Linoleum is a bit difficult to handle and lay, and usually comes in a restricted range of not very exciting colors. It is now rarely laid in private houses.Cushioned vinyl sheet is probably the most popular type of sheet flooring used today. It consists of a printed pattern sandwiched between a vinyl backing layer below and a thin clear vinyl wear layer on top. Beneath the backing layer is a layer of soft foam - to make the material softer to walk on, and to take up slight irregularities in the sub-floor.
Many bright patterns and col¬ors (including embossed effects) are available. The material is generally a good choice for bathrooms and kitchens - though it is important not to let water get down between scams. It can¬not tolerate very hot things, such as lighted cigarettes and hot coals from a solid-fuel boiler, and it is not very suitable for rooms with under floor central heating.Vinyl is very prone to scratching, so should be kept clear of dirt and grit, and polished regularly with an acrylic polish.
Avoid the cheaper cushioned vinyls which do not wear so well. Smooth vinyl sheet is cheaper than the cushioned type and a little less prone to damage, but is generally less pleasant under¬foot. Otherwise its pros and cons are similar. Vinyl tiles are available either plain or cushioned in a wide range of colors and patterns, including imitation ceramic, wood and stone as well as the less expensive plain vinyl tiles. Pros and cons are similar to sheet vinyl, but the tiles must be laid without gaps to prevent water getting under them.
More resilient than normal vinyl tiles are the solid vinyl types designed for professional fixing. These are not cheap, but place an emphasis on design and quality.Clay tiles are usually cither glazed ceramic floor tiles or clay floor quarry tiles. Glazed ceramic tiles are available in a range of patterns, colours and shapes. Quarries come in a limited range of red and brown shades, the tiles are square and are usually rougher in shape and finish than glazed ceramics.Clay tiles are extremely durable, but are noisy and cold underfoot and slippery when wet unless special slip-resistant ones are used.
A damp-proof course may not be needed but it is still a good idea.Cork tiles are very comfortable, but not very durable. For kitchens and bathrooms, it is probably best to use un-finished tiles. These have to be sanded and then sealed with coats of polyurethane sealer this will prevent water getting down between the tiles. Pre-finished tiles are easier to lay, but do not have this advantage. Cork tiles covered with a thin vinyl wear layer are also available but these are less durable. Wood makes a very attractive and fairly comfortable floor.
Wood generally has good durability, though it is not very tolerant to water. Perhaps the most popular type for domestic use is the wood mosaic panel - small strips of wood built up in a basket-weave pattern to form a panel about 18in square and stuck to a bitumen felt backing. Overlay strip flooring looks like superior, narrow floorboards. Blocks can be laid in the traditional herringbone parquet flooring pattern. Most wood flooring is solid hardwood some types have a thin hardwood layer bonded to a plywood backing.
Even these types are unlikely to wear away with normal domestic use.One of the latest developments is a flooring which has a thin veneer of wood over a cork backing with a protective vinyl layer. This is not easy to lay well.Carpet tiles are easy to lay and have the advantage that they can be cleaned easily and damaged tiles can be replaced.Sheet or tile?With vinyl flooring there is often a choice between sheet or tiles. Both types have advantages and disadvantages.Sheet flooring is available in widths up to 12ft (for imperial sizes) or 4m (for metric), so whole floors can usually be covered without unsightly joins.
A wide range of patterns is available - some of them imitating tiles. Wide sheet flooring is rather difficult to get home and to lay though specially flexible, fold-able types are available. A mistake in cutting to size can prove very expensive and with irregular shapes a lot of material may be wasted.Tiles are relatively easy to lay, and mistakes in cutting usually waste only a single tile. The odd tile which gets damaged in use can be replaced. But the range of patterns and colours may not be so great, and there are many cracks through which dirt and water can seep.
Now you have learnt about different ways to cover the floor. You should know how to lay flooring and how to lay a chipboard floor.
