Did You Know?Linoleum was discovered in 1855 by Englishman Frederick Walton who thought of it as an alternative to the expensive India rubber.If your home space is a center to juice spills, skateboard activities, pets, damp footwear, and a host of other such trying elements that put your flooring's durability and strength to test, then resilient flooring is your benefactor. Cork, rubber, vinyl, and linoleum are the common types of resilient flooring that are specifically engineered to withstand the test of time without compromising on your aesthetic needs.
Since your floor is the most visible part of your interior space, it is but natural to consider a flooring option that offers the best of both style and flexibility. Resilient flooring offers all that you need without costing you an arm and a leg. But, at the same time, there are some factors that you may want to consider if you are planning on installing it. Through this Buzzle article, we narrow down the pros and cons of resilient flooring in order to help you make a prudent decision for your home.
Vinyl Flooring
Advantages
‥Endless design options: Vinyl flooring materials run a gamut; they come in a plethora of color, texture, pattern and finish options. These materials can simulate varied materials like wood, mosaic, ceramic, marble, etc., and are so faithful to the real materials that one can't tell a replica from the real one.
‥Fuss-less maintenance: Vinyl floors are amazingly durable and do not require frequent fixing, which makes it perfect for active households. They are dust and dirt resistant and make cleaning a cinch.
‥Water resistant: Vinyl's water-resistant property makes it a hygienic alternative to rivals like wood and carpet. This property also helps in keeping mildew and mold growth at bay.
Disadvantage
Vinyl flooring are manufactured using volatile organic chemicals (VOC) that are known to give off toxic compounds, which can lead to respiratory problems and irritation of the eyes.
Linoleum
Advantages
‥Sturdy and springy: Like all resilient flooring, linoleum exhibits the 'bounce back' or springiness quality that makes it desirable when it comes to rolling or arranging heavy furniture and appliances, and dropped objects.
‥Eco friendly: Linoleum is manufactured using natural sustainable products that makes it biodegradable and renewable.
‥Durability: Linoleum ranks high on the durability meter. By means of its hard-wearing property, it makes a good flooring option for hospitals and schools.
Disadvantage
Despite being a naturally water resistant flooring type, Linoleum has a tendency to absorb moisture from sub-floor. This can damage both the sub-floor and linoleum itself. Hence, it is essential to seal and polish it frequently.
Rubber
Advantages
‥Texture varieties: Not only does rubber flooring come with great options for colors and designs but also textures. Rubber flooring are available in smooth, raised dimples, studs, etc., that support anti-slip and make it easy to maintain.
‥Impact resistance: Rubber is naturally impact resistant. It helps in cushioning impacts and indentation, which are of chief concerns in high-traffic areas.
‥Water resistant: Rubber flooring is not permeable to water, hence can be installed in moist areas of your home like bathroom and kitchen. However, if you are planning on installing it below grade, say basement, then it is essential to set up vapor barrier in order to prevent water from seeping in from beneath.
Disadvantage
Rubber is very sensitive to acidic solvents, hence, the flooring needs to be moped with detergents or cleaning products that are specifically designed to clean rubber. It is most likely to get discolored or stained, so you will need to be cautious about the products that you use to keep it clean.
Cork
Advantages
‥Natural insulating properties: One of the primary characteristics of cork is its insulation. Cork is made up of tiny air pockets that renders it as an efficient thermal insulator that prevents unwanted transmission of heat and cold, ensuring optimal temperature throughout the year. Not just that, it also serves as a natural acoustic insulator, which blocks unwanted sounds and noise.
‥Hypo-allergic: Cork shares the human tendency of aversion to dust. This property makes it an ideal choice for those who are sensitive to dust or have asthma. Cork is also easy to clean, which can be ascribed to its hypo-allergic property.
‥Eco-friendly: Cork is made within the safe bounds of our environment. Cork material is obtained from the bark of the Cork Oak tree whose regular harvesting does not hamper the growth of the tree. The bark of the tree grows back after a few years and continues to deliver us with its efficient properties.
Disadvantage
There's no declining that cork has many advantages but with all those benefits there's one downside to it―damage. Unlike its other resilient kin, cork is susceptible to scratches, indentation, piercing, and scraping.
Choosing the right flooring option for your home may seem a little perplexing because of the vast options available. But a sound decision necessitates weighing of both the pros and the cons.
