If you want the look andfeel of hardwood without the expense and upkeep – vinyl flooring is a greatoption for you. It is an affordable option that works great with both familiesand pets. It is important to do your due diligence, though, to make sure thatvinyl flooring is the right choice for you.
Is vinyl flooring scratch proof? While no floor is fully scratch proof,vinyl flooring is scratch-resistant and highly durable. It holds up well frompets, spills, and lots of foot traffic. If you want a wood look withoutscratches, vinyl flooring is a great option for you.
There are many ways thatyou can keep your vinyl flooring from scratching and maintain a gorgeous lookfor your home. This will maintain the appearance for you and your guests aswell as help with the resale value should you decide to sell your home. Below,I will introduce you to vinyl flooring and help enlighten you on care tips andtricks to keep it looking pristine.
HowDurable is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is madeof synthetic material and is manufactured to resemble a wood-like surface foryour home. It is typically fashioned in sheets or interlocking tiles that makeit an easy and affordable option for installation into your home. This isbecoming an increasingly popular option, especially for bathrooms and kitchens.
Vinyl flooring is verydurable and is naturally scratch-resistant. Companies are getting better andbetter at making it, and are creating long-lasting types of flooring. If youmaintain your vinyl floors through regular upkeep, you can expect them to lastupwards of 10 years.
While vinyl flooring isnot the most durable flooring in the world (compared to tile, for example), itis much less likely to get scratched or dented than hardwood, making it a greatalternative. From everyday use, there is little worry with vinyl flooring. Youcan have plenty of walking around, children running, and even pets aroundwithout fear of scratches.
It takes quite a bit tocause real damage to vinyl planks, which means you can have the look and feelof hardwood without the worries. Additionally, warping of vinyl flooring fromwater is less likely than with hardwood due to the synthetic material thatvinyl flooring is made of. In the instance that your floor is damaged, you willlikely be able to replace a portion of your vinyl as long as the same model isstill made- simply snap a new piece in.
Whatcan Damage Vinyl Flooring?
While vinyl flooring isdurable, it is not impossible to damage. If you have heavy furniture, this candamage it when sliding. Scooting chairs while sitting on them (especially metalchairs or table legs) can cause scratches or indents on the flooring. Otherthan that, it would take a heavy or sharp blow to damage your vinyl flooring.
If you are planning tomove into a new home that has vinyl flooring, or perhaps you are choosing toremodel your current living space, you will want to be careful when movingheavy objects/furniture such as couches, cedar chests, etc. Perhaps choose thestronger people on your moving team to move those pieces while others take onless cumbersome boxes.
CareTips for Vinyl Floors
While vinyl floors donot need much protection (especially when compared to other surfaces such asnatural or hardwood), there are some precautionary measures you can take toensure that the floors are not scratched or damaged.
UsePads Under Furniture
There are several types of pads that you can use under furniture when you are protecting the floors below. You can purchase felt pads on Amazon or at your local store. These will stick on below and allow the furniture to slide easily without scratching. Similarly, you can find rubber pads that also stick on. These are better for larger pieces that you do not want to be able to slide around (ex. bookshelves and dressers).
If you want something that stands out less on chairs or thin legs of furniture, clear rubber caps can be a great solution. These will slide easily on the legs but not be noticeable to people who are not looking for them.
When using pads underfurniture, simply lift one end of the furniture piece while placing the pads onthe sharp corners. Particularly, you will want to consider the parts of thefurniture that will be taking the most pressure. Relieving this pressure withfurniture pads will help to reduce the damage that this can cause on yourfloors.
UseRugs and Door Mats
Rugs and doormats do notneed to take away from the beauty of your flooring. If you incorporate nicearea rugs in the main rooms and doormats around entryways, you can cut down ondamage to high traffic areas without sacrificing beauty.
Rugs and doormats areparticularly useful in collecting any dirt or water particles that you may betracked into your home. Rather than having to scrub your floors down regularly,you will have an easier option of shaking out or vacuuming your carpetedsurfaces. This will aid in the routine upkeep of your vinyl floors more thanyou can imagine.
CleanYour Floors Frequently
Most people know toremove anything wet from their floors as soon as possible so they do not causerot or mold. More than this, cleaning them from dry substances can be just asimportant. Removing dust and dirt from your floors can help extend their life.
When people track insand or dirt on floors, it can cause small amounts of damage (almostunnoticeable) to the human eye. This, over time, can cause fading in the floorsand scratches that are more wide-spread. Cleaning frequently helps avoid theseissues.
Additionally, cleaningyour floors regularly will help to maintain the appearance of your home. Formany vinyl flooring options, you can see a bit of reflection on the surfacewhen the sunlight hits just right. If there is a dirty spot, this will becomemore noticeable without regular cleaning.
KeepDirect Sunlight Off it for Extended Periods
By no means would Iadvocate for eliminating natural light from your home. The light helps bringout the beauty of your floors as well as providing an open and airy feel toyour living space. Additionally natural light helps to reduce electricity costsof running overhead lighting all day.
However, keeping directsunlight off of your floors can help them to maintain their full appeal. Ifpossible, use light curtains (white and/or lacy are good) to allow in lightwithout it beaming too harshly on the floor. If direct sunlight is left on thefloor for too long, it can cause some fading of the floor which is hard to fixwithout a full replacement.
You may even notice thatportions of your floor look more faded than others and then realize that theseare the areas that receive the most sun. While living beings benefit from thesun’s rays, your vinyl floors will not follow suit.
How toRepair Scratched Vinyl Flooring
You will most likely andinevitably end up with a scratch or dent in your flooring at some point intime. Especially if you live with children, have high-traffic areas, own heavyfurniture, or are on the clumsy side, the likelihood of damage is higher. Whenthis happens do not panic. It is possible, and not too difficult, to fix thescratched vinyl flooring yourself.
Replacethe Flooring
Vinyl flooring can ofteneasily be fixed by replacing just a small portion of it rather than the whole.Thankfully, it is usually as easy as cutting some of the flooring away and thenreplacing it with new vinyl flooring. If it is vinyl plank flooring rather thanvinyl rolls, you can replace it fairly easily regardless of location. If thedamage is in the center of the room, you may want to consider repairing insteadof trying to replace it.
RepairingVinyl Flooring Scratches
- Begin by sanding downthe area that was affected. To do this, use high grit sandpaper. The lowest youshould use is 320 grit and will ideally work up to 800 grit or even more.
- Clean the area. This canbe done with any strong cleaning solvent. Dish detergent has been known to workwell here and will help remove all the excess dust and dirt. Be sure to checkfor product labels to ensure that the chemicals and cleaning supplies you willuse are safe for your floors.
- Finally, use wax to fillin the sanded area. Car wax works well and helps retain the natural look ofmost vinyl floorings. Again, check to make sure the product is safe prior toapplication. You can apply this with a clean cloth, ideally microfiber so thatit does not allow any fibers to get stuck in the wax. Apply multiple layers asneeded to make it look and feel smooth like the rest of the area.