Vinyl Sheet vs Vinyl Plank: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to flooring, there are a lot of options to choose from. But if you’re looking for a durable, affordable, and easy-to-maintain option, then vinyl flooring is a great choice.
In this guide by the Virgin Carpets and Flooring team, we’ll take a closer look at two of the most popular types of vinyl flooring: sheet vinyl and vinyl plank. We’ll go over all the pros and cons of each flooring type so that you can decide which one is right for your needs!
What is Vinyl Flooring?
To start off, let’s first answer the question: what is vinyl flooring? Vinyl flooring is a type of synthetic material made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) that has been reinforced with fibers for added strength.
Vinyl flooring is often used in commercial and residential settings because it’s durable, easy to clean, and relatively inexpensive. It’s also available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so you can find vinyl flooring that matches your style perfectly.
At Virgin Carpets and Flooring, we offer premier luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring options. How is LVT different from regular vinyl flooring? LVT is made with multiple layers of high-quality vinyl and a tough wear layer that makes it more durable and longer-lasting than regular vinyl.
Now that we know a little bit more about vinyl flooring in general, let’s take a closer look at sheet vinyl and vinyl plank.
Vinyl Sheet
Vinyl sheet flooring is a type of vinyl flooring that comes in large, continuous sheets. It’s typically around 6 feet wide, and can be cut to any length. Since sheet vinyl comes in large sheets, there are fewer seams, which means your floor will look smoother and more polished.
Vinyl Sheet Advantages
- Price: Vinyl sheet flooring is less expensive than other types of flooring like wood or tile. It’s also the less expensive vinyl flooring option.
- Ease of Installation: Vinyl sheet is very easy to install; in fact, many homeowners opt to do it themselves.
- Low Maintenance: Another advantage of vinyl sheet flooring is that it’s very low maintenance; just sweep or vacuum regularly and mop as needed.
- Water Resistant: It’s also resistant to water and stains, making it a great choice for moisture prone areas or places where spills are likely to happen (like the kitchen or bathroom).
- Less Seams: Because sheet vinyl comes in large rolls, you can usually install it without any seams, giving your floors a smooth, uninterrupted look.
- Beautiful Designs: Vinyl sheet is available in wood grain patterns that can give your home or office an elegant look at a fraction of the cost of real hardwood floors.
Vinyl Sheet Disadvantages
- Difficult to Repair: If a section of vinyl sheet gets damaged, it can be very difficult to repair. You would likely need to replace the entire sheet.
- Can’t Be Refinished: Unlike hardwood floors, you can’t refinish vinyl sheet flooring; once it’s damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
- Not as Durable as Other Flooring Types: Vinyl sheet flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring like tile or hardwood. It can dent or scratch more easily and may not be suitable for high-traffic areas.
Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring is a type of vinyl flooring that comes in thin, rectangular planks. It’s designed to look like hardwood floors, and comes in a variety of wood grain colors and finishes.
Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners because it’s durable and easy to install. It’s also more affordable than hardwood floors, and because it’s made from vinyl, it’s water-resistant.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Advantages
- Resilient Flooring: Vinyl plank flooring is more durable than sheet vinyl; it’s designed to withstand heavy traffic and resists scratches and dents.
- Easy of Installation Install: You can usually install vinyl plank flooring yourself, and it’s a quick and easy process.
- Easily Repaired: If a plank of vinyl plank flooring gets damaged, you can usually replace just that one plank.
- Water Resistant: Since vinyl plank flooring is water-resistant, making it a great choice for rooms where spills are likely to happen (like the kitchen or bathroom).
- Affordable: Vinyl plank flooring is more affordable than hardwood floors, making it a great choice if you’re on a tight budget.
- Beautiful Designs: Vinyl plank flooring comes in a variety of wood grain colors and finishes, so you can find one that matches your style perfectly.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Disadvantages
- Can’t Be Refinished: Once vinyl plank flooring is damaged, you can’t refinish it; you’ll need to replace the entire plank.
- Not as Realistic: While vinyl plank flooring looks like hardwood, it’s not as realistic as the real thing.
- Limited Application: Vinyl plank cannot be installed on uneven floors like concrete; it can only be installed on level surfaces. Since most basements have concrete floors, vinyl plank would be ruled out for this space.
TL;DR: Which Vinyl Flooring Option is Best for You?
Here’s our recommendation: If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-install, and low-maintenance option, then vinyl sheet flooring would be a good choice. However, if you’re looking for a more durable option that will withstand heavy traffic, then vinyl plank flooring would be a better choice.
Still not sure which vinyl flooring option is right for you? The professional flooring team at Virgin Carpets and Flooring is here to help! We would be glad to go over your needs and find an option that’s perfect for your home or business.
Turn to Virgin Carpets and Flooring for Your Vinyl Flooring
Whether you choose vinyl sheet or vinyl plank for your new floor, make sure you choose a reputable vinyl flooring brand that will stand the test of time.
At Virgin Carpets and Flooring, we offer a premier selection of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) options that will beautify your living space such as Karndean Designflooring, CORETec, Eastern, and Engineered Floors. Our team members are available in our showroom to help you choose the perfect vinyl flooring option for your home or business.