How Often Should Carpet be Replaced?

Like most flooring options, carpet doesn’t last forever. But how do you know when it’s time to replace carpet? A few things like the age, wear levels, damages like tears, stains, or smells, and increased allergies can be indicators that it’s time to invest in new carpet. If you’re unsure whether your carpet should be replaced or not, read on to find out more about the signs you should look for when considering replacing carpet.

Age of the Carpet

While carpet has changed over the years, today, its lifespan is usually anywhere from 5 to 15 years. The length of time that a specific carpet lasts depends on the type of carpet, carpet cushion, carpet fibers, and wear and tear the carpet is exposed to. For example, carpet in a spare bedroom where there is little traffic will probably last longer than carpet in a heavily trafficked hallway. Homes with children and pets will see increased carpet wear than homes with quiet lifestyles, so there are many factors to consider. While there’s no set way to determine if your carpet is at the age where it needs to be replaced, there are usually physical indicators that will tell you that it’s time to replace the carpet.

If you want to increase the life span of your carpet, depending on your lifestyle, you should have your carpet professionally cleaned every 18-24 months, vacuum on a regular basis and follow the proper care and maintenance instructions found in your carpet warranty. If you’ve had your carpet for more than 20 years, it’s best to replace it to maintain your home’s indoor air quality and comfort.

Wear, Damage, and Tears

Worn out carpets and carpet cushions can occur for a variety of reasons, and they show wear with tears, damages, and wrinkles. Small tears can sometimes be repaired, but large tears are often damaged beyond repair. Areas of carpet that are heavily trafficked may show wear by their appearance. If your carpet was once a more vibrant color, but now tends to look dirty no matter how much you clean it, it’s probably time for new carpet. Areas in front of doorways are often the first to experience this kind of wear. Carpet can also become faded over time, so if your carpet was once a beautiful, bold color, but now seems dull and worn, you may want to consider carpet options. While carpet fading is not always a necessary reason to invest in carpet, it may be a good option if you have this issue along with another sign of wear.

High traffic areas like entryways, hallways, stairways, and playrooms will also show signs of wear with matting. Matted carpet lays flatter than its original look, and it’s tough to bring matted carpet back to life. In many cases, matted carpet is an excellent reason to invest in new carpet. 

Not only can your carpet become worn, but so can the carpet cushion underneath. Wrinkles in your carpet are a good indicator that you need new carpet. Another sign of worn-out padding is uneven carpet. Areas in your carpet that are higher or lower than other areas indicate that your carpet padding needs to be replaced, and so does your carpet.

Stains and Smells

Stains and smells are some of the most common reasons why carpet should be replaced. Whether you have young children or pets or you happen to be the one who makes messes, stains and smells can cause irreparable damages to your carpet.

Some carpet stains can be cleaned easily, but red wine and bathroom accidents may never come out. While you can move furniture to cover them, it’s not always possible to hide areas of your carpet that have severe stains. Professional cleaning can sometimes help remove or dull the stains, but that’s not true in all cases, especially with tough stains like mustard or bleach.

Stains can also cause there to be a lingering odor. When stains seep into the carpet fibers and carpet cushion, they can bring with them unpleasant odors that last for years. Mold and mildew are a top reason to purchase new carpet, as there is no way to remove these odors without replacing the carpet.

4 ways to make your carpet last longer

Everyone wants to get more for their money -this includes their flooring.  Flooring can be expensive to replace so taking steps to keep it looking its best for as long as possible can be a big money saver.  It will also add to the beauty of the room. Here are 7 great tips for extending the life of your carpet from a true expert.

1. Vacuum…often

How often?  There are varying schools of thought on this.  Some say once a week, some say once a week but hit the high-traffic areas twice.  Some say once per week per adult and dog (2 adults, 2 dogs =4 times/week)

The answer:

• No kids, no pets: once a week. 
• Kids, no pets: twice a week.
• Pets, no kids, 2-3 times per week.
• Kids and pets, 3-4 times per week.

2. Check your shoes at the door(s)

Everyone drags in loads of dirt from the outside on their feet.  It is unavoidable.  The best way to stop it; take off your shoes.  There are tons of super cool ways to store you and your guest’s shoes.

