Selecting the right flooring for your bedroom is a key component of making your space inviting. Your bedroom floor is the first thing you touch when getting out of bed in the morning, so it’s important that it feels warm, comfortable, and soft underfoot. If you’re seeking a cost-effective flooring material, consider vinyl flooring for your bedroom.
When you think of vinyl flooring, you may first think of kitchen or bathroom installations. While vinyl is an excellent choice for areas with regular exposure to moisture, it can also be a great flooring option for the bedroom for its enhanced comfort, soundproofing, and easy maintenance. In this article, we’ll delve into your vinyl flooring options and the pros and cons of installing it in your bedroom.
What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring is an engineered material created from synthetic ingredients like resin, plastic, and fiberglass. It usually has three layers: a wear layer, which protects against damage, a photo layer, which features the design of your flooring, and a vinyl layer that serves as the base.
Vinyl flooring is available in multiple formats and is prized for its ability to authentically replicate the look of natural materials. Luxury vinyl planks mimic natural wood grains and create a similar aesthetic to hardwood floors. Vinyl tiles replicate the look of natural stones like quartz, marble, and slate, or even come in custom colors and mosaics that match your home design. Vinyl sheeting is a type of vinyl that is manufactured in large rolls and can feature highly intricate designs, making it a favorite among designers.
Pros of vinyl flooring for bedrooms
Vinyl offers particular benefits when it comes to a bedroom installation. First, it’s nearly waterproof. Because it’s an artificial material, it’s non-porous and won’t absorb water or moisture. Homeowners don’t need to worry about water warping, molding, or expanding the surface of their vinyl planks. Its water resistance makes it a clear choice for bedrooms with adjoining en-suite bathrooms. It can also be installed in spaces with higher moisture exposure, like bedrooms in basements of a home.
Vinyl is one of the least expensive flooring materials on the market. It typically costs between $0.50 per square foot for a sheet to $5.00 per square foot for luxury planks or tiles. The overall cost of your project can also be reduced if you install the material yourself. Vinyl will often be more cost effective than hardwood and stone, while still accurately depicting natural grains, colors, and textures in its photo layer.
Vinyl flooring is prized for its durability. Its engineered layers are incredibly resistant to scratches, tears, and stains. This makes it an excellent option for bedrooms where families, kids, and pets spend lots of time. Vinyl can be a great choice for bedrooms in rental properties because of its long-term durability. You can expect your vinyl flooring to last between 15-25 years, which is a significantly longer lifespan compared to 5-7 years for carpet.
Depending on the type of vinyl flooring you select, it can also be soft and comfortable underfoot. To maximize comfort, select a vinyl flooring with a thicker vinyl plank and a thinner wear layer. You can also add an underlayment beneath the vinyl flooring to increase cushioning when walking and standing. Vinyl has natural thermal properties, which make it warmer underfoot than natural stones and tiles. Some homeowners even install underfloor heating beneath their luxury vinyl tiles to enhance comfort during cold months.
An additional benefit of vinyl flooring for bedrooms is its natural soundproofing capabilities. Vinyl flooring absorbs sound, reducing ambient noise across rooms and between floors. It’s a popular material in buildings with high traffic or multiple residences for this reason. Adding vinyl to your bedroom can further insulate your room from noise and improve the overall soundproofing of your home.
Vinyl flooring is one of the easiest floors to clean and maintain. Because of its durable protective wear layer, homeowners can vacuum their vinyl floors without risk of scratching or damaging the material. You can use traditional cleaning materials to mop the floor without creating water damage. If a segment of your vinyl flooring is damaged, you can simply replace specific tiles or planks without having to redo your entire floor. In general, it’s much easier to maintain over time compared to hardwood or linoleum flooring, which must be sealed regularly to keep out moisture and prevent staining.
Vinyl flooring is quick and affordable to install, making it a favorite among DIY-ers. Many vinyl tiles have a peel-and-stick design which helps them easily adhere to the floor. Vinyl planks can be installed using a click and lock method, where the pieces fit together to sit on top of the subfloor. Professional installation of vinyl sheeting tends to be more cost-effective than installations for natural flooring materials.
Cons of vinyl flooring for bedrooms
The fact that vinyl flooring is an engineered, artificial material offers benefits in the way of durability and maintenance. However, this also creates some drawbacks.
Vinyl uses non-renewable materials in its construction, including plastics and resins, meaning it is not a “green” building material. It requires significant energy to manufacture, resulting in additional carbon emissions and toxic waste products. It cannot be recycled or incinerated due to its chemical makeup, so discarded vinyl flooring creates waste that will take centuries to naturally break down.
Vinyl can also impact the air quality of your home. The vinyl planks themselves have been shown to off-gas chemicals and toxins when exposed to heat, making them a significant health hazard in the event of a fire. Vinyl tiles with adhesive peel-and-stick designs or glue-down application methods can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous chemicals into your home for weeks after installation, impacting the people and animals that inhabit your space.
Contact us
If you would like guidance on your bedroom flooring options, contact the team at LX Hausys. We can offer tips on vinyl flooring options, flooring materials for your bedroom installation, and the benefits of vinyl flooring for your project.