How Durable are Vinyl Floors?

Many homeowners are eager to improve the look of their homes, but they’re interested in more than just beauty. They want something durable that’s going to stand the test of time. After all, flooring of any kind is a major investment. You don’t want to have to replace it a year or two from now. If you’re considering new floors, you might be wondering: how durable are vinyl floors?

This is one of the most common questions that we hear again and again from savvy shoppers. It’s affordable, but is luxury vinyl plank flooring going to hold up?

There’s good news if you’ve been thinking about investing in vinyl floors. Here is what you need to know to put your mind at ease about your investment.

Great for Areas with Water

One of the reasons people are turning to vinyl flooring more than ever before is because it’s marketed as being a waterproof floor. Vinyl can indeed stand up to more water than laminate flooring and even wood flooring. While it’s ill-advised to leave standing water on your floor for longer than 72 hours, it can handle more splashes and spills than many other flooring types.

This makes it great for high-traffic areas that are prone to lots of water like full bathrooms, kitchens, and even laundry rooms.

For those homeowners who have pets or little kids who often make messes with water, vinyl might be a better bet than a hardwood floor. Hardwood can become discolored and warped with standing water around dog bowls, bathtubs, or kitchen sinks. Ceramic tile used to be the best option in these situations, but it can be cold and doesn’t give the same warm appeal of hardwood.

Now, vinyl can stand up to routine spills as long as you wipe them up upon noticing them. You get the look of a hardwood floor without the maintenance and risk of damage.

We talk more about how waterproof vinyl flooring really is in our previous blog post: Are Vinyl Floors Truly Waterproof?

Durable Construction with Vinyl Flooring 

Many luxury vinyl plank flooring options are made with a stone polymer composite core (better known as SPC). This core is extremely dense and durable which makes vinyl floors less susceptible to dents and dings from dropped items, especially compared to laminate flooring or softer hardwood flooring.

Think of it this way: what happens when you drop a book or something heavy onto a vinyl floor?

If it has an SPC core (sometimes also referred to as a rigid core), you may not see any damage at all. That’s not to say that it’s impossible to dent or that it’s completely bulletproof. You should still take care to treat your floor with respect.

However, it can hold up under much greater wear and tear than even wood-plastic composite core (WPC) vinyl floors. Vinyl sheet flooring of the past might have been damaged beyond repair when it tore after dropping something sharp or heavy, but now you have options not only for more durable flooring but for future repairs.

Look for Great Wear Layers

Luxury vinyl flooring (including both vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile) is often categorized by its wear layer which is what shields the floor from everyday wear and tear. Making sure that the flooring you select has a thick and durable wear layer is one of the best things you can do when shopping.

Consider looking for a vinyl floor that has a 12- to 20-mil wear layer.

While you can sometimes get away with thinner wear layers on budget projects, they might not be as durable as those with superior wear layers or finishes. Keep in mind that the wear layer is what separates the image on your floor from the actual traffic that crosses it.

If it gets scratched, it should impact your wear layer rather than the surface image of your floor.

Even with a thicker wear layer, you should still use caution not to abuse your floor. It can and will scratch with enough pressure and consistent wear and tear. Unlike hardwood floors with a thicker wear layer, luxury vinyl floors cannot be sanded and refinished. Instead, you will need to replace a board which can be a tricky prospect for homeowners who want to take a DIY approach.

Get Help Choosing Your Flooring with the Woodboys Experts

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of choosing a new flooring material for your home? Whether you’re looking for a vinyl plank floor or a wood floor, Woodboys is here to help you make the right decision for your unique home and circumstances. Come visit our Ladson showroom to see a broad range of options or schedule a free in-home estimate to have our mobile showroom come to you!