Vinyl Plank Flooring vs. Vinyl Sheet Flooring: Which Is Right for You?

One of the most popular flooring options which incidentally is waterproof, dimensionally stable and available in a range of textures and finishes is Vinyl. What makes vinyl flooring the first choice of commercial and residential property owners is its form factor. Vinyl based flooring is sold as -

Roll / sheet form.

Plank ( In several textures and thicknesses ).

So, which one is right for you? For that, we need to compare the advantages and the disadvantages of vinyl based sheet flooring and vinyl plank flooring.

COST -

It is pretty obvious that vinyl sheet flooring will cost less as several manufacturing steps involved in slicing sheet into planks are completely circumvented. Fewer processes translate into savings. On the other hand, vinyl based planks need to be cut, chamfered / bevelled, embedded with "click-lock" mechanism or coated with adhesive. This leads to increase in cost which ultimately is borne by the buyer.

Tip - If you are on a shoestring budget roll /sheet form vinyl flooring makes sense.

INSTALLATION -

Installing vinyl based sheet flooring requires technical crew / specialists. On the other hand, vinyl plank flooring can be installed as a DIY project. These planks are available in glue-down, floating or click-lock variations. Planks offer a hassle-free and a clean way of setting up. On the flip side it does take time to lay them on the floor. The time taken to finish the task depends on how creatively it has been arranged.

Tip - If you want to install vinyl flooring yourself then go for planks instead of sheet.

FINISH -

Although vinyl based sheets are installed by specialists, over a period of time, it may warp or form bubbles, depending on where it is installed, human and human related activities, the area in terms of square feet and how well it has been taken care of.  Vinyl plank flooring due to its inherent ( smaller ) size and stronger locking system / fixing material, tends to remain stable even in adverse ambience and high human traffic areas.

Tip – Vinyl based planks are ideal for areas which are exposed to various kinds of direct and indirect abuse.

MAINTENANCE -

While vinyl sheet flooring is easy to sweep, mop or dry clean, it turns into a costly proposition in case a part or a section of the flooring has formed cracks or bubbles. This is certainly not a DIY job. Even if a specialist replaces the damaged portion, it may never offer the old appearance, a similar granular / pattern continuity. Changing the entire flooring will turn into a pricey affair. Planks on the other hand are easy to replace. Moreover, even if the replaced planks have different grains / patterns it makes little difference to the overall aesthetics.

Tip - Opt for planks if you are concerned about post installation / maintenance cost.

LOOKS / APPEARANCE -

Roll form vinyl flooring tends to look cheap, unappealing and unreal. In contrast, planks with its distinct pattern / texture look attractive when laid out creatively. To a naked eye planks appears genuine wood / stone, depending on the chosen texture. If you are a fan of hardwood or pricey natural stones but running short on budget, then vinyl based planks is your perfect alternative.

Tip - If you want the flooring to look natural, authentic then opt for planks.

Choice of vinyl flooring whether sheet or plank is a matter of personal taste and budget. However, as a property owner, make sure you follow the above pointers to make an informed decision. For more details and support connect with Responsive Industries' technical team.