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Vinyl Plank Flooring Stores Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

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Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a specific type of plastic product made by layering different materials, including vinyl. The most common type of vinyl floor consist of 4 layers:
• A felt fiberglass or vinyl backing.
• A core layer.
• A decorative layer with the flooring pattern.
• A final “wear layer” on top protects the flooring from scratches and scuffs.

Vinyl is available in sheets, planks, and tiles, giving you options to express your own personal creativity.

Learn about luxury vinyl basics, luxury vinyl gallery, luxury vinyl installation, luxury vinyl questions and luxury vinyl care and maintenance.

Browse Luxury Vinyl
Luxury vinyl flooring | The Floor Store
Vinyl flooring | The Floor Store
Flooring | The Floor Store
Flooring | The Floor Store
Vinyl flooring | The Floor Store
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THE FLOOR STORE

WHY LUXURY VINYL

Luxury vinyl tile and luxury vinyl plank flooring capture the same luxurious, high-end look of hardwood, ceramic tile and stone in colors and surface textures so realistic you – and your guests – won’t be able to tell the difference.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Basics

Today’s vinyl flooring is a great option for many different rooms and situations. The product is known for its durability, a result of the way in which it’s manufactured. Most sheet vinyl currently on the market is made up of four layers, each of which adds something to the overall properties of the product. The layers include a backing material; a central, core layer; a decorative layer; and a final layer to prevent wear and tear to the flooring.

In addition to being known for durability, vinyl is known for its versatility. One of the things that makes sheet vinyl so versatile is the wide variety of patterns and colors that are available. Vinyl’s diverse patterns are the result of a process known as rotogravure, in which the flooring is passed under a large cylinder that imprints the decorative layer. With modern technology, this layer can realistically mimic other flooring products, such as wood or stone, creating a host of possibilities for combinations and patterns.

What To Expect During Installation

Vinyl floor installation can be a tricky business. At the Floor Store, we suggest you have your vinyl flooring professionally installed. Our installation staff have experience with the heavy, difficult work that it takes to ensure a vinyl floor comes out looking the best it can. Any of our Floor Store locations can help you with your installation needs. We can also help you know what to expect before, during and after your vinyl floor installation.

BEFORE INSTALLATION

As with any flooring installation, you’ll need to clear the room of furniture and other items before the vinyl is installed. It may be necessary to remove baseboards and molding in advance; be sure to ask your installer about this. Vinyl floor can be installed on virtually any surface, but it will show imperfections in the materials below it, if they exist. For this reason, it’s important that you talk to an installation professional about your flooring substrate (the material on which the flooring will be installed) before installation. Depending on your subfloor, you may need an underlayment laid before the vinyl is put in place. This will help ensure that the surface is smooth, dry and free of imperfections.

DURING INSTALLATION

Once your substrate is ready to go, vinyl will be installed. Vinyl can be installed with one of three different techniques: full spread, perimeter adhered or floating installation. With full spread installation, installers apply adhesive to the entire substrate. With perimeter adhered installation, the adhesive is only applied to seams and perimeters of the vinyl flooring. Finally, a floating vinyl installation is when no adhesive is used to glue the vinyl to the substrate. As with any other flooring product, it’s important to be prepared and know what to expect when having vinyl installed.

AFTER INSTALLATION

After installation, if you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation to make sure that dust from the installation settles. From there, routine care and maintenance are up to you!

Care & Maintenance Tips

Caring for luxury vinyl tile floors is practically effortless. For routine cleaning, remove loose debris with a soft bristle broom, microfiber mop or vacuum with a soft brush or wood floor attachment. For occasional thorough cleaning, use a mop dampened with floor cleaner specifically formulated for luxury vinyl tile. For spot cleaning, use a damp cloth or sponge with a recommended cleaner. Spills should always be cleaned up immediately to avoid any residue or spots and stains. Common products such as nail polish, red wine and permanent markers can cause discoloration, so address any accidents right away.

Here are 10 tips for taking care of your luxury vinyl flooring:

1. Read the warranty. No one knows how to care for a luxury vinyl floor better than the people who made it, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

2. Sweep or vacuum several times a week or more if conditions warrant. Abrasive dirt and grit tracked in may dull the finish over time in high-traffic areas.

3. Use protective mats both inside and outside exterior entrances to catch dirt, debris, ice and snow.

4. Avoid rubber-backed mats that can discolor floors, unless mats are specifically warranted as colorfast.

5. Beater brushes on vacuum cleaners are not recommended because they may scratch the finish.

6. Use felt protectors or heavy cardboard when moving furniture or appliances.

7. Use non-staining nylon cups or glides under furniture legs to avoid permanent indentations.

8. A mop and warm water is usually be enough for simple cleanup.

9. Do not let a spill sit. Liquids juices, red wine or pet urine can stain if left unattended.

10. Never use abrasive cleaning tools, cleaners or compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is a specific type of plastic. Vinyl flooring is a product made by layering different materials, including vinyl. The most common type of vinyl floor consist of 4 layers: a felt, fiberglass or vinyl backing; a core layer; a decorative layer with the flooring pattern; and a final “wear layer” on top that protects the flooring from scratches and scuffs.

“Resilient flooring” is a term used for flooring that has some elasticity to it. This is the case with vinyl – it is a firm flooring product with a bit of “give.” The terms vinyl and resilient flooring are often used interchangeably. However, it’s important to note that there are some non-vinyl, resilient flooring options, including cork, rubber and linoleum. If you have questions specific to any resilient flooring product, a Floor Store associate would be happy to help. Give us a call or stop by today.

No, as a matter of fact, vinyl is available as sheets, planks or tiles, presenting a variety of options to express your own personal creativity.

No, they’re not. While both products are examples of resilient flooring, they are actually manufactured from completely different materials. While vinyl flooring consists of vinyl, felt and fiberglass, linoleum is made from natural materials such as linseed oil, tree resin, cork dust and wood flour.

Vinyl flooring can be installed in any room in the house, including rooms at, above or below grade (ground level). It can also be installed over almost any type of subfloor (concrete, wood, vinyl), as long as the subfloor is smooth and level. If the subfloor has imperfections, they may show through the vinyl.

The beauty and life of your vinyl floors depends on how you care for it. Follow a proper cleaning routine to keep it looking great over time. A few easy steps can extend the life of your vinyl flooring solution.

Some of Our Flooring Brands:

Mannington | The Floor Store
(707) 387-9546