- 1). Determine what type of appearance your vinyl floor should have. Vinyl planks are available to mimic the look of wood, tile or even stone. Consider the different finish options that are available and decide which of these options will best complement your existing decor. Consider not only designs and patterns, but also color and texture.
- 2). Review the warranty for each product. Look for vinyl floors that come with guarantees on both materials and labor, if applicable. Check to see what each warranty covers, and look for important features like wear layer and backing. If two products are fairly similar, choose the one with the longest or most comprehensive warranty. As a point of comparison, the popular Trafficmaster brand from Home Depot comes with a 25-year warranty, while Armstrong brand vinyl comes with a 30-year warranty.
- 3). Evaluate the durability of each product. Vinyl flooring durability is determined by the wear layer that protects the top of the vinyl. No-wax vinyl is the least durable and is best for light traffic. Urethane wear layers work well in normal residential applications, while enhanced urethane layers are best for commercial applications.
- 4). Consider whether the vinyl is inlaid or printed. In an inlaid vinyl product, the color is embedded into the flooring. Printed vinyl has colors printed only on the top layer, making it much more likely to wear away.
- 5). Look for backing. The thicker the backing layer on your vinyl floor, the more comfortable and long-lasting the floor will be. While backing layers can vary dramatically in thickness and material, the real key to comparing backing is in comparing comfort levels. Stand on a piece of vinyl flooring for a few minutes before you make your purchase. If your feet begin to ache right away, look for a product with a thicker backing layer.
- 6). Compare costs. Consider upfront material costs as well as installation, maintenance and replacement costs over time to help you make the right choice. For example, if you plan to stay in your current home for an extended period of time, it makes sense to invest in a higher quality vinyl floor. If you are simply fixing up your home to sell it, you may want to consider a more affordable vinyl plank product.
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