Sheet vinyl vs. luxury vinyl tile -- which will look better?

12 years ago

Which would give a more upscale look for a small kitchen floor: Armstrong Alterna Durango tile or a sheet vinyl? My handyman is recommending the sheet vinyl, but I've never seen it installed. I am concerned it will look cheap. The floor is for a vintage 1929 bungalow.

Featured Answer

Frostbite Falls

11 years ago

My handy husband installed good quality thick sheet vinyl in the kitchen area of the house we raised our kids in. We lived in it for 25 years and that floor lasted that long. It was virtually indestructible except for an area where I put a hot metal rack down (dummie!) and burned a little line in it. It looked like tile floor, in fact, I was surprised when in about the 10th year we owned the house, a neighbor remarked on how nice the tile was on the floor. She had been in our house dozens of times and didn't know it was vinyl. We no longer own that home and are building our retirement home. I can have any floor I want as my husband is building it for us. Wood? Tile? No way. I am going with luxury vinyl sheeting throughout. It is easy to clean, insulating, dogs don't bother it, stain resistant, kids don't bother it, nothing bothers it. It requires no waxing and is pretty much waterproof. We are going to use nice padding like we did last time. It feels wonderful under your feet and not slippery. If you drop a mug or a bowl in the kitchen, chances are it will not break. Everyone thinks I'm nuts for going with this product instead of nice wood or fancy tiles, but I don't care. I can't be bothered with having to take care of a floor.

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Comments (10)

PRO
Lampert Dias Architects, Inc.
12 years ago
I would use the individual tiles or luxury vinyl rather than sheet vinyl......
karivale
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you! How about marmoleum. I just read about the environmental benefits of this product. How well does it look?
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studio10001
12 years ago
I think it is a very attractive option, especially for period installations, and long wearing, to boot.
Beth Werner
11 years ago
I have the Mannington Luxury Sheet Vinyl flooring (Havana, Smoked Habanero) and it looks very natural and real. There are so many options for Sheet Vinyl now days that look like real wood. I would use that especially if you are installing it where there is a chance of moisture (kitchen, bath, etc.). We installed it from the back entry door, bath, laundry room, kitchen and dining area. It is beautiful!! Have had lots of compliments on how real it looks.
PRO
Flooret
11 years ago
Have you considered vinyl plank? If you are going for a stone/ceramic look then this isn't the right solution, but if you are interested in a wood visual (but with the waterproof benefits of vinyl) I would highly consider this.

Otherwise, tile can have (though not always) a better look than sheet. This is partly due to the texture that can be applied to tiles versus sheet, and also the fact that the pieces are separate. Especially if the tiles have micro-bevels, this will lead to each tile looking "separate", and thus more realistically resemble stone. Another advantage of tile is that it is more of a DIY installation (sheet generally requires a professional installer with experience).
Beth Werner
10 years ago
We just installed IVC Moduleo Embellished Luxury Vinyl Planks and it is absolutely beautiful! Everyone thinks it's real wood. We did the glue down rather than the click as recommended by several people. Love, love, love it!
psychologynart
8 years ago
i love the luxury vinyl tile, which I installed, but my realtor says people are taking luxury vinyl tile out because air pockets get under them. ?
PRO
Flooret
8 years ago
psychologynart, with any floor covering it is important to get your subfloor flat. Peaks and valleys will result in problems regardless of what floor you go with. In the case of sheet products or carpet, the subfloor imperfections will telegraph through and create an uneven floor. In the case of a more rigid product, such as wood, tile or rigid vinyl, air pockets will result underneath. This will not only create these "air pockets" your realtor refers to, but can also lead to your floor cracking or damaging over time. This is not a fault of the floor covering, but rather of the subfloor.
Fran Guerin
5 years ago
@Beth Werner do you still love your floors??

@Frostbite Falls what brand sheet vinyl did you decide to use?