Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for many residential and commercial properties due to its sleek appearance, simple maintenance and affordability. Vinyl flooring comes in various forms, each more or less suited to certain applications, so let’s compare vinyl plank vs vinyl sheet flooring to help you decide which is best for your requirements.
The main things to consider when choosing between vinyl plank vs vinyl sheet are budget, room size, subfloor condition, and desired aesthetic.
Note that the upcoming pros and cons are comparing the two types of vinyl to each other, not other flooring materials. You can find comparisons of vinyl and alternative popular flooring choices on our blog.
Sheet vinyl pros and cons
Sheet vinyl comes in large rolls which can be easily cut to the desired size, making it ideal for large rooms or unconventionally shaped spaces. Vinyl sheet products also have a thicker backing than other vinyl flooring types, which not only provides better sound resistance but can also improve water-resistance properties. On top of this, sheet vinyl is usually cheaper to purchase than vinyl plank.
Before choosing vinyl sheet as your new flooring material, take a look at the subfloor in the desired area. Installation of sheet vinyl can be more difficult, time-consuming, and therefore costly than vinyl plank, and it requires the subfloor to be perfectly smooth, otherwise it can bulge or crack. Vinyl sheet is also more prone to discoloration than other types of vinyl, and is less durable in high-traffic areas. If imperfections form, or the floor gets ripped or torn, there’s no way to repair sheet vinyl and the entire sheet must be replaced.
Vinyl plank pros and cons
Vinyl plank, as the name suggests, comes in long, thin board shapes. With plenty of design variety, vinyl plank can be a great visual alternative to natural wooden planks like hardwood or engineered wood, or wood-look floors like laminate.
Compared to sheet vinyl, planks also have better scratch resistance and overall durability. It’s also a much easier fix if the floor is to get damaged, as singular planks can be replaced rather than the entire floor. Vinyl plank can also be installed using a variety of methods, whereas vinyl sheet can only be glued down.
Vinyl plank’s main cons are that it tends to be more expensive to purchase than sheet vinyl, and can also have a lower level of water resistance.
Is vinyl plank flooring better than vinyl sheet?
The two flooring types are very comparable, offering similar benefits. Despite vinyl plank often being more expensive to purchase, the difference in price between vinyl plank vs vinyl sheet is very minimal, and often won’t be the deciding factor. Other differences like varying levels of water resistance or sound reduction are also too minimal to make a large impact in the decision between the two.
Vinyl plank being more durable can be desirable in a lot of scenarios, such as high-traffic areas like hallways. Busy commercial spaces may also choose vinyl plank, but in general, vinyl plank is the more common choice for residential applications.
Vinyl sheet tends to be preferable for larger rooms; we see it utilized in many commercial applications like office spaces, but it also has its place in residential scenarios like kitchens and bathrooms.
Vinyl plank and sheet vinyl offer a range of benefits for both residential and commercial applications. For sheet vinyl, consider whether your subfloor is of a high enough standard to accommodate its installation requirements, and whether the desired space lends itself to a large, cohesive flooring design rather than individual planks. For vinyl plank, consider whether durability is of a high priority, and if the natural ‘floorboard’ look is what you prefer.
Always have your vinyl flooring installed by a professional to ensure maximum safety and longevity.