Flooring is an integral part of a building. People spend a significant amount of money on flooring to create a space that is aesthetically pleasing, spacious, and well-organised. Flooring also makes the building strong and durable. Modern-day flooring is versatile, sustainable, strong and durable. However, people often feel confused when choosing a flooring for their space. There are many options, and it always depends on your needs and desires. However, some flooring options can benefit you if used wisely. Vinyl tile flooring and wood flooring, such as rustic oak flooring, are excellent examples. People often use one of these floorings for their homes or workplaces. Both are strong, durable and versatile. Both make the room look spacious and aesthetic. Both options offer a wide range of benefits. However, there are differences between them in terms of composition and manufacturing, installation methods, durability, maintenance, aesthetic appeal, and costs. If you are unaware of these differences, you have landed at the right place.
This article explores the primary distinctions between vinyl tile flooring and wooden flooring. If you are building your own home or offices and want to choose and finalise good-quality flooring, you can get the best ones from your nearby stores or websites. Floorsave is one such website that offers a wide range of high-quality flooring options, including solid wood flooring, hardwood flooring, oak herringbone flooring, white flooring and laminate flooring, throughout the UK.
Let’s examine some key differences between vinyl flooring and wooden flooring.
Wood Vs Vinyl Flooring Composition
Vinyl flooring and wooden flooring have different compositions and manufacturing processes. The fundamental difference lies in their core materials. Vinyl flooring is a synthetic material. It is primarily composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and several plasticisers. Modern vinyl tiles feature multiple layers, including a back layer for stability, a core layer for durability, a printed decorative layer for aesthetic appeal, and a protective top layer that prevents scratches, stains, and wear. While manufacturing them, experts layer these materials and cut them into individual tiles or planks. Vinyl click flooring is one of the best options available for your space.
Wooden flooring, on the other hand, is directly derived from timber. It consists of two main categories: solid hardwood and engineered wood. They mill solid hardwood planks from a single piece of wood. It showcases its natural grain and character. Oak, maple, cherry and walnut are common hardwood species; they offer unique hardness, colour variations and grain patterns. Engineered wood features a thin veneer of real hardwood, bonded to a high-density fibreboard or plywood core. It provides greater stability and is resistant to temperature and moisture.
Installation
Vinyl tiles are known for their easy installation process. You can either install them yourself with a peel-and-stick adhesive backing or opt for another procedure. Click-lock vinyl planks interlock with each other, similar to laminate vinyl planks. This creates a floating floor that does not require adhesive installation glue. The versatility of vinyl flooring is one of its key selling points, making it a popular choice among homeowners and professionals alike. On the other hand, installing wooden flooring is more complex than installing vinyl tiles, especially when it involves solid hardwood. Therefore, you need professional expertise while installing wooden flooring. Solid hardwood flooring is either nailed down or glued to the subfloor. Engineered wood, whether cheap engineered flooring or the expensive one, comes with a wide range of installation options. Nailing, glueing, and click-lock systems are the major ones. Before installing the wooden flooring, ensure your subfloor or underlay is ready and stable.
Cost consideration
Regarding installation and material costs, vinyl tile is typically less expensive than real wood flooring; do-it-yourself options lower installation costs even further. Solid hardwood generally is the most costly choice, due to higher material and installation costs. The cost of engineered wood is in the middle. Real wood flooring can raise a home’s resale value, but the initial outlay is greater. Over time, wooden floors may also require refinishing.
Impact of these flooring on the environment
When it comes to the environment, your choice of flooring can make a significant impact. Vinyl’s main ingredient, PVC, is derived from fossil fuels and may release hazardous chemicals during production. However, improvements in manufacturing are leading to more environmentally friendly procedures and the development of recycled vinyl alternatives.
On the other hand, wood is a renewable and natural resource, especially from managed sustainable forests that have earned certification from groups working mainly under the government and its organisations. However, it’s essential to be aware of unsustainable harvesting methods and deforestation, which can harm the environment. Carbon emissions are also a result of the transportation of wood products.
Whether you choose luxurious vinyl tile flooring, herringbone parquet flooring or solid wood flooring, it’s crucial to prioritise your needs and the ecosystem above anything else.
