Vinyl flooring is the whole package: high-end designs, ongoing resilience, and daily convenience. Built to withstand all sorts of daily obstacles, this enduring floor is an all-around favorite for home and business use. Choose from thousands of nature-inspired options: there are products to satisfy even the most discerning homeowner.

At Alpine Carpet One Floor & Home in South Lake Tahoe, CA, we can help you find your ideal floor in vinyl form. Our vinyl flooring collection spans the hottest brands, including Invincible H20, Mannington Adura Max, Armstrong Luxe, Republic, Shaw, and Bigelow Plank. Here are things to consider as you shop for vinyl flooring.

Types of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is available in planks, tiles, and sheets. Vinyl plank and tile offer up similar construction and abilities: the difference is primarily aesthetic. For the most realistic hardwood designs, consider vinyl plank. If it's authentic tile or stone designs you love, vinyl tile is your best bet.

We think you’ll agree there’s a whole lot to love about wood-look vinyl plank. Sturdy, moisture-resistant, and always eclectic, wood-look vinyl plank is offered up in styles made to capture the distinct beauty of different hardwood species. Its dense, manufactured composition can hold its own against anything: spills, water leaks, heavy furnishings, pet paws and claws, and high heeled shoes are examples. Wood-look vinyl is also very affordable by comparison and is easy and simple to install. Specific varieties can simply be clicked into place, and you won’t ever have to refinish or stain these floors, which only require an occasional mop or sweep to stay pristine.

Vinyl tiles are a great alternative to natural stone and tile flooring. The bulk of our vinyl tiles are made to withstand commercial conditions like heavy foot traffic and rolling traffic, so you know you are purchasing a floor made to last. Vinyl tile provides more warmth underfoot compared to traditional tile, and the thick multi-layered construction also gives the tiles a cushioned feel. Vinyl tiles can mimic the look and texture of natural tile flooring and each layer plays a vital in how the floor will function in your home.

Sheet vinyl is sold 12-foot sheets. It’s manufactured using one of three methods including Inlaid which involves melting colored vinyl granules into a patterned design that maintains is color entirely through to the backing. Inlaid tile provides a thick, durable floor suitable for high-traffic areas. Homogeneous vinyl is constructed using a liquid vinyl resin. This type of vinyl is the most wear-resistant however it is extremely limited in its color options. Its high resilience makes it best suited for commercial application. Heterogeneous construction is the most common method of vinyl assembly. This involves layering an image layer that can simulate multiple materials on top of the vinyl and backing. A wear layer is then applied on top of the image layer to resist against wear. While this method of vinyl construction shows wear sooner than other methods, modern technology allows the wear layer to remain durable and long-lasting.

Is Vinyl Flooring Waterproof?

All vinyl flooring products are sturdy enough to manage a fair degree of moisture. Only select options, however, are 100% waterproof. Waterproof vinyl looks like other vinyl products but has a couple of added features to manage extreme splashes. These incredible tiles and planks are equipped with a reinforced cork backing and absorbent core. Spills are subsequently trapped on the floor's surface, stopping stains and damages in their tracks.

It is not a fun surprise to find out your new floors are only slightly resistant to moisture and can make an impact on your home long term. All vinyl floors feature moisture resistance on the surface with a water-resistant wear layer. Water resistant flooring is best for areas you frequently roam, so you do not forget about them.

Waterproof flooring stops moisture right at the surface with a watertight seal. If moisture makes it past the surface, the core of the planks or tiles will allow the moisture to evaporate and stops it from reaching your subfloors. Unlike hardwood flooring or any other flooring types, waterproof vinyl floor won’t buckle, crack, or warp due to being exposed to moisture.
WPC, or wood plastic composite flooring, is 100% waterproof. Because of this, WPC is perfect for harder-to-floor spots – like your finished basement, laundry room, or bathroom. It’s resilient enough for commercial use, too. With its realistic, hardwood-inspired planks and tiles, WPC can be used to compose very realistic styles.

Rigid core, a hybrid vinyl, is a favorite of hectic households. It can take it all: water spills, foot traffic, even frequent furniture moves. With its enduring core, rigid core feels nice underfoot, and its wide array of colors, styles, and textures will please even the most discerning clients.

Vinyl Flooring Installation

One of the reasons why vinyl flooring is so popular is its incredibly eclectic nature. There are thousands of styles to choose from: including those available in waterproof form. Vinyl plank and tile can go on your walls as well as in the kitchen and bathroom. The only limits of vinyl flooring are within your imagination!

You’ve settled on the perfect vinyl product and you’re pretty darn excited to see it situated in your living room. We can fully relate to this- but we also urge you to take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture. Are you really prepared for your vinyl installation?

Every new floor needs, first, the proper foundation. This means that you’ll first need to remove all traces of the old flooring, then give your subfloor a very thorough scrub-down. Whether your subfloor is wooden or concrete, make sure it has fully dried before moving forward. Then, take a long, close look: is your subfloor even? Even tiny, uneven spots or cracks can be inhospitable to your new flooring, so evening out your subfloor is always time well spent. Are you filled with questions about vinyl flooring or the general installation process? Come chat with one of our onsite vinyl flooring experts.

Our Luxury Vinyl Selection

Alpine Carpet One Floor & Home is proud to be part of the world's leading independent flooring cooperative. Our sheer variety of products and our localized services, and genuine value make us your leading destination for resilient flooring solutions. Please visit us soon at 2212 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, CA, to browse our latest vinyl displays or shop us online today.