Vinyl flooring is a man-made material typically designed to mimic the look of natural flooring materials like wood or stone. This waterproof flooring is made up of three layers: a solid vinyl core, a printed image layer, and a protective wear layer. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the most popular style and mimics hardwood flooring. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is designed to resemble ceramic or stone tiles.

Vinyl flooring installation costs $2 to $12 per square foot installed or $1,000 to $12,000 total on average. The materials alone cost $1 to $7 per square foot, and the installation labor adds about $1 to $5 per square foot.

• Sheet vinyl is the cheapest to install at $2 to $7 per square foot for labor and materials, but it's also the least durable and the most difficult to repair.
• Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring cost $4 to $16 per square foot installed. Luxury vinyl flooring is thicker than standard vinyl flooring and tends to hold up better, especially in high traffic areas.

Most professionals advise against painting vinyl flooring because it typically doesn't bond well. If you choose to paint a vinyl floor, clean, sand, and degloss it first for the best results.

Vinyl flooring can be installed over tile in most cases, provided the surface is flat. Installing a new vinyl floor over your existing flooring saves time and money since you don't need to remove or dispose of the old flooring materials.

Vinyl flooring lasts between 10 to 25 years on average. When properly maintained, luxury vinyl flooring can last 20 to 50 years. Vinyl floors don’t need to be sealed but should be replaced when the top layer wears through. Glue-down tiles and planks usually have a longer lifespan than click-lock or peel-and-stick styles.

When cleaning vinyl flooring, use a mild soap or pH-neutral cleaners and avoid using harsh cleaning agents like bleach or ammonia. Regular wet mopping is OK for vinyl since it's waterproof, but steam mopping is not recommended.

Installing vinyl flooring takes 1 to 2 days on average, depending on the area size and whether you're removing the existing floor or installing the vinyl flooring over it. Installing vinyl tiles tends to take longer than installing vinyl planks or sheets.

While vinyl flooring is waterproof and easy to clean, steam-cleaning is not recommended. The heat from steam cleaning can damage the flooring material and cause it to lift or buckle. Additionally, avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia and use mild soap or pH-neutral cleaners instead.

When researching local vinyl flooring installers, be sure to:

• Look for flooring installers specializing in vinyl.
• Compare at least 3 estimates with similar details.
• Hire a company that's been in business for more than 5 years and verify they are licensed, bonded, and insured.
• Read vinyl flooring installer reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Check out pictures of their past installations.
• Get your contract and warranty in writing before they begin the installation.
• Avoid making a large upfront payment. Establish a payment plan instead for work completed.

Ask a vinyl flooring installer the following questions to help you decide which one is the best choice for your needs:

• How much experience do you have with installing vinyl flooring?
• Is your flooring company licensed, bonded, and insured?
• Does the estimate include delivery, installation, cleanup, and disposal?
• Which type of vinyl flooring do you recommend for my floor, and why?
• How long will the installation take, and do the materials need to acclimate in the space first?
• Do you charge extra for moving furniture? If so, how much?
• What is your minimum service fee?
• Do you guarantee your work?