Vinyl is amongst the most popular flooring options, thanks to its water-resistant property, cost-effectiveness, long lifespan, and low maintenance. It also has a perfect balance of comfort and firmness. With the advancement of technology, vinyl is even better. It is now available in different finishes as well as a wide range of types and qualities. Just like fine wine, it seems to get better with time.
There are two sides to the material, however. Similar to its numerous advantages, vinyl also packs with it a number of disadvantages. For instance, the material is susceptible to breakage, un-ideal for outdoor use, and not recommended for bathrooms. These are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its disadvantages.
So, is vinyl flooring worth the investment? What are some of the downsides that you can expect from it? In our article, we look at some of the disadvantages of vinyl flooring. By the end of it, you should be able to make up your mind about it. Read along!
Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring?
Presence of Asbestos
Old vinyl produced up to the 1980s included asbestos in their construction. Why is this a problem? Well, asbestos has been linked to some serious illnesses such as cancer. Their presence exposes you to contaminating the diseases. If the vinyl used in your floor is in this time bracket and is in perfect condition, then you should be afraid.
This means that the asbestos has been trapped inside which increases the risk of you acquiring cancer. You may opt to replace your entire floor to avoid this. Before you undertake this process, however, you can test to check whether the floor contains asbestos. There are asbestos testing kits designed for this specific function.
If the test comes back positive for asbestos, you need to contact a professional to remove and replace the floor for you. This is one of the biggest disadvantages of vinyl flooring.
Inconsistent Quality
Second, on our list of disadvantages of vinyl flooring is inconsistent quality. Even though vinyl brands such as lumber liquidators and Armstrong are amongst the highest vinyl quality, the same cannot be said about the others. The thickness of vinyl varies from two to eight millimeters. Thin vinyl is prone to damage and indentation. Thicker vinyl, on the other hand, boasts of great stability and cushioning.
The thin vinyl is unsuitable for use in the bathroom. Vinyl is water-resistant but not waterproof. It, therefore, cannot be immersed inside water. The inconsistency in the quality makes it a big turn off for many homeowners.
Difficult to remove
Although installing vinyl is an easy DIY project, the same cannot be said about removing it. Replacing vinyl, thus, becomes a hassle. Once the glue in vinyl sticks to the floor, removing it becomes difficult. Fortunately, removing it doesn’t necessarily require a professional (although this is highly recommended) but it is all about elbow grease.
Follow these simple steps:
- Remove all the baseboards and furniture in the room
- Cut the vinyl into twelve-inch strips. Pull the flooring strip by strip afterward.
- If it resists, use a hammer and a chisel or scraper tool to chip away the hardened glue.
- Mix a solution of liquid dish soap and water. Apply it to the floorboard to remove all the remaining glue. Wait for about 30 minutes so that it can soften. You can now scrap it off.
- Vacuum the debris before re-instating your furniture
Other Disadvantages of Vinyl Flooring Include:
- Difficult to recycle and not eco-friendly.
- May emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
- Less durable as compared to wood
Do The Disadvantages Of Vinyl Outweigh Its Advantages?
There you have it- the major disadvantages of vinyl flooring. Although not many, it is evident that the cons have dented the image of vinyl. Nonetheless, vinyl still remains the best option to decorate your floor. Its style, beauty, and design are unmatchable. Is vinyl still worthy of your purchase? There is only one method to settle the argument- weigh in on the pros and cons.
Vinyl floors are difficult to remove due to the presence of glue which firmly sticks on the floorboard. One the other case, installing it is relatively quick and easy. It is DIY–friendly and you may not require any assistance. Secondly, even though vinyl’s quality can be inconsistent, it is highly affordable, beautiful, and unique. One look at it and you’ll fall in love with it.
Finally, old vinyl floors that were designed using asbestos are linked to serious diseases such as cancer. When cared for properly, however, all this can be avoided. Good maintenance is key with vinyl.
Conclusion
As seen, every disadvantage to vinyl is diluted with an impeccable feature. Even though the disadvantages of vinyl flooring are evident, they can still be avoided. It is normal for any material to have both advantages and disadvantages, and vinyl is just one of these. Do the disadvantages of vinyl flooring outweigh their advantages? We don’t think so. Vinyl still remains to be the prodigy of the flooring industry.