and the characteristics of the floor. Vinyl flooring is also durable and is able to repel dirt and resist scuffing. In addition, the floor’s moisture resistant properties can make cleaning spills easier. Sheet vinyl floors are also easily maintained, adding yet another advantage.

One characteristic of a sheet vinyl floor that makes them so attractive to different people is that they are easier on a person’s feet than other types of floors. Sheet vinyl floors have some cushioning which can help keep glasses from breaking when dropped on them. In addition, vinyl floors are often slip-resistant, making them a good choice for healthcare applications. The floors can also help to reduce noise in an area.

A sheet vinyl floor also tends to be cheaper than other types of flooring, although this varies. Related to the cost of a sheet vinyl floor is the quality. Though it tends to be cheaper than other types of floors, lower costing vinyl tends to be of lower quality while more expensive vinyl is of better quality. Lower quality floors can last for ten years, while higher quality vinyl floors can last for thirty years or more. Both high and low quality vinyl floor have a wear layer, but the more expensive layers will have a thicker wear layer than the cheaper versions.

Maintenance of a sheet vinyl floor also tends to be easy. A simple sweeping or mopping is generally all the floor needs. Thus, the only tools that are needed are a broom, a rag, and a mop. It should be noted, however, that no abrasives should be used to clean the floor. Using abrasives can lead to scratching.

Many people also like the variety of colors and styles that vinyl sheet flooring is available in. This allows it to be used in many places in the home. Some places include the bathroom and the kitchen. It can also mimic the appearance of other flooring materials. Therefore, it is able to match virtually any décor.