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How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your House?

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How to Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home or house

How Do You Choose the Right Flooring for Your Home?

Whether you are building a new home or remodeling an existing one, flooring is an integral consideration when it comes to interior design. When considering the space taken by the floor in your home, you will understand how it has a significant impact on the home’s aesthetic. 

Choosing the best type of flooring for each area in your home is no easy feat. There is a wide variety of choices of flooring in the market today. Follow along with DustRam® for more information on how to choose the best type of flooring for your home.

Different Types of Flooring

Hardwood Floors

hardwood flooring in kitchen

Wooden floors like hardwood floors are super popular in almost all parts of the country because they are gorgeous and suit many different interior design schemes. With varying grains, tones, and finishes, hardwood floors are available as polished, contemporary, or rustic farmhouse designs.

These floors are versatile, and their looks can complement any type of interior. They are long-lasting and can withstand up to 5 refinishes to remove surface scratches. In fact, hardwood is durable and resilient when treated and cared for properly. But the cost and upkeep that comes with hardwood flooring are the most notable disadvantages of this type of flooring.

Engineered Wood Floors

engineered hardwood flooring in kitchen
Photo Credit: Life Core Flooring

Engineered wood floors come with a real wood veneer over a middle core of heat-formed wood. It also features a base-supporting layer to prevent shrinkage over time. The stability of engineered wood makes it a great choice for many homeowners. It is also easier to install than solid wood flooring. 

Engineered wood planks are less likely to contract or expand with temperature changes or fluctuations in humidity. Hence, they are more stable compared to most of the other types of flooring out there. Treating engineered wood floors with a high-quality coating will improve their durability and enhance their aesthetics.

Laminate Floors

laminate flooring

Laminate floors are made from layers of high-density fiberboard. In fact, a photographic image of tile or timber is laminated to the flooring surface below a tough, wear-resistant coating. The advantages of laminate flooring are their ease of installation, anti-scratching properties, and low price. In fact, laminate floors are ideal for any area of your home that isn’t exposed to moisture. Hence, you need to avoid using laminate floors in your bathroom.

Real Stone Floors

BLUE STONE FLORE TILES, OAK WOOD CLOSET DOORS
Photo Credit: Digs Digs

Real stone floors are practical and stylish. They are ideal for kitchen and bathroom areas in your home. There are different types of stone flooring including slate, limestone, marble, and terracotta tiles. Each of these floors has a different character and warmth to make your home look elegant and contemporary. 

A stone floor should last forever when laid properly. But it should be installed on a sturdy and sound subfloor to prevent movements and cracks over time. Natural stone is porous and should be adequately sealed. In fact, you need to reseal the floor every six months to preserve its durability and aesthetics.

Tile Floors

before the tile removal job

Tile floors are popular with homeowners across the country. It is one of the most durable, contemporary, and stylish types of flooring for hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Tile floors have different patterns, finishes, and styles to suit your needs and budget. Tiles are resistant to scratch, moisture, and dents. It’s a low-maintenance flooring option that’s easy to clean.

Vinyl Floors

vinyl floor in game room
Photo Credit: Carpetone

Vinyl flooring is made of a combination of polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers. There are added color pigments to enhance the aesthetics of the floor. Vinyl is non-porous and ideal for the kitchen and bathroom areas. It is a versatile material that could be used to replicate tiles, stone, timber, and glass. Vinyl is comfortable to walk on and warmer on bare feet compared to tile floors. Quality vinyl floors can easily last for more than 20 years.

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Tips For Choosing the Best Flooring Option for Your Home

1. Consider The Location of Your Home

The location of your home has an impact when choosing the best type of flooring for it. If you live in a hot and humid area, tile floors are preferred over hardwood or carpet flooring. You should also consider each room’s location in the house when choosing the right type of flooring for it. For example, the entrance of the house has more foot traffic compared to the bathroom. Tiles are a great option for such an area than wood or carpet.

