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vinyl flooring

Measuring the pros and cons of vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring doesn’t pose many disadvantages. In fact, it is one of the best options if you are looking for durability, easy maintenance, and good looks. However, like every other flooring option, vinyl isn’t perfect. It may be more appropriate for some homeowners than others. The Pros of Vinyl Flooring

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Recofloor Celebrates 10 Years of Vinyl Flooring Recycling

Recofloor is celebrating in 2019 ten years since it started recycling waste vinyl flooring. The Take Back scheme was first set up back in 2009 by Altro and Polyflor and it has now recycled a total of 4,300 tonnes of waste vinyl material. “Plastics are hot news at the moment and

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Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

vinyl flooring

Measuring the pros and cons of vinyl flooring

Vinyl flooring doesn’t pose many disadvantages. In fact, it is one of the best options if you are looking for durability, easy maintenance, and good looks. However, like every other flooring option, vinyl isn’t perfect. It may be more appropriate for some homeowners than others. The Pros of Vinyl Flooring Affordability This is perhaps the biggest benefit of vinyl flooring. Compared to wood and tiles, the upfront cost is pretty low. You can spend less than $1 per square foot on the lower end. Even though rigid core vinyl planks are more expensive, their average price per square foot is lower than alternative flooring types. Hardwood flooring or carpet, for example, can cost up to double the price of vinyl. Variety of Finishes Vinyl flooring comes in a variety of beautiful finishes to suit different needs. The floors are available in traditional and modern designs, including hardwood, stone, and marble imitations. You can also choose from abstract patterns and motifs for modern and contemporary rooms. Scratch-Resistance Vinyl planks are scratch-resistant. They are hard to damage because of the resistant wear layer. Unlike hardwood which exhibits dings and dents after years of use, vinyl will look great for a long time. Durability With proper maintenance, quality vinyl flooring options can last very long. It can last much longer than hardwood and certainly longer than carpet. Vinyl flooring requires little upkeep to stay in good condition for a long time. This is the sort of flooring where less is more regarding maintenance. You don’t need to use any expensive cleaning supplies. Most detergents and waxes can harm the material. Simply use a homemade mixture of hot water and white vinegar to clean your floors. Alternatively, you could mop the surface with a cleaner for vinyl flooring. Great for Pets and Kids Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice if you have children or pets. Even though it isn’t always fully waterproof, all types of vinyl are water-resistant. You don’t need to worry about accidental messes and spills staining your floor. You can simply clean with a mop or vacuum. Comfortable On Your Feet Vinyl flooring is softer and easier to walk on than hardwood or tile, even though it isn’t as comfortable as carpet. This is a significant advantage, especially if you want to put new flooring where people need to stand for extended periods. The ability of the material to maintain room temperature is another benefit in terms of comfort. Simply turn on the central heating, and your vinyl floor will feel reasonably warm to the touch. This perk is especially significant if you enjoy being barefoot inside your home, even during the cooler months. They Can Look Like Anything One of the best things about vinyl flooring is that it can be customized to look like anything you want. Your selections are obviously limited to what the manufacturer has to offer. However, you can always find something for your space. Would you like your vinyl planks to resemble natural wood? Do you want them to look like stone, wood, or a huge flower? You can have whatever you want. The Cons of Vinyl Flooring The benefits of vinyl flooring are undeniable. It is inexpensive, looks like natural wood, and comes in various styles. However, this flooring isn’t for everyone. Here are a few disadvantages of vinyl flooring: In conclusion, vinyl flooring is ideal for modern homes or renovations on a budget. Depending on the type, this flooring can simulate real wood at a lower cost. Vinyl flooring is also simple to install and maintain. It might not be as durable as tile or have the same market value as hardwood, but you can still count on it to last for many years.

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Recofloor Celebrates 10 Years of Vinyl Flooring Recycling

Recofloor is celebrating in 2019 ten years since it started recycling waste vinyl flooring. The Take Back scheme was first set up back in 2009 by Altro and Polyflor and it has now recycled a total of 4,300 tonnes of waste vinyl material. “Plastics are hot news at the moment and we are proud to be instrumental in recycling our waste vinyl flooring. We, as well as Altro, invest significant amounts of time, energy and money into the scheme,” said Bob Smith, Polyflor’s Technical Director. Barry Hall, Altro’s Manufacturing and Technical Director also commented: “Companies working with Recofloor are leading the way in terms of resource recovery and circular economy. This takeback scheme is helping Altro in terms of its sustainability programme and ambitious growth plans.” With more than 700 collectors throughout the UK and Ireland and more than 60 drop-off sites accepting waste vinyl flooring, the scheme sees smooth and safety vinyl offcuts and roll ends, uplifted smooth vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and loose lay being recycled back into new products, including flooring manufactured by Altro and Polyflor. “We are truly proud of our achievements over the past decade and certainly credit is due to all our members – flooring companies, contractors and distributors – who continue to work tirelessly to support the scheme. Everyone deserves a big pat on the back for their efforts and enthusiasm,” said Recofloor’s Project Officer Joe Gardner. Recofloor made an impact right from the beginning, winning several high-profile environmental and innovation awards for its recycling achievements within the scheme’s first five years. More than 450 tonnes were collected solely during 2011, and in 2013, the scheme was recognised with a Green Apple Gold Award for Environmental Best Practice. By the time Recofloor reached its fifth birthday in 2014, the scheme had toppled a 2,000-tonnes collection milestone. 2015 saw over 100 new members join Recofloor and by that year, the scheme had saved more than 2,000 tonnes of CO2. Further awards recognition was to come, including the Letsrecycle.com Award for Excellence in Recycling & Waste Management in 2016. The following year, Recofloor broke through the 3,000-tonnes collection total and had more than 1,500 Twitter followers.

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