Now Trending: Vinyl Flooring, Reinvented

Vinyl flooring — known in the industry as LVT ( Luxury Vinyl Tile) — isn’t just for your grandparent’s house anymore. Designers and manufacturers are reinventing one of the most durable, resilient options for flooring. And you’d be surprised with just how good it looks.

Vinyl flooring has always been a durable, affordable flooring material, but it hasn’t always been known for its style. That’s changed significantly in the past decade, with manufacturers now creating beautiful, cost-effective products that realistically mimic hardwood floors or tiles. As Carleton Krause​, Commercial Business Manager of Karndean Designflooring, puts it, “The technology behind vinyl, that makes the material look realistic, has evolved to the point that you need to touch the material to realize it is vinyl. We at Karndean actually travel the world so we can ensure we capture all the elements that nature has to offer to create simply beautiful floors.” With better products comes higher demand; one study found that demand for vinyl flooring has doubled in the past five years. Now, designers and builders of luxury homes are opting for vinyl because it aligns with the aesthetic that buyers want, while still being durable. 

Of all the home design trends that are making a comeback, what other factors make vinyl’s revamp relevant? According to Krause​, sustainability and environmental impact plays a huge part. “By far the most innovative change to vinyl is the reduction of impact it has on the environment. All in all, you are using a material that is design-forward, constructed for resiliency and is environmentally responsible.” Manufacturers — including Karndean — are also doing their part to make sure materials are conscious of the planet, through pursuing rigorous sustainable accreditations to creating a recycled/reusable controlled cycle. 

So is vinyl just a “thing” of the moment? Or is it here to stay? Krause would say it isn’t going anywhere. Because vinyl doesn’t harbor dirt, dust or bacteria, it’s an effective switch for those with allergies or who want to keep their home clean in a post-pandemic world. Vinyl will hold up for decades against dogs skidding into the kitchen, children dropping pans, adults spilling wine or any other wear and tear. With manufacturers constantly reinventing the product, the potential and possibilities of vinyl design are endless. 

Vinyl flooring has a reputation for being old-fashioned and unsophisticated... why is it making a comeback now?

Vinyl flooring has made huge strides in the right direction when it comes to product innovation and sustainable efforts. The technology behind vinyl, that makes the material look realistic, has evolved to the point that you need to touch the material to realize it is vinyl. We at Karndean actually travel the world so we can ensure we capture all the elements that nature has to offer to create simply beautiful floors.

 Most importantly, and by far the most innovative change to vinyl is the reduction of impact it has on the environment. Manufacturers pride themselves on environmental awareness and pursue rigorous sustainable accreditations.

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All in all, you are using a material that is design forward, constructed for resiliency and is environmentally responsible and I consider that a win!

What are some of the benefits to vinyl flooring vs other types of flooring material? 

One of the main benefits of vinyl is that it is going to hold up from all the destructions that home living brings us, dogs skidding into the kitchen, children dropping pans and adults spilling wine. Other materials bring their own benefits but when it comes to vinyl, it’ll hold up for decades to come.

What are some ways designers and engineers are getting creative with vinyl flooring?

Vinyl is very versatile. Since new innovations have emerged, we at Karndean, are delivering a beautiful cost effective alternate that mimics geometric tiled floors or even linen patterns. So designers, have a product that honors natural materials but at a cost effective approach. Also, we have been seeing a lot of wayfinding, using different colors to create “paths,” in a commercial space.

Is vinyl flooring just another trend? Or should we expect for it to become a bigger player in contemporary, design-forward interior design?

 Vinyl is here to stay! Manufacturers are continually reinventing the construction of the product and the potential of design forward possibilities are endless. Also, manufactures are driving new sustainable efforts to bring the product to market responsibly, creating a recycled/reusable controlled cycle. Also, vinyl does not harbor dirt, dust or any bacteria which is very important in this day and age!