3. Get a door mat(s)

It may seem like an obvious suggestion, however the type of door mat plays a very important role.  Don’t go cheap when it comes to door mats.  The cheap ones will eventually add to the dirt in the house because they only wipe off what’s on the surface of your shoes and leave it there for the next person to track in.

4. Have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once per year

A professional carpet cleaning using a truck-mounted hot water extraction system every year (sometimes more depending on…kids, pets, etc.) will extend the life and luster of your carpet more than any single suggestion on the list (except for the vacuuming).

Why specifically truck-mounted hot water extraction? Heat and suction! Portable cleaning units don’t come close to generating the amount of heat required to get a good cleaning and once that solution has done its work, you need lots of suction to extract the water otherwise your carpets will be wet for days.

How Do I Know When It’s Time To Replace My Carpet?

They’re a part of your home, witnessing everything from the pitter patter of tiny feet to wine spills, or mud tracked in from soccer practice. However, sooner or later, you have to decide when it’s time for your residential carpet to be replaced.

As you are seeing your carpet every day, it can be hard to notice the little changes over time. So to help you evaluate the state of your flooring, we’ve put together our top things to look out for when deciding if it is time to replace your carpet.

Here are a few of the signs that your carpet might need replacing

You Can No Longer Hide The Stains

A home is not meant to be looked at, it’s meant to be lived in. While this is all well and good when it comes to making a space your own, it can also mean that your carpet takes a hit over the years with accidental spills and stains. Fortunately, if you act fast enough, many stains can be removed or minimised, but some stubborn patches can be near-impossible to get rid of, especially when you use DIY carpet cleaning methods.

Over the years, this results in finding more creative ways to disguise stains from decorative rugs to indoor plants, but if you’re getting to the point where you’re running out of rugs to cover up wear and tear, it might be time for a change.

It Smells, Even After Cleaning

There’s nothing worse than coming home to smelly carpet. Even if you get rid of the visible stain, there are some substances where it’s harder to erase the evidence. This is often the case for homeowners with pets – even if you spot clean little accidents straight away, sometimes the smell can remain, meaning that the odour may have penetrated more deeply into the carpet fibres, or into the padding.

It Has Bald Patches Or Matting

Carpets see a lot of use over the years – especially if you have kids who like to practise their cricket bowling down the corridor, or who like to use the living room for dance rehearsals. Over time, this can result in your carpet wearing thin or matting, especially in high-traffic areas. Polyester carpets tend to be slightly more prone to matting, and often cannot be restored.

It’s Lost Its Cushion

One of the key benefits of choosing carpet over other flooring options is the soft cushioning beneath your feet. The layer of cushion under the surface of your carpet is what makes this possible, helping with both comfort and acoustics. Uneven carpeting, as well as carpet that feels like you’re walking on unforgiving concrete can be indicators that the condition of the padding isn’t what it should be.

Dampness

Water damage is a carpet’s worst enemy, leaving stubborn stains as well as a lingering damp smell. Dampness is particularly common in Australia’s more humid regions, such as tropical Queensland. Keep an eye out for possible signs of mould and mildew, as well as a stale odour – this can be a sign that it’s time to replace your carpet.

How to Care for Your Carpet if  You Have Pets at Home

When you own pets and have carpet in your home, it can be difficult to keep the carpet looking clean all of the time. Cats are generally cleaner than dogs since most cats are indoor animals. They do still shed and spread pet dander, so vacuuming twice per week is suggested. It is also ideal to have a carpet with a medium tone and that has a few colors woven in to help hide some pet dirt from showing.

Regardless of which pet you have, it’s never easy getting the pet smell out of your carpet. Let’s explore a few tips that just might help.

Purchase Stain Resistant Carpet

If you are able, stain-resistant carpet is always the way to go. Consider this option if you are replacing the carpeting or wish to carpet a wood or tile floor. This type of carpet is often more costly but also lasts for an extended period of time. Stain-resistant carpet already has a protective layer applied to the fibers. There is no need for scotch guarding practices as it can withstand being steam-cleaned, vacuumed and spills without losing too much of its integrity.

