What is vinyl flooring?

What is vinyl flooring?

No, we are not going to talk about records. Have you ever heard of vinyl flooring? It’s the perfect type of flooring to use in any kind of room. Vinyl is not a natural material, but a synthetic man-made type of plastic. It is made from ethylene which is found in crude oil and chlorine, found in regular salt. When processed, these substances are combined to form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin, commonly referred to as vinyl.

When was vinyl discovered? It was originally invented in 1920 by scientists who wanted to develop a material that was more durable and cheaper than anything else available at the time. Flooring is one of the most common applications of vinyl.

Since then, vinyl flooring has become truly established as a fully-fledged alternative to other types of flooring such as parquet, tiles or laminate. People all over the world are now choosing vinyl flooring for use in one or more rooms of their home. In addition, many interior designers choose vinyl flooring for projects such as hotels, shops, gymnasiums, restaurants and office spaces because of its many advantages.

What is a vinyl floor made of?

Cushion vinyl floors consist of large sheets of vinyl wound on a roll. They are available in rolls 2, 3, 4 or even 5 metres wide. Cushion vinyl can be loose layed or glued to the subfloor of your room, whether it’s a living room, kitchen or bathroom. Moreover vinyl floors are also ideal in commercial spaces such as restaurants, shops and hotels, and public areas such as schools or hospitals.

Cushion vinyl consists of multiple layers of different materials that add to its durability. You can check out the numerous advantages in our benefits of vinyl blog post.

Cushion vinyl consists of the following elements:

Backing (+ a felt backing for some products)
Glass fiber interlayer
Print layer
Foam layer
Impregnation layer
Wear layer on top of the print layer
An optional PU lacquer to increase the durability and hygiene

Vinyl flooring offers many advantages

One of the main advantages, next to quality and value, is the hygienic aspect of this type of floor. It's the ideal floor for homes with families or people with allergies.

Another great advantage is that it replicates the authentic appearance of wood and tiles, without the disadvantages of being hard to clean and maintain, and the extra cost of these materials. Therefore it’s often the perfect alternative for wooden or tile floors.

Vinyl is an environmentally friendly material. 57% of vinyl is made from common salt, which is a renewable natural substance. Non-replenishable resources, such as crude oil only account for 43% of vinyl resin. In comparison to various other materials used by the flooring industry, vinyl requires less natural resources, utilises less energy to manufacture and also releases lower emissions into the environment.

On top of that, vinyl is a material that can last for decades. And when its lifetime is nearing an end, the material can be recycled.

You can install a cushion vinyl floor almost anywhere: in the living room, bedroom or even in the bathroom, kitchen or basement. However, some adhesives used for installation are water-soluble and should not be exposed to water for an extended period of time. Check our installation video for more information.

Cushion vinyl floors are used all over the world because of their advantages. Many people choose this type of flooring because of its practicality. In addition to the technical benefits, many interior designers also choose vinyl flooring for its endless design possibilities.

You can find vinyl floors in a wide range of colours and patterns. At Ultragrip® we are particularly proud of our bespoke service, where you can have your own design digitally printed on the vinyl floor. In other words, a vinyl floor offers the endless creative possibilities which designers love. It gives your home or workplace the ultimate original touch. If you have a public space such as a hairdressing salon, shop, café, restaurant or similar, our digitally printed vinyl floors will make you stand out from the crowd.

Our in-house design studio listens to customer feedback and incorporates the latest trends to produce inspiring collections. This two-sided approach ensures that our designs are always up to date. But there’s more. Thanks to our digital printing technology, you can (co)create whichever design you have in mind. We are confident that we are the only supplier in the flooring business to offer such a high level of customisation.

Your bespoke design can be protected by a tough PVC-wear layer to make sure that it will stay looking good for many years to come. What’s more, many of our floors used in a commercial setting benefit from an antibacterial treatment which prevents the growth of bacteria on the surface and kills germs within 24 hours.

Different types of vinyl flooring

There are 2 types of vinyl flooring: homogeneous and heterogeneous. Homogeneous vinyl is made of a single layer of vinyl which at first glance may look attractive but will soon wear. Heterogeneous vinyl is a multi-layer process which allows you to create the look and feel of natural flooring materials whilst being durable and hard wearing. Ultragrip® only produces heterogeneous vinyl.

Why choose a vinyl floor?

If you are looking for a durable floor that is easy to clean, silent and comfortable to walk on, then vinyl is the right floor for your home. You can install a vinyl floor anywhere: in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom or hallway. Ultragrip® has an extensive collection, so you are sure to find a design that matches your taste and the rest of your interior. Because of its sound absorbing properties cushion vinyl is ideal for apartments or upstairs bedrooms.

How many rolls of vinyl do I need for my floor?

Now that you have chosen a vinyl floor, how do you measure the right amount? The best way to calculate how much vinyl you need, is to measure the size of the room and add an additional 5 to 10% to cover any irregularities or shortages due to cutting the vinyl at the corners and edges. Our rolls come in widths of 2, 3, 4 and even 5 metres. Depending on the size of the room, this should generally allow you to create a seamless floor.

In conclusion

As a leading manufacturer of vinyl floors, Ultragrip® offers an extensive collection of high-quality cushion vinyl rolls. We are at the forefront of the latest trends and technologies to inspire and delight our customers, but don't just take our word for it. Please discover our floors (for your living room, bedroom, hallways, bathroom, kitchen or home office) for yourself by browsing our website. Ultragrip has a gorgeous vinyl flooring solution for every space.

Installing a vinyl floor is as easy as 1-2-3. Soft, supple, and available in a variety of widths (up to 5 meters), you can cut the vinyl with a simple utility knife. This practical characteristic is very much appreciated when you want to change the design of any room in your home. You can glue or loose-lay our floors as you choose, and your floor will end up looking awesome anyway.

If you are looking for a durable floor that is easy to clean, silent and comfortable to walk on, then vinyl is the right floor for you! You can install a vinyl floor anywhere: in the kitchen, bathroom, home office, living room, bedroom or hallway. Ultragrip® has an extensive collection, so you are sure to find a design that matches your taste and the rest of your interior. Cushion vinyl floors are soft and warm to the touch, which makes them the ideal floor to walk on barefoot.

Ultragrip® is one of the leading producers of vinyl flooring. Our founder started the parent company in 1959, so you might say we’ve had some experience with floors. We started with vinyl floors a long time ago because of their technical superiority to stone and hardwood. With added benefits like moisture resistance, sound absorption and slip resistance, vinyl floors are easy to clean and very long-lasting.

We have always striven to create vinyl floors that combine the latest technologies with an exquisite look, to help you turn your house into a home. Discover your perfect pattern, colour and motif in one of our many collections.

Looking for a nearby stockist? Feel free to check our dealer locator.