In this article, you can learn about the main options you have available to you in vinyl bathroom flooring products. Vinyl floors most commonly come in these types.
Vinyl Tile Floors (self-stick)Vinyl Tile Flooring (glue-down)Vinyl Plank Flooring (self-stick)Vinyl Sheet Flooring (loose lay or glue down)
Resilient Vinyl Tile Flooring (Self-Stick)
Characteristics
Self-stick vinyl tile flooring is durable, affordable, and is a good choice for bathroom or kitchen flooring use. It comes in a vast array of styles such as geometric patterns and realistic wood, stone and ceramic looks. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and maintain if it has a urethane wear layer. Lives of these floors may range from five to 20 years depending on the quality of the tile and quality of the installation.
Construction
The construction of vinyl tile flooring generally consists of these elements:
Urethane or similar wear layer (used on premium tiles)Protective clear film layer for durability and protection from rips and tearsPrinted and sometimes embossed design layer, which can range from realistic-looking natural materials to unique patternsVinyl tile backing layer providing tile structure, strength, and durability
Installation Difficulty
Easy
Installation Method
Self-stick adhesive protected by a removable plastic sheet.
Vinyl Flooring Tile (Glue-Down)
Characteristics
Vinyl tile flooring is durable, affordable, and comes in a vast array of styles such as geometric patterns and realistic wood, stone, and ceramic looks. Vinyl tile flooring is easy to clean and maintain if it has a urethane wear layer. It may be used as bathroom flooring or kitchen flooring. The lives of these floors may range from five to 20 years depending on the quality of the tile and quality of the installation.
Construction
The construction of vinyl tile generally consists of these elements:
Urethane or similar wear layer (used on premium tiles)Protective clear film layer for durability and protection from rips and tearsPrinted and sometimes embossed design layer which can range from realistic-looking natural materials to unique patternsThe vinyl tile flooring backing layer provides tile structure, strength, and durability
Installation Difficulty
Intermediate
Installation
Follow the vinyl tile bathroom flooring instructions for assistance.
Vinyl Plank Flooring (Self-Stick)
Characteristics
Allure floating vinyl plank flooring is a great vinyl floor product for bathroom or kitchen flooring when installed properly, but a failure of the adhesive strips may occur if not properly acclimated before installation to room temperature above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike self-stick vinyl tiles which have 100 percent adhesive under the tile, this floating plank vinyl flooring is adhered only at the edges, dependent upon on just 10 percent of plank area for adhesion. Plank vinyl flooring sold under the name Trafficmaster Allure is durable, very affordable, and easy to install as it floats over the subfloor. It also comes in a broad variety of realistic wood, stone, and ceramic looks for great bathroom flooring or kitchen flooring options. It is easy to clean and maintain and comes with a 25-year limited warranty (based on the proper installation). Like any product, the life of the floor will depend on the quality of the installation and in this case also depends on proper acclimation to an acceptable temperature range in the space before, during and after installation. ConstructionIt’s made of 4-millimeter (thin) urethane wear layer. Its patterned vinyl upper layer and vinyl under-layer are offset 1 inch creating an adhesive edge along two sides of each flexible plank.
Installation Difficulty
Easy
Installation
Follow the vinyl plank bathroom flooring instructions for assistance.
Sheet Vinyl Flooring (Loose Lay or Glue Down)
Characteristics
Sheet vinyl flooring has long been a favorite in homes for areas receiving heavy use such as the bathroom or kitchen. It is durable, affordable, and comes in a large variety of styles such as geometric patterns and realistic wood, stone and ceramic looks. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean and maintain if it has a urethane wear layer and is a great choice for bathroom flooring. Sheet vinyl floors can also last much longer than vinyl tile. The life of a sheet vinyl floor may range from 20 to 30 years depending on the quality of the vinyl flooring and quality of the installation, compared to five to 20 years for a vinyl tile floor.
Construction
Sheet vinyl flooring typically comes in 6- and 12-foot rolls. The construction of sheet vinyl generally consists of these elements:
Urethane or similar wear layerProtective clear film layer for durability and protection from rips and tearsPrinted and sometimes embossed design layer which can range from realistic-looking natural materials to unique patternsFelt or fiberglass backing layer providing structure, strength, and durability
Installation Difficulty
Advanced
Installation
Follow the sheet vinyl bathroom flooring instructions for assistance.