Scotch Guard Non-Stain Resistant Options

If you have carpet that is a few years old it is best to scotch-guard the carpets. This will put a protective guard on the carpet. It will need to be repeated after a period of time to help the fibers maintain their structure and help protect additional stains from being possible. You should have this done professionally to ensure that every fiber is treated. Missing a spot by doing it yourself can cause stains to get under fibers that are treated. This can cause stains that do get past the scotch guarding to be harder to get out.

Cleaning Pet Urine

Pet urine is one of the toughest things to battle when it comes to carpet care. In order to get accidental urine spots out of the carpet, you need to catch it rather quickly. Get several paper towels first and step on them, a few at a time, with shoes on. This will help you to pull up the urine without spreading it. Continue to do this until the paper towels come up nearly dry. Make a mixture of 1-teaspoon of ammonia and 1-cup of water. Spray this on the area and let it sit for 5-minutes. Use a stiff brush and make small circular motions from the inside of the spot outward. Use a wet/dry vacuum to pull up the rest of the area. This should prevent the urine from staining and should pull all of it up from the carpet.

Keep your Pet’s Nails Trimmed

The length of your pet’s nails can cause damage to a carpet. When a pet gets excited and runs around or scoots across the carpet, it can snag the strands of material. This can cause an unraveling effect that would eventually leave spots that are bare, disheveled looking or less fluffy than the rest of the carpet. When trimming your pet’s nails it is also ideal to use a pet nail file on them. This removes the rigidity left to make the nails feel smooth again. This also helps to protect carpet and hardwood floors as well.

Use a Hardwood or Tile Entrance

After taking the dog for a walk when it has been raining or snowing, a hardwood or tile floor entrance with a rug that they can walk over first is ideal. This prevents wet and muddy feet from making prints on the floor and prevents the mud from getting on the carpet. Some dogs will play in mud or splash a little due to their size. Keep a towel handy, next to the entry door, to wipe them off. Some types of mud can be more difficult to remove from carpet than others.

Use a Carpet Powder for Homes with Pets

There are several carpet powders for homes with pets available. Sprinkle it on generously and allow it to sit for the amount of time suggested on the package. Vacuum thoroughly by going over the entire carpet twice. The first pass will pull up the powder and topical particles. The second pass, which should be performed in a slower motion, gets down further to pull up hair, dander and other particles that are deeper into the fibers.

What to Know Before Buying Carpet

Buying carpet for the first time can seem overwhelming, but when you know all the pros and cons of the most common carpet styles and fibers-as well as a few translations of showroom lingo-it’s a task that any homeowner can tackle with finesse. The carpet styles we’re highlighting here can be installed wall to wall, or ordered in a specific size with bound edges to be used as an area rug (a great solution for oddly shaped rooms). Professionals are better suited to discussing your needs for specialty rugs, such as Orientals, so you’ll probably want to visit a special retailer for these kinds of purchases.

Two kinds of construction are most common when it comes to rugs: tufted and woven. Most carpets are tufted, consisting of rows of machine-punched yarns held together by adhesive and backing, and they last between five and seven years. Woven carpets, on the other hand, are known for their long lifespan: 20 to 30 years, thus making them more expensive than tufted options. The first thing to do when shopping for carpet is to ask for a sample to identify its style of pile, or the yarn that was used to make the carpet. If the yarn has been sheared, it’s known as “cut” pile, which is different from “loop” pile, a kind of yarn that’s been left in its original form

HOW TO EXPERTLY CLEAN AN AREA OR SHAG RUG

Samples can help you understand how high the pile of a carpet is, as deeper pile can feel softer to the touch, but a short pile is easier to care for. You’ll glean even more information from the carpet’s label, which lists the fiber content and where it was made, as well as other details as required by law. Most of the styles and fibers listed in the following guidelines are used in both woven and tufted carpets, and understanding their differences can help you shop for the best option for your home.

