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Vinyl Flooring Myths

MYTH #1
" Vinyl planks can look repetitive once laid"

When it comes to producing our LVT range- the print film can absolutely be "repetitive" - however unlike many other flooring manufacturers, Polyflor make sure they offset the print each time, meaning that the same feature (for example a knot in the wood) will feature but will be in a different position each time, resulting in completely unique planks. This eliminates the overall pattern repetition, meaning the flooring has a more authentic look, as no two planks are the exactly same.

MYTH #2
"Vinyl is outdated and unattractive"

No way! Vinyl has come such a long way since the 1960s version in mums kitchen- and Polyflor are proud to have some of the most stylish vinyl in the market. Vinyl these days is able to mimic stone, wood and tile and has more long term benefits than all of them put together!
We have an in-house design team that form a Colour Committee and take the hottest trends and styles and then produce them into beautiful planks and tiles that are the epitomy of modern interiors.
There are lots of instances where we have had people not be able to tell the difference between some hardwoods and our vinyl- we dare you to take the test too!

MYTH #3
"Vinyl and Laminate are the same"

In many respects, yes. But while they have much in common there are a few very important differences that set them aside from one another. Before you jump into a flooring project, it’s probably a good idea to get an understanding of the basics to help with your decision.
To start with- the composition of both are VERY different.
Luxury Vinyl, or LVT, which isn’t to be confused with sheet vinyl, is a newer innovation that makes it a far cry from the plastic-like tiles you see in older homes. It’s made of several layers of resilient polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with an embedded image while the top layer is coated with polyurethane, a tough polymer to increase scratch resistance and ease of cleaning.
Therefore, it’s better suited for imitating materials like timber, stone, granite, and concrete. This composition gives it superior resistance to moisture as it doesn’t contain absorbent fibres. When considering moisture exposure, vinyl flooring is a clear winner. It also has a longer lifespan and overall durability.
Laminate is a compressed fibrous product that simulates the look of real hardwood. It’s composed of several layers of rigid, high-density fiberboards that are laminated together into planks.
Laminate flooring doesn’t last as long as vinyl and in many cases, needs to be replaced within 10 years of installation. The image on the surface is not protected by a wear layer, unlike LVT.
Both are comparable when it comes to cleaning, installation and cost but in terms of being quieter underfoot, Vinyl is better- absorbing more noise compared to laminate.

To summarize, vinyl is a better choice when you need water resistance, lifespan, and durability in your flooring.

MYTH #4
" Vinyl is not suitable for a Kitchen"

Quite the opposite.
Thanks to its strong surface layer, vinyl is the ideal flooring for intensely used and wet rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Vinyl can also be provided in slip-resistant forms, usually in a sheet- making it perfect for wet rooms. Polyflor have LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles/Planks) for all rooms within a house, and specialise in safety sheet vinyl flooring for commercial spaces.
Vinyl will be unaffected by the humidity of the kitchen area. In fact, it is particularly suitable for the high moisture and humidity rooms like kitchens or bathroom. It is very easy to maintain and you can remove any spillage with a wet mop, making it an ideal choice.
Vinyl will hold up under the unique demands of a wet and humid atmosphere, aggravated by the high level of heating usually found in wet rooms. Polyflor offers a range of suitable ranges to suit all your wet room needs- get in touch for further info!

MYTH #5
"Vinyl is not Durable"

Absolutely not!
This is one area where you can rely on our flooring more than anything else. A lot of our residential ranges like MiPlank, feature a PUR coating and heavy duty commercial wear layer, meaning they are designed to last. These ranges are suitable for installation into homes as well as a range of heavy duty commercial spaces. Our Commercial ranges are also designed with quality, durability and style in mind. Polyflors range of commercial vinyl flooring are suitable to a wide variety of commercial applications including retail, healthcare, education, IT and commercial interiors. Our range of resilient flooring is created by world class designers to ensure that it is as beautiful as it is functional. Our unique PUR coating means our floors are easy to maintain and require no further sealing or chemicals after installation. There are strict flooring safety standards for us to adhere to, and we always meet each one with flying colours.
We work hard to ensure our flooring will last for years to come.