2. Consider The Function of Each Room

The function of each room in your home has an impact on the type of flooring you choose. For example, you will be spending a lot of time standing when you are in the kitchen, and the kitchen floors get oily frequently. Hence, you should opt for a non-slip floor that is easy to clean for the kitchen. 

• Kitchen

Laminate, tile, and vinyl floors are ideal for kitchens. The living room is a famous place in your home to host guests. In fact, solid wood and engineered wood floors are the best for living rooms. On the other hand, carpet flooring is also a good choice since it’s warm and inviting.

• Bedroom

The bedroom is another popular place in your home. Your family members will spend a considerable amount of time sleeping, relaxing, and working in the bedroom. Since you will be spending a lot of time barefooted in the bedroom, carpet is the best type of flooring for the bedroom. On the other hand, wood, vinyl, and laminate are also good choices for bedrooms. 

• Bathroom

The bathroom should have a dry, durable and beautiful floor. Clay, sheet vinyl, linoleum, and stone are some of the best flooring options for bathrooms.

• Home Office

With many people working from their homes, home offices are getting more attention these days. Home office floors should be comfortable, practical, and durable. Consider tile, vinyl, laminate, wood, or carpet for your home office floors.

• Entryway

Entryways are used by almost everyone who arrives at your home. The entryway floor should be durable and beautiful at the same time. In fact, ceramic and porcelain tiles are the best options for entryway flooring. They are strong, durable, and easy to maintain. On the other hand, natural stone will also work well for your entryway flooring.

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3. Don't Forget Your Personality

Some homeowners want to come across as serious while some others want to radiate warmth when choosing the best type of flooring for their homes. In fact, the rooms in your home can be used to reveal your personality. For example, if you want to show your connection with nature, you can opt for stone or solid wood flooring for your home. On the other hand, if you want to look more contemporary, you may opt for glossy finish porcelain flooring for your home.

4. Meet The Installation Requirements

Some homeowners may rely on professional floor installation while some others may choose DIY installations. If you opt for DIY floor installation, you should choose a flooring option that you know how to work with. For example, engineered wood and laminate floors are the easiest to install. Hence, they are ideal for DIY flooring enthusiasts. But you should have the right tools and assistance to do the job properly.

Why Choose a Dustless Flooring Removal Service?

When you want to install a new floor or remodel an existing one, you should rely on a dustless flooring removal service. Floor removal is a messy job that exposes homeowners to dust. Dust exposure can cause serious health issues over time. Dustless floor removal is the way to go when you want to save time, money, and potential health issues. 

For the latest news and trends on all things flooring, make sure to visit our blog for more related topics.

Buckling Hardwood Flooring – Causes, Prevention, and Repairs

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Buckling Hardwood Flooring Causes, Prevention, and Repairs

Photo Credits: Hardwood Floorings Mag & Construction Specifier

Buckling Hardwood Flooring: Causes, Prevention, and Repairs

Hardwood flooring can add elegance and a sense of luxury to any home. The undeniable allure of hardwood completely transforms and upgrades any space’s aesthetic appeal. But this flooring also requires a fair amount of attention and maintenance to prevent future damage, such as buckling. Follow along with DustRam® for the inside scoop on how to keep your hardwood floors from buckling! 

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Warning Signs of Damage

Wood and hardwood flooring, by its very nature is susceptible to the environment it is in. This can cause hardwood flooring to develop a life of its own and begin reacting to the atmosphere in which it lives. This can cause hardwood to buckle, show cracks or separation between boards, turn up at the edges to cause cupping, rise in the middle and lead to crowning, or cause the boards to lift and get detached from the subfloor.

Lifting indicates extreme buckling and occurs only when the hardwood floors are flooded with water. Cupping, crowning, and cracks on the other hand are the more common signs that can be an effect of a damp environment.

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Different Elements that Cause Hardwood to Buckle

Water

Hardwood floors do not like water. Hardwood is a naturally porous material that easily entraps moisture, causing damage to your floors. When exposed to water, hardwood begins to swell so that the added moisture can be accommodated. This expanding of the floor and shrinking when the moisture leaves the hardwood can lead to its warping and buckling.