In addition to the pile, you’ll also want to ask about a carpet’s padding, which can help offset ground-in dirt and even absorb sound. You’ll need to lay down the proper padding before installing an area rug, but most floor-to-floor carpets should be installed by professionals, as they’re able to disguise seams as best as possible while properly fitting carpet to padding as well. When working with professionals, you’ll notice that carpet is often sold by the square yard, not the square foot-you’ll have to divide the price by nine for a per-square-foot quote. If you’d like to see what the carpet looks in your home, try asking for a “roll-cut” sample, which is a piece of carpet cut from the lot you would actually purchase, as the coloring on the sample may be different from the final product. You’ll also have to clean the carpet properly to keep the original coloring intact-check the manufacturer’s instructions, and start with a weekly once-over using a vacuum with a rotating head. For delicate carpets, such as hand-woven or hand-tufted, use a vacuum without a rotating head. A professional can steam-clean synthetic and wool carpet if needed.

Common Cuts of Pile to Know

The carpet’s pile can determine how it looks in your home, and more importantly, how it feels underfoot. Pile can be short and sturdy, or it can be shaggy and soft-the following pile varieties are the most commonly used by carpet manufacturers. We’re sharing details about how each variety feels, plus how well the product holds up under normal wear and tear over the years.

Tips for Carpet Replacement

No matter how kind your occupants are to the carpet, eventually you’ll face the arduous task of replacing it at minimal expense, time investment, disruption and health effects.

Get Out the Elbow Grease

Take a proactive stance toward potential health concerns and thoroughly vacuum the flooring you plan to replace. This will root out dirt, dust and biological debris that would otherwise go flying once the flooring installer starts to tear up the carpet.

“When you’re removing carpet, nobody’s thinking of cleaning it,” says Jeff Bishop, administrator of Clean Care Seminars, Inc. “Maintenance stops and you get a buildup of pollutants that tend to be aerosolized in the removal process.”

One recent investigation in Tampa, FL, involved students who frequently developed respiratory problems by mid-week, recovered over the weekend, and became sick again the following week.

Make a Game Plan

Once the old carpet is clean, coordinate with your contractor, flooring installer, and other key players. Plan around occupants’ schedules to minimize the number of people you’ll displace, and choose the quickest, most painless way to remove partitions and other items.

Is carpet a bad idea for flooring in our house?

REASONS TO SELECT CARPET FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT

Spring is always a good time to spruce up your home or to revamp the house interior. Most people simply resort to the dreaded annual decluttering and deep spring cleaning, but there are those who are already “window shopping” online for new paint colors or a colorful plush carpet to change the look of their bedrooms, living room or family room. They are eagerly coming up with ideas on how best to remodel their home. So, we can all agree that a dream renovation project renders the perfect opportunity for folks to choose and buy new carpeting.

The Instant Home Changer

Carpets are a great way to completely transform your interior. With the vast choice of patterns, yarns, colors and fibers, you can refurbish your floorings relatively cheap and achieve a dream new look for your living spaces. So, whether you are replacing old carpeting or you are carpeting a brand new remodeled room or home; installing a soft floor covering will instantly alter the overall appearance of your home interior.

Promote a Cozy Feeling at Home

There is nothing like walking barefoot on a plush carpet and enjoying the snug feeling without the need to look for your misplaced slippers. Carpets are the ultimate booster of comfort and coziness. They are warm in the cold months and can give your dwelling an unmatchable luxurious feel. You wouldn’t sit by the fire on a bare parquet floor, would you?

Environmentally-Friendly

This is a little farfetched–but they do have proven insulation properties. Carpets keep your heating bills low and save you money in the process. By not wasting energy, like so many poorly insulated homes, you undoubtedly contribute to the environmental cause. A carpeted house keeps the heat in better and requires less energy to stay warm for longer. Modern carpet technology has evolved and improved over time to produce hardy and long lasting floor coverings. While all carpets are not easy to recycle, it is only good and rather eco-friendly that carpet lovers can enjoy them for longer.

Vulnerability Proofing Medium

Anyone can slip on a shiny hardwood floor, but children and older people are more prone to lose their footing. Carpets not only provide good traction, but will also soften the blow if a toddler trips over and falls.

