Luxury Vinyl vs Standard Vinyl, Major Differences
Luxury Vinyl vs Standard Vinyl, Major Differences
Throughout the years, vinyl flooring was considered the best choice for locations where moisture and stain resistance were a problem, areas like bathrooms or laundry rooms. Standard vinyl is made from a thin layer of printed vinyl, a design layer covered with a protective coating; it feels hard underfoot, especially when installed on a concrete surface.
Due to this, manufacturers designed a new form of vinyl known as luxury vinyl flooring. This type of flooring is sold in semi-rigid planks or tiles installed using the same edges found in laminate flooring. Luxury vinyl was introduced in the 1970s; however, it was not until the 1980s that it was considered flooring material. Now, it is considered the best second-tier option after hardwood and ceramic.
The Major Differences Between Standard Vinyl vs Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
- Standard vinyl flooring is normally sold in flexible sheets and sometimes in squared tiles.
- Standard vinyl is created with a thin backing layer of fibreglass, then a thin layer of solid vinyl is bonded. The vinyl layer is printed with a design that later is covered with a protective transparent coating. Standard vinyl is flexible and thin, with a thickness of 10 to 15mm.
- Luxury vinyl instead, very different from standard vinyl. Luxury vinyl is sold in multiple planks with a range of 2 to 8 mm in thickness. This level of thickness makes luxury vinyl planks much thicker than standard vinyl, which gives it a strong semi-rigid nature.
- Luxury vinyl is made of six to eight layers of material. These layers include a clear layer at the top to add shine. This clear wear layer securely protects the design, a beautiful design layer with the printed image, a cushion layer of foam that makes it comfortable to walk on, a fibreglass backing layer, and a solid PVC backing layer to add to give strength and rigidity.
Luxury Vinyl In The UK
Are you looking for luxury vinyl in the UK? Homes and Floors specializes in all kinds of flooring made with the best quality material. At Homes and Floors in the UK, we are here to help you; we will guide you to decide the best style for your house that adapts to your budget.
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