Humidity

Humidity is just another name for water in the air and can have the same effect on hardwood that water has. This can depend on the weather and its ability to change the conditions inside a home through open doors and windows. Where homes are near the sea or where geography causes high humidity conditions to be prevalent in the air, hardwood floors remain susceptible to buckling.

Changes in Temperature

Where the weather is constantly changing from hot to cool in a repetitive cycle, the wood will expand when it is hot and contract when it is colder, causing the boards to buckle and warp.

Defects in Installation

A hardwood floor that is not properly installed will have openings and cracks that allow the moisture or even water from any spills or occasional mopping to get into the wood and lead to buckling or warping of the floor. This may not happen if you are careful to select the right installer who has experience and a reputation for good quality work.

Sub-floor Problems

Sub-floors can be damp due to the lack of dampness barriers in foundations, or even if they are not allowed to dry out properly before the hardwood floor is installed. This dampness can find its way in to the hardwood boards and cause them to warp, buckle, or lift.

If you are removing flooring in your home, make sure to choose a company that provides top-rated results. Our team, at DustRam®, leaves your subfloor better prepared for your flooring installation. Contact us today for a free flooring removal quote.

Ignoring Acclimatization

It is a normal practice to allow the wooden boards that constitute your hardwood flooring to get familiar with the temperature and humidity prevalent in a home before they are installed. This process can take up to two weeks, but there is the danger of the boards drying or absorbing moisture, which can lead to the defects that we are trying to prevent. 

The timing is best left to the professionals and recommendations of manufacturers of the hardwood flooring but is something that must be insisted on, even though it may make you a little impatient for the installation work to start. 

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Repairs to Buckled Wood Flooring

One of the first things to do, when you notice signs of buckling and warping in your hardwood floor is to determine the extent of the damage. Minimal buckling can even be repaired by just placing a heavy weight on the buckled area and forcing it to settle back into its space. 

You also need to ensure that area that is buckled is dry and have any excess moisture removed. Do this by using fans after any excess moisture has been removed by some absorbent material, like a towel. You can also use a dehumidifier for at least 24 hours in places where the damage is minor, and often you will find that boards go back to their normal position, and you will see no signs of buckling or warping.

Major damage to a floor, that has buckled in many places may require replacing the badly damaged boards. Here the major difficulty can come from finding boards that match your existing floor. 

Hardwood floors where the boards have tongue and groove joints will resist the buckling better because the boards become like one big sheet, but at the same time, any repairs to be carried out here will require the services of professionals.

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Avoiding the Formation of Buckled Flooring

Water, as we have said, is the major cause of buckling and warping of hardwood flooring. So, make it a point to clean up any spills of any liquid immediately, before the hardwood starts to absorb it. Make sure that there are no places on the hardwood floor where leaks or excess water can lead to the floor absorbing water.

So, if you have hardwood flooring, such spots can be where kitchen sinks and washing machines are installed. If you have a crawl space, make sure that it has proper moisture barriers. If you are in the habit of mopping your floors, make sure that you use the least amount of water, and ensure that the floor is dried after you have finished your cleaning operations. Use a fan or dehumidifier if necessary.

Other Damages to Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can also be damaged if they are constantly walked over with high-heeled shoes or ones with cleats. If you cannot avoid this altogether, make sure that high-traffic areas are covered by a carpet or rug. Hardwood floors can also be damaged by the use of the wrong cleaners. See that you are using the right cleaners to prevent any damage.

Proper Subfloor Preparation Before Laying Down Hardwood Flooring

Before you install a hardwood floor make sure that it is suitable for your home. Evaluate the temperature and humidity in your home and do this over a long period, so that you take varying weather conditions into account. If your floor needs to be completely removed and replaced, make sure that you engage the services of an agency that guarantees dust-free removal.

For the latest news and trends make sure to visit our blog. If you would like to learn more about our dustless flooring removal services for damaged or outdated flooring, contact us today. We provide free project estimations.