Secrets to Keep Your Carpet Looking New

Carpets get dirty—it’s a fact of life. But if you just let the problems pile up, those snags, spills, and everyday accidents can make your carpets look old and dingy. Follow these proper maintenance tips and damage-control strategies to keep your carpeted flo

Vacuum Regularly

It’s obvious that vacuuming keeps your carpets clean, but this common chore is also the key to ensuring they stay looking like new. Dirt has abrasive qualities, and when it’s repeatedly ground into the carpet by everyday foot traffic, it can actually erode the backing over time. Vacuuming once a week (twice a week in busy areas) can remove up to 75 percent of the dirt and debris and prevent your carpet from aging before its time.

Soak Up Spills

Spills are inevitable, but how you clean them makes all the difference. The most important carpet commandments to keep in mind are to work quickly and never rub. Dab cleaning solution onto the trouble spot immediately—the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Then, blot with paper towels or a clean cloth, as this gently puts a small amount of pressure on the liquid, helping to soak it up instead of letting it set in. Remember to blot from the outside in to prevent the spill from spreading.

Choose the Right Vacuum

It’s imperative that you choose the right vacuum for your household needs. Do you have kids or pets? Carpeted stairs? Because no model excels at all types of cleaning, it might be wise to invest in more than one vacuum so you can handle all your cleaning challenges. A cordless handheld vacuum can be convenient for stairs, for example, while an upright is great for large carpeted rooms.

Trim Snags

Carpets, particularly Berbers, are bound to snag eventually—especially if you have kids or pets. Rule number one: Never pull a snag. This will inevitably make the problem worse, as it’s likely that you’ll tear the carpet away from the backing. Instead, grab a pair of scissors and trim the snag at the base to prevent further damage.

Got a question about carpet or flooring?

Where do I start?

If you’re looking to update a room in your home but unsure where to start, begin by visiting our online product selector. This simple tool will run you through a series of questions to better understand what you are looking for such as the room you are wanting to update, the style you are hoping to achieve and of course, your budget. Once completed, we will send you a selection of our beautiful products, perfectly suited to your needs.

What can I do on the website?

Whether you’re updating an existing space or selecting product for your brand-new home – Carpet Court have a fantastic selection of online tools to assist you along the way

How do I request a quote?

To receive a quote on Carpet Courts’ range of flooring or window furnishings, simply book a free home measure and quote online and a friendly member of your local Carpet Court store will be in touch to organise a time and date that suits you. It’s also great to know that your free home measure and quote is obligation free.

How does the online pricing work?

Online pricing provided on all flooring is indicative and should only be used as a guide. Furthermore, the pricing provided for each room size is based on a pre-set size and does not include underlay or installation. To receive an accurate quote for your installation, request a quote online and a member of your local Carpet Court store will be in touch.

Do I need to come into a store when selecting my products?

No, there is no need to come into store when selecting products, this can be done online. However, it may be a good idea to visit your local store before making any purchases, so you can view and touch the product. Of course, there is no obligation to purchase when you do come in store, so do not hesitate to visit us any day to browse our fantastic range of products on offer.

Choosing the Best Vinyl Flooring for Families with Children

With kids come messes. It’s an unavoidable fact of life. They track in dirt, they spill juice, they drop food. It’s amazing that such tiny, adorable, innocent beings can leave such disaster in their wake. When choosing flooring for a home with children, you need a product that can keep up with daily—if not hourly—soiling and cleaning while still managing to look good. Vinyl flooring offers a practical, affordable and even stylish solution.

Easy to clean. First and foremost for families with children, flooring must be easy to clean, and quality vinyl is one of the best performing categories of flooring when it comes to cleanability. Most dirt, grime and food wipes off easily, and bigger messes clean thoroughly with just soap and water

Water resistant. Since children are prone to spills, you also need flooring to stand up to liquid. All vinyl flooring is water resistant. And some vinyl flooring is even 100% waterproof, trapping liquid on the surface to protect your subfloor from damage and mildew

Comfortable underfoot. Many flooring options are hard and unforgiving. Vinyl flooring is resilient, meaning it absorbs impact. Not only will it ease your children’s falls, it will also provide comfort underfoot in areas like the kitchen where you stand for long periods of time.

