Vinyl Sheet or Vinyl Tiles – Which is Better?
Thinking off adding vinyl flooring to your commercial interiors?
Great choice!
There’s lots to love about vinyl flooring. It’s sleek, moisture resistant, available in a variety of designs and very affordable, but did you know there’s also another choice you need to make? And that’s whether to choose vinyl sheet or vinyl tiles.
Each option has its pros and cons, and it’s important to understand what they are before you make your decision.
The Difference Between Vinyl Sheet and Vinyl Tiles
Vinly sheet is exactly as the name suggests. A large 6 or 12-foot-wide roll of vinyl that can be laid out and installed as is. Vinyl sheet is more flexible than vinyl tiles and features few, if any, seams. During the manufacturing process, patterns are printed onto vinyl sheet with a rotary press or with large plates featuring an engraved design.
Vinyl tiles and planks are cut into square or rectangular shapes to mirror the look of tiles or wooden floorboards. The manufacturing process for vinyl tiles is similar to vinyl sheet however the tiles come out much harder and stiffer. Vinyl tiles can either be glued down or joined at the edges so they float over the subfloor.
The Benefits of Vinyl
Whether you choose vinyl sheet or vinyl tiles, there are many key benefits that both options will provide.
Both vinyl sheet and vinyl tiles are cost-effective alternatives to other more expensive flooring types such as tiles or wooden planks. Vinyl is also known to be hard wearing. In fact, vinyl is so durable that most vinyl flooring options come with a lifetime warranty. Vinyl is also known to be resistant to moisture, making it ideal for bathrooms, healthcare facilities and kitchen areas.
On top of these shared benefits, each option has its own set of pros and cons that must be considered when making your decision.
Vinyl Sheet Pros
- Less expensive than vinyl tiles
- Fast to lay when taken care of by professionals
- Has few, if any, cracks and seams where moisture and grime can collect
- The weight provides versatility to loosely lay it over a subfloor or permanently glue it down
- More hygienic and easier to clean
- More practical for the healthcare sector due to the lack of seams where germs can collect
Vinyl Sheet Cons
- Because vinyl sheet comes in rolls, it can be more difficult to install DIY
- Harder to shape around obstructions
- Less variety available compared to vinyl tiles
- Not as easy to repair when damaged
- Prone to curling if the seams are not properly sealed
- Harder to transport compared to vinyl tiles
Vinyl Tiles Pros
- More variety and realism due to the production process used
- Easier to lay than vinyl sheet, making it a more DIY friendly option
- Vinyl planks are even easier to lay than vinyl tiles because there are fewer pieces to lay
- Some vinyl tiles come with click and lock edges allowing them to snap together easily without adhesive. The surface must be dead flat to use this option.
- Can be laid in any orientation such as checkerboard or diagonal
- Some can be grouted for a more realistic tile appearance
- More durable and stable than sheet vinyl
- Damaged tiles can easily be replaced
- Easier to transport
Vinyl Tiles Cons
- Moisture and grime may collect around edges and in cracks
- More expensive compared to vinyl sheet
- Not recommended for the healthcare sector
Install Vinyl in Your Commercial Space
Whether you decide that vinyl sheet or vinyl tile is the best option for your commercial space, at Comfloor, we have the expertise to install both vinyl varieties in a vast range of colours and patterns to suit your interiors.
Whether you need a new floor for your office, school, restaurant or healthcare facility, we’re more than happy to offer any advice you need to ensure the best possible flooring option is chosen for your premises.