Crystalline Silica Dust Is Touted the New Asbestos

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silica dust is the new asbestos

Crystalline Silica Dust Is Touted the New Asbestos of the 21st Century

It’s not unreasonable to worry about your living conditions regardless of what they may be. Even if you think you’re keeping a properly maintained home, some of the materials that were put in your home at the time of construction may have detrimental effects on the health of you and your loved ones. A prime example of this would be asbestos exposure. Fortunately, asbestos was only used as insulation inside homes throughout the early 20th century and began to see less use in the 70’s as our awareness of its cancer-causing properties began to spike. Cases of lung cancer began to pop up everywhere affecting people that were exposed in their communities, homes, and workplaces.

Exposure & Development of Malignant or Nonmalignant Diseases

Today, we now know to clear up asbestos from homes, so our loved ones and workers aren’t at risk of developing malignant or nonmalignant diseases. However, we are now noticing another substance that could be even more detrimental to the health of many in the construction field as well as homeowners. Millions of workers in the United States are being exposed to silica dust also known as crystalline silica. Crystalline silica dust can be found throughout many different industries such as mining, construction, oil and gas, foundries, stone countertop fabrication, manufacturing settings, and much more. Materials that produce this dangerous substance are sand, brick, block, concrete, mortar, and stone. This extremely dangerous dust is created in these types of jobs, and anyone exposed is at risk of serious respiratory disease development.

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Crystalline Silica Is More Abundantly Found on Earth

COPD

COPD

SILICOSIS

While it’s the most common mineral found in the earth’s crust, it is not meant to be inhaled. It’s crystalline silica that you’re rubbing in and out of your toes when you’re having a fun day with family and friends at the beach. It’s one of the minerals found in sand and its 100 times smaller than one simple grain. We spit it out when it ends up in our ice-cold beer and we encounter it in many other ways. Simply knowing how common it is found in the earth’s crust might make it sound harmless. But many natural substances are undoubtedly dangerous when mass amounts are inhaled or ingested.

We can’t stop the 2.3 million Americans who are exposed to this chemical from going to work every day. Unfortunately, many may end up in the hospital due to the exposure. But when it comes to tile floor removal, there is a solution that will capture 99.97% of the dust created at the source. Here are the four most commonly found diseases in those exposed to crystalline silica:

-Lung Cancer
-Silicosis
-Kidney Disease
-COPD

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Asbestos VS. Silica Dust

Photo Credit: CDC

Asbestos is a group of fibrous silicate minerals that belong to amphiboles (brown asbestos), serpentine (white asbestos), tremolite, crocidolite (blue asbestos), actinolite, and anthophyllite. While amphiboles are thinner and more rod-like fibers, serpentine fibers are pliable and curly. However, amphiboles are deemed the most cancer-causing. Certainly, there are more minerals considered as asbestiform but the ones mentioned above are the most common.

Deemed Carcinogenic

Asbestos minerals, chemically speaking, are compounds of silicate which means they have atoms of oxygen and silicon in their unique molecular structure. According to NIOSH or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, asbestos is carcinogenic, in all of its respective forms.

Serious Health Hazards

Silica on the other hand consists of 1 atom of silicon and 2 atoms of oxygen. Silica molecules will form a 3-dimensional repeating pattern while in the silica st ate. But when silica is in the amorphous state, molecules will form random patterns. You can find crystalline silica in basically all types of rock. There are serious health hazards that come with exposure to silica dust such as COPD, Silicosis, lung cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and more. 

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DustRam® Revolutionizes Flooring Removal by

Introducing a Truly Dust Free Method to the Industry

dustram thinset removal tools

At DustRam®, we promise to deliver a clean tile removal every time. One that’s timely and scheduled at a time that works for you. Our dust ends up in sealed bins put up for disposal instead of inside your lungs where they can pose a problem to your entire respiratory system. We’d rather put that trash in an inanimate object where it belongs.

It works through proprietary vacuum technology that truly keeps your home or business free of what can cause advanced lung disease when you get older. When the removal process is through, it’s carefully sanded for the introduction of new flooring. Whether it be more tile, carpet, or wood, DustRam® can help with the preparation without you having to worry about all that ickiness ending up in your lungs.