Sound dampening. Not only are children messy, but let’s face it, they can also be incredibly loud. The harder your floors, the more sound will reverberate through the house, amplifying all your children’s squeals, shrieks and general noises. There is no magic mute button for your children, but vinyl flooring absorbs sound, making their outbursts a little less deafening. The addition of a quality underlayment will enhance the sound dampening attributes of your floor as well

VINYL FLOORING

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), the fastest growing category in flooring, is possibly the most eco-friendly flooring in the world. It can be endlessly recycled. It has no heavy metals, no solvent based inks, no formaldehydes, and no PCP and components considered carcinogenic in it at all. It’s fire resistant and doesn’t release toxic gases. And importantly, it looks good.

Vinyl flooring and vinyl tiles are trendy, easy to maintain and perfect for nearly every room in your home. Interior designers have worked to provide ranges with some of the best colours and flooring designs in the world. Stone, slate, wood, and tile; vinyl tiles come in all of these clean and modern looks. If your home has real wood floors in some areas and you want to continue the theme throughout, then vinyl in a wood finish is a good option for the wet or high traffic areas where real wood would stain easily and possibly warp

The reason most people go for carpet is that it’s got warmth, comfort and it’s quiet. It makes your toes feel nice. You want all that – but you don’t want carpet. Thankfully today’s sophisticated vinyl floors can give you all the warmth, comfort and quiet you require. The soft, absorbent backing reduces noise and provides insulation against the cold. And it’s easy to maintain

Tips to help you choose the right luxury vinyl floors

The fastest growing segment in hard surface flooring is luxury vinyl tile. LVT comes in a multitude of options which is giving it its popularity. You can customize color, pattern, design and so much more with ease of installation and maintenance

Consider its purpose

You need to know about the product’s wear layer. If you are choosing a floor for a high traffic area, you’ll need a thicker wear layer to protect the image layer underneath.

Know what the core is made of

Recycled floors are environmentally friendly; many LVT floors are made from raw, pure materials such as virgin PVC. It reduces the possibility of shrinking which makes it more durable. It also stops the risk of recycling toxic or harmful chemicals into LVT that is found most present in post-consumer material. Virgin PVC produces a constant, quality product that is durable and is equipped with a durable core.

Consider the environmental impact

The nature of high-performance luxury vinyl does not provide itself to using recycled material. You can still choose to purchase your products from suppliers, manufacturers, and companies that meet industry standards for sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

Vinyl flooring & luxury vinyl tiles

Brighten up your home with Quick-Step Vinyl flooring’s natural looks and characteristic warmth. Quick-Step Vinyl is perfectly compatible with underfloor heating. Choose from a wide range of vinyl floors suitable for all needs and circumstances. All are equipped with a protective top layer that ensures your floor will keep its good looks for years to come.

Quick-Step luxury vinyl flooring are more than just beautiful and comfortable floors: they’re the result of decades of research and expertise-building to create flooring that stands the test of time. Discover how we ensure that your vinyl floor can take the hustle and bustle of daily life – day in and day out, for years to come.

A pleasure to walk on

Treading on a Quick-Step vinyl floor is a pleasant experience in every way: their natural designs catch the eye, they feel soft and warm, and their acoustic performance gets rid of any unwanted noise from heels, boots, trainers or paws.

Irregular subfloor?

Working on an irregular subfloor? (i.e. with an old tile floor with grouts of 5mm width and 2mm deep) Then, Quick-Step Rigid vinyl is your floor of choice. On top of that, it’s easy to install and extremely silent.

evelled subfloor?

If your subfloor is smooth or if you will level it, our Glue+ vinyl floors are the way to go. Suitable for all areas, including sunrooms. You can even install them on walls.

VINYL CLICK FLOORING OR LAMINATE FLOORING : WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Laminate flooring or vinyl click flooring? At first glance, these two floors, the first consisting mainly of a HDF panel combined with a decorative sheet, the other vinyl, seem relatively similar. In particular, they share the click installation system (floating installation) which allows them to be laid easily and quickly. We compare the two flooring options in 5 points. Which is the most suitable for your application?

The performance of both flooring solutions are measured different. Vinyl flooring is usually coated with a protective layer called the wear layer which varies in thickness depending on the intended area of use, which thus ensure an increased resistance to wear, scratches and abrasions. Laminate flooring is also protected by several finishes, but its strength will be determined by its AC classification (Criteria of Resistance to Abrasion) ranging from 1 (very low) to 6 (very intense).

