Pros & Cons Of Vinyl Flooring In Singapore

Vinyl flooring is available in the market in either sheet or tile form. Probably the least expensive form of flooring, vinyl is quite popular among homeowners as it offers great value for money. Vinyl tiles come in a wide range of colors, styles, and designs and are equally easy to install, more so if they have a self-adhesive peel-to-stick backing. There is also sheet vinyl, which can be very difficult to install and may require a seasoned professional for perfect fitting. Generally, before choosing any type of vinyl for your floors, you should consider all its pros and cons to ensure that you get the best deal.

Vinyl Flooring Pros

It’s no secret that vinyl floors provide a softer surface than other typically hard flooring materials such as wood or tiles. This is because they are often backed with a layer of either foam or felt. The thin, soft layer gives the floor more flexibility and makes it easier to stand on for longer periods of time.

As aforementioned, vinyl tiles come in large assortments of colors and designs, with some even mimicking the look of wood planks or stone tiles. In some instances, the resemblance is so close that one can hardly tell the difference between a vinyl product and a stone vinyl.

Vinyl is fairly durable and long-lasting, and so you don’t have to worry about fast-wearing rates. Most manufacturers in the market are often also willing to stand by their products with warranties of up to 20 years. Basically, though, well-maintained vinyl flooring can last for over 25 years.

Vinyl floors are also very water and dirt resistant, making them one of the few floor types that can be installed directly over a subfloor or previous linoleum/vinyl installation without requiring dismantling first. Additionally, it serves the purpose of a floor with lots of cracks or movement.

In terms of cleaning and maintenance, vinyl is your best bet as it requires absolutely no kind of post-installation maintenance. To keep your vinyl floor clean, all you have to do is to sweep and occasionally mop it.

Vinyl Flooring Cons

The biggest problem with vinyl flooring is that it is manufactured using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and thus it emits VOC (volatile organic compounds) into the air more so when it’s still new. VOC always lowers indoor air quality hence affecting quite a number of sensitive respiratory systems. The good news, however, is that most vinyl manufacturers have resorted to using less PVC in the production of these flooring products.

While the installation process for vinyl is relatively simple, the problem comes in the pre-installation stage when one has to get the subfloor ready. Remember that the subfloor needs to be cleared of all particles for the tiles to look neat and uniform.

Vinyl flooring may well prevent a glass object from breaking when accidentally dropped on it, but it may not be so in case a sharp object is dropped as it can gouge the surface. You equally have to install pads on the feet of your furniture pieces so that they don’t prop off the tile as when you move them around during house cleaning.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to install vinyl flooring or not lies with you depending on your budget, the room in which the flooring is to be installed, and your expectations.

Is Vinyl Flooring Suitable in Singapore?

Are you building your first house or perhaps renovating? Have you been visiting home depots, and your hands are full of brochures for the perfect tiles, paint, decors, and fixtures?

Looking for suitable tiles to fit your home theme is not an easy feat. There are dozens to choose from, and it is pretty overwhelming. There are different factors to consider before purchasing. We bet you did endless research and sleepless nights discussing with your family to have a consensus.

In Singapore, there are nine most common types of flooring and these are just the most common types. There are also uncommon vinyl types available in the market if you want to try out other unique floorings.

Choosing from several options might be stressing you out right now. So, here’s our take on using vinyl flooring in Singapore.

What is vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring is one of the most used floorings in different homes in Singapore. It’s one of the most affordable in the market. And, despite its affordability, it is also one of the most durable choices there is.

This flooring is composed of synthetic PVC material, and it has dramatically improved over the year, making it water-resistant, and it is also known to be slip-resistant.

Before using it for flooring, there are other uses for vinyl. It was not until the 1860s that they used it as a flooring type in the search to make a durable, easy-to-use, and affordable type of flooring.

Why vinyl flooring in Singapore?

It suits many areas of your home.