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DustRam® Certifies Tile Removal Contractors

ceramic tiles removed from floor

Ending Exposure to Cancer-Causing Silica Dust

Lung cancer is the biggest risk to those who work floor removal industry. Getting trained to use the DustRam® system of dust-free tile removal will help prevent exposing the ones you care about, to silica dust. DustRam® offers the equipment and training that enables contractors around the nation to provide clean dust free flooring removal solutions. We are the only certifying entity in the nation that trains contractors to provide dustless tile removal to commercial and residential property owners. 

Bringing You the Best Technology in the World

DustRam® was made possible using 3D printing. Its 2008 founder Jack King created parts so intricately made that the nylon it’s made of can withstand the beating of the titanium its neighbor is created out it without the scatter of dangerous silica dust. The fact that it’s 3D printed and made of a more modest material makes it easier to obtain.

Flooring Removal Done Easy and Without the Dust

People have been trusting the only dust-free tile removal system that captures 99.97% of silica dust at production. DustRam® has led the flooring removal industry and introduced the idea and method of dustless tile removal since 2008. That’s over 12 years of experience helping homeowners and contractors achieve their dreams of tile replacement without the hazards to their health caused by a dangerous substance known as crystalline silica. 

For the latest news and trends on all things tile flooring removal, make sure to browse our blog. To find a dustless tile removal contractor, check out the contractor page.

Should I Replace Flooring Before Selling My Home?

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Should I Replace Flooring Before Selling My Home

Should I Add New Floors Before Selling My Home?

If you are planning on selling your home, then this is a great opportunity to maximize your profits by doing all you can to increase home value. But with all the home improvements available, you will want to choose the one that gives you the most bang for your buck. One of the most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s value and increase its desirability to potential buyers is by adding new flooring.

Did you know, improving the flooring is one of the most overlooked ways of improving the value of your home? It is an easy mistake to make because the conditions of a home’s floor can go unnoticed. That is until it comes time to begin staging the home. If the furniture has been rearranged in the staging process, the need for a new floor becomes painfully apparent — sometimes too late.

If you are planning a home sale in the near future, it is important to consider the conditions of your floors and how you can increase your bottom line by adding a new floor before your house goes on the market. Here is what you need to know about pulling off this project for maximum profitability.

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Analyze Your Current Flooring and the Local Market

adding new floors to your property before selling

Obviously, the first step is to carefully examine your floor before you decide to invest in this particular upgrade. Make sure you do this when the furniture is pulled back so you can get the best frame of reference possible. If your floor is in decent condition and doesn’t have any considerable signs of damage, then maybe floor replacements are not the most important improvement. But if you have scuffs, scrapes, gouges, or carpeting that is beginning to show its age, then this may be one of the most important investments to make.

Physically, it May Be Time to Upgrade

Old stained carpeting, flooring that has visible signs of moisture or physical damage as well as flooring materials that emit unpleasant odors is bad signs and can reduce your chances of getting a full value price. Another important aspect to consider is the market to which you will be selling your home. Homes in swanky neighborhoods or highly competitive areas of town are often expected to have floors in pristine conditions and homes with floors in bad conditions can be detrimental to your sale.

Mediocre Status Versus Brand New Floors

By the same measure, if your floors are in mediocre condition and you are not selling a home in an especially competitive market, floor replacements may not be the best option for your situation. The best course of action, if you are in doubt, would be to discuss the project with your real estate agent or someone with considerable experience in the local real estate market.

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Details to Keep in Mind When Adding New Flooring

new kitchen with tile floors

If your analysis of your floors in relation to the market has determined that a floor replacement is in order, you will need to carefully consider the best way to move forward. Here are three important considerations to keep in mind to make sure you get the very most from your investment.

1. Flooring Holds More Weight Than You Might Think

Flooring in the home is far more important than many people think. Even though it is easy for the home residents to overlook the condition of the floor, it is virtually impossible for a potential buyer to ignore the smallest flooring details. After all, windows, light fixtures, and furniture can be moved in and out easily, but the floor is the very essence of the sale.