Laminate is the most sensitive to shocks and scratches and thus has a shorter life span than vinyl flooring; unless you choose a laminate flooring of excellent quality, this flooring is preferred for applications with lighter use. Both laminate and LVT flooring nevertheless highlight models suitable for residential as well as commercial applications, whilst luxury vinyl flooring is also suitable for industrial uses too.

For conservatories, it is strongly discouraged to install laminate floor as it is much more likely to be deformed from the high temperature fluctuations. In conservatories, glue down vinyl flooring is the better option, but the most superior choice would be rigid vinyl flooring, because of its superior rigid core, it is particularly resistant to temperature changes.

Due to its vinyl composition, luxury vinyl flooring is impervious and therefore perfectly adapted to a bathroom or kitchen installation. This is not the case for most laminates! Their wood fiber panel does not mix well with moisture: it is therefore strongly discouraged to choose laminate for the renovation of damp rooms, at the risk of your floor swelling and warping.

All About Vinyl Flooring

Smart Stepping

We love the historic appeal of floors covered with wood, stone, or ceramic. But let’s face it: These materials can be high in cost, low in comfort, and often require more care than we have time or energy for. That’s why the smart money is often on vinyl. This durable flooring shrugs off street grit, pointy heels, and sloppy spills while providing a slip-resistant and often cushiony footing that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. No wonder you find vinyl in almost every American home—usually in kitchens, baths, and entryways.

This category of resilient flooring encompasses an array of products, including sheets, tiles, and planks made of flexible PVC; rigid tiles that combine vinyl and ground limestone; and soft, ruglike sheets that are woven from vinyl-coated fiberglass strands.

Vitals

How much does it cost?

Vinyl sheets range from 75 cents to $4 per square foot. Tiles typically cost $1 to $8 per square foot. Planks run about $5 per square foot. In each case, installation is extra.

How much care does it need?

Vacuum regularly and mop with soapy water to remove grime and keep colors bright. Do not use abrasives, bleach, or ammonia. Wipe up spills to prevent stains.

Where to buy it?

Home centers and flooring retailers sell a variety of tiles, sheets, and planks, and can recommend an installer if the type you choose isn’t DIY-friendly.

vinyl flooring buying guide

Our selection of vinyl flooring is seemingly endless, with designs ranging from wood to a stone effect, and everything in-between. Vinyl allows you to create any look you want, with hassle-free fitting and with very little on-going maintenance. We aim to make buying your new flooring easier by offering expert advice to guide you smoothly all the way through from browsing to installation. This buying guide will make it easier for you to find the perfect vinyl flooring

why choose vinyl flooring?

Also known as cushion flooring or lino flooring, vinyl will bring comfort and warmth to your home as well as amazing functionality. It works well with underfloor heating and your feet will thank you for the extra comfort it brings underfoot.

how to choose vinyl by room

You may be surprised to learn that you have probably walked on vinyl flooring in homes and businesses many times firmly believing that it was real wood, laminate or stone. Vinyl is so realistic that guests to your home will never be able to tell the difference.

Wood effect vinyl

Wood effect vinyl complete with knots and grain detailing is fantastically authentic. Available in any wood type you care to think of from a whitewashed finish or pale beech, to atmospheric dark walnut, in every wood shade, plank detail and finish. Some even have a textured surface creating even more realism, especially when walked on with bare feet. In fact, all wood effect vinyl flooring doesn’t have is the on-going maintenance of a real wood floor

Plain vinyl

Plain, single colour flooring can really make an impact in your home. Whether you choose a neutral shade like beige or cream for your floor, or decide to really pack a punch with a solid block of something bright like red or yellow, a plain vinyl will create a fabulous basis for your room and allow you to really make it your own. The combination of colour, practicality and affordability makes plain vinyl flooring a worthy investment for your home.

Vinyl flooring buying guide

Choose between vinyl flooring in sheets, tiles and planks

Updating your floor can dramatically change the look and feel of a room – even if you’re not doing a massive decorating job. And vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for your high-traffic areas.