Many houses, apartments, and condominiums in Singapore have vinyl flooring. One of the best things about having it is that you can use them in almost all areas of your home. You can use it in your rooms, kitchen floors, or hallways. If you are looking for a flooring type that could match the overall theme of your place, don’t miss out on the chance to use vinyl flooring.

Several designs to choose from

Design-wise, vinyl floorings have a wide selection of designs to choose from that can give your house the texture you wanted based on your selected theme or idea.

Choosing high-quality vinyl flooring

With the latest innovation in vinyl floorings, vinyl floorings are almost at par with the most expensive type of flooring. It is perfect for nearly all weather. It can withstand cold and tropical climates. It is safer than marble tiles for your kids. These tiles are ideal for families with kids that throw food and draw on the floor. Vinyl tiles are also stain-proof. In fact, your kids can help clean this type of flooring almost immediately; you don’t need extra hands to do it.

How long can vinyl flooring last?

If installed and maintained correctly, vinyl floorings can last up to 20 years! No need for you to refurbish now and then, which is cost-efficient. One of its advantages is that you can install it easily! You can do it yourself following specific instructions.

The downside of vinyl flooring

However, there’s a little downside to using vinyl. The disadvantage of this flooring is that it would be difficult to adjust once it is glued and placed down, so you should be cautious during its installation. Better yet, seek professional assistance. If your floor has dents, bumps, or any irregularities, the vinyl flooring will wear down once installed.

Also, vinyl flooring can’t take extreme temperatures, such as your porch or verandas, or direct sunlight. Vinyl is better installed indoors.

Types of vinyl you can consider

Vinyl flooring has various types that you can check out. You can consider the following if you are located in Singapore:

• Vinyl tiles and sheets use the glue technique for installation and have different designs, such as marble and stone-like features. This type is the most affordable among the different types of vinyl flooring.

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) are a high-end type of vinyl flooring. LVT has the most water-resistant and thick vinyl flooring that is comfortable for your family. LVT is the most commonly used flooring in the usual Singaporean home.

• Vinyl planks are your regular vinyl flooring shaped as planks smaller than laminate flooring planks. Most of the designs of this type of flooring are wood designs.

How to maintain your vinyl flooring

One of the advantages of having vinyl flooring is that it’s not high maintenance, which is perfect for families with working parents. Or, if you are a young professional, this flooring is cost-savvy. Just have a basic cleaning routine at home, and you are good to go!

Since it is waterproof, all you have to do is wipe off the spills on the floor. Vinyl is also vacuum and mop-friendly; you can use these basic tools when cleaning your floor.

Here are some tips to properly maintain your flooring:

• Use protective pads to avoid scratches on the floor.
• Please refrain from using rugs or furniture with rubber bottoms. It causes stains
• Keep equipment that has high temperatures, such as your flat iron, curling iron, or charcoal, from touching your floor.
• Never use highly concentrated chemicals that may cause discoloration on your flooring.

Remember, you need to ensure that your floor is maintained and cleaned regularly to avoid damage.

Installing your vinyl

There are two types of installation of vinyl floorings: floating or glue-down.

• The floating method is the easier of the two methods. Floating is usually available for the vinyl planks purchased with the groove system that the do-it-yourselfer in attaching and locking a plank to another. As the name suggests, it is floating because the planks are floating above the subfloor.

• The glue-down method involves glue as the main requirement of this installation method. This technique allows you to glue the side facing the subfloor and attach the vinyl flooring. You have to ensure that the plank’s position is final to avoid repeating the process that might cause irregularities.

Bottom line

The bottom line is, it’s economical to use vinyl flooring in Singapore considering its advantages. Whether you are a family or a young professional living alone, including vinyl flooring in your home theme can make a huge difference, especially in your property’s appeal. Money-wise, this type of flooring is surely affordable!

If you need to find the best vinyl flooring company in Singapore, you can call us at +65 6692 1389.

Also read:
Laminate Flooring VS Vinyl Tile
How To Select The Best Vinyl Flooring Company in Singapore?