Tips for Preserving Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Flooring, available in plank or tile format, is one of today’s most popular ways to upgrade floors in homes. It goes in quickly and easily, with no glue or serious tools, and can mimic wood, tile or stone, to suit many different decorating styles. Regardless of what format you choose, it’s important to know how to take care of your new floors, so they look great for years to come.
Besides the obvious, like paying attention to manufacturer’s recommendations regarding proper cleaning and avoiding wide temperature fluctuations, you will want to be sure to prevent some of the common pitfalls that can damage your luxury vinyl floors such as wear, scratches, and dents.
Wear and Tear
Almost every home has a high traffic area. Perhaps it’s the mudroom, or the front hall, where everyone drags in all kinds of dirt and grit on their shoes (or paws). One way to protect your new floors and avoid constant cleaning, is to make use of area rugs in high traffic areas to protect your floors from the stuff of life. Be sure to use a rug pad to prevent the rug from rubbing your floor the wrong way and causing damage. Washable rugs are ideal; they can be shaken out routinely or washed according to manufacturer’s instructions. The rugs will keep the dirt off your floor, where tiny particles can lead to the next problem…
Scratches
While all LVF have the same basic components- a core, image layer and wear layer- the wear layer is what keeps your floors looking new longer. This layer can vary in thickness, and a thicker wear layer means your floor will be more resistant to visible scratches. Superficial scratches are usually barely noticeable, but in order to avoid scratching altogether, take care to sweep or vacuum frequently. In addition, never drag heavy objects, such as furniture across the floor. At the very least, use furniture sliders to distribute the weight and make the process easier. If at all possible, consider employing help to move anything that could scratch your floors.
Dents
Speaking of furniture, be aware that heavy items like sofas or anything with a thin or sharp end on its leg can damage flooring. Surprisingly, this can even apply to certain types of high-heeled shoes, which can leave subtle marks and damage your floor. In the case of furniture, the sheer weight of a sofa can cause the legs to leave impressions. To avoid this, use furniture coasters to distribute the weight and prevent damage. Anything which would regularly slide across the floor, such as dining chairs or barstools, should have rubber or felt pads on the legs to help prevent both dents and scratches.
Luxury Vinyl Floors, when properly cared for, can remain beautiful for years. Compared to many other flooring options, they are really very easy to maintain. If you are considering new flooring for your home, visit the friendly professionals at Hill's Interiors. They can help you out by reviewing the options, whether you choose LVF or something else, advise you regarding decor and budget, and also help schedule installation. You can have a great new look to your space- that is both beautiful and easy to care for- in no time!