Sheet vinyl flooring

Sheet vinyl flooring offers a brilliantly diverse range of looks to choose from. Emulate the look of other materials, such as wood, stone or ceramic tiles. And explore interesting designs, including checkerboard (pictured), parquet and brick – all without the fuss of creating these intricate patterns from scratch.

Self-adhesive vinyl tile flooring

Self-adhesive vinyl tiles are perfect if you want to unleash your creativity – they can be laid using a single colour, or mix and match using contrasting colours to create your own unique design. Like sheet vinyl, we offer them in a wide selection of looks and patterns.

Self-adhesive vinyl plank flooring

Our self-adhesive vinyl planks are available in several wood effects, all of which add warmth to any room. Choose from paler shades such as pine, to richer, darker tones like oak. And why not opt for a rustic, more distressed look for a little character?

Luxury Vinyl Click flooring

For a premium vinyl floor option, browse our range of Luxury Vinyl Click flooring. The name refers to the glueless, easy click fitting system reminiscent of that used with laminate flooring. This makes installation simple and straightforward.

Captain’s Luxury Vinyl Highlights

WHAT IS LUXURY VINYL? AND LVT VS LVP?

In the flooring world, luxury vinyl is one of the new kids on the block. Luxury vinyl is the cousin of sheet vinyl and the competitor of laminate.

When someone talks about “vinyl flooring,” they’re most likely talking about sheet vinyl. This is NOT the same a luxury vinyl. Sheet vinyl is has been around for a long time. It’s cheap and water-resistant, but it also doesn’t have a great reputation because it can look and feel cheap.

PROS AND CONS OF LUXURY VINYL

Before we get into what to look for in luxury vinyl, let’s consider if it’s the right flooring for you.

CONS OF LUXURY VINYL:

A Carpet Captain guide wouldn’t be complete without giving you a heads up on the problems you may run into. This isn’t to scare you off from luxury vinyl—all types of flooring have their problems.

Luxury vinyl is a plastic. Most plastics are brittle without chemicals called plasticizers, and often these chemicals are thought to possibly be harmful especially to children and pregnant women. You’ve probably heard similar concerns with the plastic used in drinking bottles, and in Europe, some countries have banned certain plastics in children’s toys.

Vinyl Plank (Luxury Vinyl) Flooring Review: Pros and Cons

Sheet vinyl and vinyl tile have long been favorite flooring materials for kitchens and bathrooms, but it has always been viewed as slightly cheap when compared to other flooring materials. But that is no longer the case with vinyl plank flooring, also known as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) or luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP). Rather than a thin layer of very flexible vinyl, vinyl plank flooring is a much thicker flooring material that is fabricated in long planks with a modified tongue-and-groove connection system that snaps together, usually called “click-lock.”

Vinyl plank flooring originally became popular because it mimicked wood plank flooring very convincingly—more so than even plastic laminate flooring. But there has since been an explosion of offerings for vinyl plank flooring, including products that look like ceramic and porcelain, and natural stone like marble or granite. The stone-look products are usually shaped in tiles, rather than planks.

What Is Vinyl Plank Flooring?

At its heart, plank vinyl floor, also called luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl floor (LVF), is simply vinyl flooring that comes in long, narrow strips rather than the traditional square tile shapes. But structurally this is a different product. Sheet vinyl is generally flexible vinyl with a printed top layer covered by a clear wear layer

Luxury vinyl is therefore almost five times thicker than traditional sheet vinyl, allowing it to be semi-rigid. Rather than being rolled out over the floor and glued down, luxury vinyl planks snap together. Manufacturers of luxury plank flooring offer dozens of different styles to match the distinctive appearance of different wood species—right down to textured surfaces that mimic real wood grain. Plank vinyl floor also tends to have deeper embossing and better graphics, rendering it a closer simulation of wood and stone than previous iterations of sheet vinyl flooring or plastic laminate flooring.

You can even find vinyl planks with a heavily antiqued or distressed look, hand-scraped, dinged, scratched, and peppered with nail holes. But these products are more expensive, since the planks need to be quite thick to handle such deeply textured embossing.