I’m always looking for ways to beautify my home so when Beautifully Responsible reached out to me, I absolutely had to look into what they were talking about. What was it? Resilient flooring, of course!
Beautifully Responsible doesn’t sell the flooring themselves, but they’re trying to promote awareness about it. Sustainability is a pressing issue these days, and Beautifully Responsible focuses on working with manufacturers that produce environmentally-responsible products.
That sounds great, but as a consumer, I wanted to know what otherent flooring could offer me. As it turns out, there are quite a few! In this article, I’ll share the benefits resilient resilient flooring, the benefits it can have for your home, and why you might want to consider the upgrade. With that out of the way, let’s get into it!
This post has been sponsored by Beautifully Responsible but all opinions are entirely my own. #ad
The Problems of Traditional Flooring Options
I think the best place to start is by taking a closer look at more traditional flooring options. There are a number of them, such as natural stone, laminate, and hardwood. Unfortunately, all of these bring their own unique issues to the table.
Natural stone is expensive and requires sealing. Laminate doesn’t look very realistic when compared to genuine hardwood and can be easily damaged by water. Think hardwood floors are the way to go? Not so fast – they’re prone to scratching!
Of course, each type of flooring will bring a different set of problems that you—as a homeowner—will have to deal with. Fortunately, resilient flooring is a type of durable flooring that aims to solve these issues in an environmentally responsible way.
Resilient Flooring – What Is It?
Alright, so I’ve talked about resilient flooring a lot so far, but what exactly is it? Well, resilient flooring doesn’t actually refer to a specific type of flooring. Rather, resilient flooring is a category of flooring that includes a couple of different options for you to choose from.
The Different Types of Resilient Flooring
Beautifully Responsible lists seven different types of resilient flooring on their website. The most popular, by far, is LVT, or luxury vinyl tile. LVT is a highly realistic alternative to more traditional flooring surfaces.
It can be designed to look like ceramic tiles, stone, or even hardwood. This highly durable flooring is resistant to water, tolerant of pets, and can even have individual tiles replaced. No longer will you need to replace the entire floor, which helps save you money if repairs are required.
There are other great options, though, which include:
Cork
This isn’t a super common flooring choice, but it is one that’s highly sustainable. Harvested from cork oak trees and bound with resins, cork is effective at limiting noise from footfall, making it great for high-traffic areas.
However, it’s worth noting that cork isn’t good for “wet” rooms, so you should consider alternative options for your bathroom.
Linoleum
You might be a bit more familiar with this flooring option. Surprisingly, linoleum is actually renewable and sustainable as well, being made from a combination of natural ingredients. It’s extremely resistant to scratches, making it a great option for pet owners.
Rigid Luxury Vinyl Tile
Resistant to humidity, water damage, and temperature changes, Rigid LVT is essentially an upgraded version of the more basic LVT options.
The main difference between the two is the RLVT’s SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) core. This core improves overall durability and sound absorption at the cost of a slightly cooler feel on your feet.
Rubber
This option is commonly found in more commercial settings, like your local gym. It gives your feet plenty of friction, minimizing the potential for slips and falls. It’s also extremely easy to clean, very durable, and can be found in a number of different colors to match nearly any room aesthetic.
Sheet Vinyl
Requiring very little effort to clean, offered in a number of different styles, and highly resistant to water, sheet vinyl is another great option for the average homeowner. Being seamless, it prevents water from getting through, limiting potential problems that could arise from mildew and mold.
Vinyl Composition Tile
Being extremely easy to install, VCT is a great option for DIY lovers. It’s affordable, durable, and offered in a wide variety of styles and colors to perfectly match the room you’re placing it in. It’s also fairly common. In fact, you’ve probably seen it before in your local supermarkets!
Yes, You Can DIY!
One of the best things about resilient flooring (in my opinion) is that you don’t necessarily need to hire a professional to install it for you. That doesn’t mean you can’t, but if you have the time and want to save a few bucks, doing it yourself is always an option.
Many of the popular options like LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) use a tongue and groove system to hold them in place. All you need is a flat surface to lay them on, AKA the original flooring. This system keeps the flooring firmly in place without the need for adhesives.
However, this isn’t a universal solution. Some flooring types like sheet vinyl or linoleum use adhesive to secure them. Do some research on the options before purchasing to ensure you’ll get the installation style you’re after.
The Best Time to Upgrade
The best time to upgrade is usually right away, but you don’t necessarily need to upgrade this instant. Still, your new resilient flooring will need a smooth surface to be installed on. This means you’ll want to install this new durable flooring before your current flooring takes any major damage.
Thankfully, there are plenty of great options for you to choose from. Don’t be afraid to take your time and find an option that you really love. After all, it’s going to last for a while! Remember, you can always head over to Beautifully Responsible for ideas and inspiration.
Prefer something local? Chances are, your local hardware store has plenty of resilient flooring options as well.
Hopefully, you guys found this topic as interesting as I did. Are you considering an upgrade yourself? Perhaps you already have resilient flooring installed in your home. Either way, be sure to let me know in the comments below.
FAQs About Resilient Flooring
What is the difference between vinyl flooring and resilient flooring?
Vinyl flooring is a specific type of flooring, whereas resilient flooring is a category of flooring that also happens to include vinyl flooring.
What is the most resilient flooring material?
I would consider Rigid Luxury Vinyl Tile to be the most resilient type of flooring material. However, all of the options listed above are fairly durable.
What is the difference between resilient and non-resilient flooring?
The main feature of resilient flooring is its ability to bend and give. Whereas non-resilient flooring will crack when deformed, resilient floors simply bend and/or compress slightly. Once the pressure is released, they will return to their original form.
Is resilient flooring waterproof?
Some, but not all, resilient flooring options are waterproof. If your flooring is made of vinyl and lacks seams then it’s most likely completely waterproof. Other options, like cork, are generally considered to be “water-resistant” at best. Do your research when considering options for wet or humid areas like the bathroom.
What is the lifespan of resilient flooring?
Best case scenario, a resilient floor could theoretically last up to 100 years! However, setting expectations of ten to twenty-five years are much more realistic. Ultimately, how long your flooring lasts will largely depend on care and how you use it.
Is resilient flooring expensive?
In general, resilient flooring tends to be cheaper than traditional flooring. Even if you’re looking at high-end luxury options, you’ll still end up paying less than you would for more traditional, premium options.
