Choosing the flooring in your house is one of such things, which seem easy to decide but soon become difficult. The number of choices is so vast: tiles, laminate, hardwood, carpet and then in the category of vinyl flooring, you have several types, thicknesses and styles to consider.
The good news? Vinyl flooring has developed a long way. It is no longer an affordable alternative. It is today among the most popular flooring options in South African homes and it has all the justification. Vinyl is up to the challenge whether it be Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban, the climate, the people on the street, the daily commotion and chaos of a home life is all manageable.
This will be a simple list of the most suitable vinyl flooring to use in South Africa houses and, as such, you will be better placed to choose what fits your place.
PVC Vinyl Sheet Flooring - The All Rounder.
This is your typical vinyl flooring, delivered in huge rolls or sheets and placed onto the wall to wall and sealed with thermal welding and the finish is entirely seamless. It is what majority of the population envisions when they imagine vinyl flooring.
Vinyl sheet products such as Wonderfloor series by Amari Trading PVC sheet are homogeneous (using the same material all the way through) in thickness of 2mm and is a solid surface (not for example using a layer of a different surface directly at the top). This is what makes it durable. It is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal as well as scratch-resistant thus making it a great choice in the kitchen, bathroom and even in the rooms that receive a lot of traffic and have a lot of moisture.
Best in: Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and open living spaces where you would like a clean and continuous floor surface.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) - That Wood Look Without the Work.
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is the solution when you like the appearance of the hardwood floor but do not want to spend money on it and to maintain it. It is made to look like actual wood just like real wood would look, with real textures, grain, and finishes that one initially can hardly tell the difference between these items and the real wood.
LVP planks assemble using a simple lock system and are therefore easy and quick to install compared to the conventional sheet vinyl. They are completely waterproof, scratchproof and warmer to walk upon than tile, which counts a lot on cold morning winter Johannesburg. The majority of LVP alternatives also feature a lengthy residential warranty, extending to 20 years.
Best Place: Living rooms, bedrooms and even dining areas where you would wish to have a warm and stylish look or appearance and yet be practical.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) The Stone and Tile Look, Done Better.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) mimics stone and ceramic in the same way that LVP mimics wood, it looks and feels like the original, at less than half the price, and is not as hard or chilly to stand on. You have the beautiful look of either marble or slate, but it is a lot less warmer, quieter, and easier to keep clean.
It is common in Cape Town residential properties whereby the coastal design is frequently inclined towards stone in its appearance. And since it is made of vinyl, it stands the humidity cool like tiles in closed bathrooms or coastal houses that sometimes just cannot cope with it.
Outstanding Place: The bathrooms and kitchens and other places of rest where you will desire the classiness of stone but not the cold or the high prices.
SPC Vinyl (Stone Plastic Composite)-- Serious Durability.
One of the more recent inventions in the flooring industry that should be known is SPC vinyl. It consists of a limestone-based core and layers of vinyl so as to produce a very rigid and dimensionally stable floor. It does not bend or even bend under large pieces of furniture, it does not react negatively to any changes in temperature, and it is completely waterproof.
Where the season changes can cause floors to expand and contract like the season (such as in warmer regions of the inland areas of South Africa, such as Johannesburg), SPC vinyl is much better at retaining its shape than standard vinyl planks. It also works well in houses that have pets or little children - it can actually be beaten to death.
Best used: Family homes with high traffic, family homes with pets and any room subjected to the variation of temperatures or heavy usage.
What Vinyl Flooring Do You want in your house?
The following is a shortcut to thinking about it:
You desire low upkeep and cleaning: Have PVC vinyl sheet flooring - the smooth outline does not provide any spots where dirt or bacteria can be concealed.
You like a wood-like warm style: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) will provide you with the appearance of the natural style, without the maintenance.
You desire something with a sleek appearance of stone: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is the smarter and the more comfortable version of ceramic or stone.
You herd want it to last as long as possible in a busy home, SPC vinyl will be the best flooring that will not fail you.
The case of why the South African homes should consider vinyl flooring.
The climate in South Africa changes a great deal, this is because in Durban the climate is very humid, in Johannesburg it is extremely hot and dry in the highveld, and in Cape Town it is incredibly wet in the winters. Vinyl handles all of it. It does not shrink during a rainy spell, does not splinter under the sun, and has no moisture absorbing qualities. That is a large reason it has become so popular among local homeowners.
To accompany that, it is actually cheap. You will have the appearance of wood or stone at a price that is sensible - you do not lose out on quality or durability. And unlike tiling or hardwood, vinyl is friendly to the feet, and cheaper and considerably quicker to put in.