It is essential that a home buyer is given everything they need to imagine their life in the house you hope to sell them. Cracked tiles, smelly carpets, and gouged hardwood floors destroy this magic. The floor itself is what ties all other elements of the home together so keeping it looking good is an important part of making a good impression.

2. Focus on the Areas that Need New Flooring the Most

When you are inspecting your floors, take note of which areas of the floor need attention and which are in basically good condition. The two most important areas of the home that should be remedied are the hallways and living room. This is where the details of the floor conditions are most apparent to potential home buyers.

3. Consider Something Other Than Carpet

Most home buyers expect the bedrooms to have a carpet. But stained and smelly carpets detract from your home in a big way. Buyers are always suspicious of what they will find underneath a dirty old carpet. If your carpets lack their original beauty and freshness, it would probably be best to get rid of them.

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Choosing Your New Flooring

kitchen with dark hardwood floors

Now that you have decided which areas of the home will be getting new floors, it is time to consider what type of floors are the best choice. Here are some ideas to consider:

— Consider Home Style

For best results, choose floor styles that complement their surroundings. Use darker flooring for rooms with plenty of natural light and lighter flooring for dens or hallways that are only illuminated artificially. Unless you are planning to remove all furniture and accessories, make sure the flooring you choose combines well with the other elements of the room.

— Consider Lifestyle

Consider what type of person will be living in this location. If you are selling a home that is perfect for a small family, consider that there will be kids and possibly pets living here. This means a flooring option that will withstand scratching, staining, and moisture, but will also be comfortable underfoot. Kitchens that are designed for extensive cooking projects should also have something that is comfortable to stand on and easy to clean.

— Crunch Numbers

After everything has been considered, the most important part of the project is deciding how much you actually want to invest in this project. Different flooring projects will have different flooring considerations including the costs of removals, underlayment, installation, and more. You want to make sure that the investment made will be recouped with your house sale.

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tile removal

Having Your Floor Removed by DustRam®

Dustless Home Flooring Removal Services

Your old floors will need to be removed before the new floors can be installed. When removing tile flooring, exorbitant quantities of dust including potentially carcinogenic silica dust. Once this very fine particulate matter is released into the immediate surroundings it can take several costly professional cleanings to remove the health risks.

The best solution is to choose a reputable dustless floor removals company that will collect dust at the point of origin preventing contamination. For more information about our superior dustless TILE floor removal services, find a DustRam® certified contractor in your city and receive a free project quote. For the latest news and trends, make sure to check out the blog.

The Difference Between LVT And VCT Flooring

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Difference Between LVT And VCT Flooring

The Difference Between LVT and VCT Flooring

Are you pondering the differences between LVT vs VCT flooring? We’ve got the inside scoop to help you decide which one is best for your commercial or residential property! When it comes to finding the right type of flooring for your needs, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option. This includes understanding what advantages each flooring type brings to your property and whether you prefer specific traits of LVT or VCT flooring. Here is a detailed look at what each type of flooring is all about.

Related Post: Differences Between LVT vs LVP

What is LVT Flooring? (Luxury Vinyl Tile)

luxury vinyl plank what is LVT flooring
www.homefloorsgalore.com

What is LVT Flooring? LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile, a more purified material that is easier to customize based on look. It is also far more resistant to damage and tends to do well when it comes to the overall placement of the tiles.

What is VCT Flooring? (Vinyl Composite Tile)

what is vct flooring
www.trinitysurfaces.com

What is VCT Flooring? VCT stands for vinyl composite tile. This is made from a composite material that is aimed at creating a tile that is made of a minimized amount of vinyl in combination with limestone and other materials. The goal is to go with a more cost-effective material that still looks the part.

Related Post: Signs its Time to Replace Your Flooring

Key Differences Between VCT and LVT Flooring

1. Affordability

When it comes to understanding the differences between these two options, it’s important to focus on one of the most important elements that come into play. This would be none other than the budgetary demands of a project and what you are willing to pay. Most people are going to have a set budget and that needs to be considered. With LVT flooring, you are going to pay the premium price for vinyl tiling.

These are the best tiles available for your project and they are going to cost more than the VCT tiles. The reason has to do with the purity of the materials used to make them and how long-lasting they are. This leads to a greater upfront cost that must be factored into your project. If you are looking to find a good deal, you will have to figure out how much each one is going to cost once it is installed.

Related Post: How to Repair Tile Without Fully Replacing It

2. Aesthetics

It is always important to consider the stylistic nuances of each type of flooring. With LVT flooring, it is easier to get the type of look you are hoping for. Most people are going to have specific colors/patterns in mind that are going to go with the rest of their property. The reason LVT flooring tends to win people over has to do with its pleasing aesthetic.

The tile looks great, and it is personalized down to the last detail. This makes it ideal for those who are selective about the type of tiling they are going with, for their property. On the other hand, the VCT flooring tends to have a more structured approach with limited choices. There are still enough choices to find a good fit, but it is not going to be as tailored as the LVT flooring.

Related Post: All About Dustless Tile Removal Services

3. Permeability

A key factor that tends to play a role in how long the flooring lasts has to do with permeability. Due to how the VCT flooring is made, it is far more porous than its LVT counterpart. When a material is not as pure as the other, it is going to have micro holes in it that can open with time. These holes are not going to create issues in the short term but can become a problem down the road.

It is this permeability that must be accounted for when figuring out what works for your situation. It is important to note, both types of flooring are used in healthcare facilities. This means they last a long time and do well in one of the harshest conditions to be in. While permeability is something to think about, it is not a major issue if you are taking the time to maintain the VCT flooring.

Related Post: How to Prepare Your Floor for Tile

4. Thickness

VCT flooring tends to be thinner than LVT flooring. This has to do with the vinyl that is used to make the tile. With the VCT flooring, there is a bit of limestone and other materials involved in the formulation, which means it is thinner. While LVT flooring tends to be thicker and will last longer due to this reason.

For the most part, the flooring is not going to let you down whether you go with LVT or VCT flooring. However, there are times when the thickness can lead to a situation where there are cracks that start to form in the VCT flooring over time.

5. Durability

It is essential to realize high-traffic areas demand a longer-lasting solution. Flooring that is under duress all the time needs to last and that is not going to be an issue here. However, LVT flooring is known for lasting much longer than VCT flooring due to its makeup. 

It is thicker, less permeable, and built to last. This is good for those who are going to be setting it in a high-traffic part of the property that is going to be used all the time. VCT flooring is known for lasting too but it is not as robust as LVT flooring.

6. Topcoat

This is a key detail that is often ignored when it comes to comparing the options. LVT training comes with a built-in topcoat which makes it last longer. On the other hand, VCT flooring does not, which means it must be applied after. This is not as easy to complete, which means it is possible gaps can be left with the topcoat. This makes it harder to maintain the VCT flooring inside the property.

By having a built-in topcoat, it is known for being easier to manage and you will know it is going to be balanced from one end to the other. For those who are thinking about going with a dustless tile removal solution, it’s best to reach out to Dustram for more information. This is a one-stop option that can deliver premium results and is not going to cut corners along the way.

In Conclusion

VCT

LVT

Vinyl composite tile
has a lower static load resistance than LVT

 

LVT has a higher pounds per square inch rating. A Higher rating essentially indicates the ability to handle higher stati

loads

Installation can take longer due to minimal tile size variations

 

LVT makes for faster installation due to larger tile sizes

 

Costs are typically lower upfront however, maintenance can rack up this number

 

Cost may be a bit higher upfront but the maintenance cost overtime is lower

 

vinyl composite tile will need regular polishing

 

LVT is relatively easier to maintain and clean

 

For related topics to the differences between LVT and VCT flooring, make sure to check out the blog. We cover the latest news and trends on everything flooring and dustless tile removal. For comments, questions, or concerns, be sure to leave a comment below. 

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