What grade of sheet vinyl flooring in SFR?

Question

What grade of sheet vinyl flooring do you use in your rentals? I have to replace flooring in a small bathroom in a mid-range single family home.

The bathroom is somewhat small, and the only smaller pieces the big box stores have are the cheapest grade. The remnants they have of the better stuff are so large that I'd be better off just buying new by the foot. So I'd need to pay more per foot, but also buy more square feet, a larger piece (12 x) and waste a lot of it.

I'm OK with paying the extra if people have found the quality and durability worth it. That being said I'd hate to put in the premium grade stuff and have someone's pet leave stains on it, etc.

I don't really want to go with vinyl plank as I don't want seams in the bathroom.

Thanks!

Adam Johnson · Answer

I highly recommend VCT (vinyl composition tile) for rentals. They come in 12x12 tiles, the color goes all the way through so wear is forever, they are easy to install, almost no maintenance (clean and go), and you can buy what you need.  These are NOT peel and stick tiles, they are about 1/8" thick and they are commonly used in commercial installs.  The price is very similar to sheet vinyl, but they last a LONG time, even with tenant abuse.

We buy by the case and keep 2 colors on hand. Leftovers from 1 job start off the next job and we mix/match to make patterns. Tenants think the designs are cool and I know they can't ruin it unless the set it on fire!  Since the color goes all the way through the tile, wear is less noticeable, which is why they are common in commercial locations.

Amie D. · Answer

Gerald David, actually I'm in Bloomington, IN right now. I'll check at the Color Tile.

Gerald David · Answer

Amie D. Yes, my guys will not have to reset the toilet only when using this type of product.

And as for prep, say a tenant takes a knife and cuts the vinyl all up, the installer just has to peel the product off the floor and it's ready to lay new again.  If it was a standard vinyl product, the area would have to be embossed before it's ready for install.

As I am not from Belleview, I don't know your area.  But from a quick search on Google, I see you have a Carpet One store.  The IVC product there is called Earthscapes.  The other stores will have it as Flexitec.  Both are made at the same mill, but Earthscapes and Flexitec have different patterns.

Amie D. · Answer

Roy N., that sounds great, but I don't know any around here, because I normally don't do the work on my rental houses. I decided to do a few things this time because I was nearby visiting relatives, and also wanted to check on the condition of it (I am GLAD I did that, because the manager had the house looking TERRIBLE.) I checked with local stores, but no one had smaller remnants unfortunately. This is a college town and everyone is getting their rentals turned right now... As a side note, there's also a Re-Store locally, but they are out for the same reason.

Gerald David I like that you don't have to remove the toilet though, as that is a time/money saver for the next time. Is that feature specific to this product? How have you found the durability of the product? There is a Colortile here in town.

Gerald David · Answer

Amie D. the IVC product can be floated as well.  In a bathroom, I don't think it would be a problem as people don't usually slide chairs in bathrooms.  If it were in a kitchen, I would apply the pressure sensitive adhesive as kitchens get far more abuse than any bathroom.

I do know Mannington and Congoleum also sell these types of vinyl, but their pricing tends to be higher and you are not getting any better performance for the price.

Roy N. · Answer

Amie D.

I do not know what kind of relationship you have with various flooring providers, but for small bathrooms, closets, etc.  my principal flooring provider typically has linoleum "ends" from commercial installations.   The original customer has already paid for the material, so I will often get small (6-8 x 10) pieces for free ... or maybe $20.   These are high-end commercial linoleum which would normally sell for $75 - $100 yd^2  ... and since the original customers are frequently hospitals, medical clinics, day cares, retirement homes, the linoleum tends to be more "fun" than the hordes of vinyl sheet that tries to look like stone, wood, something-else.

Amie D. · Answer

Gerald David, how is this product different than regular floating sheet vinyl? Thanks!

Gerald David · Answer

Amie D. you might try a product by IVC called Flexitec.  You will have extra as it's 13' 2" wide, but you could always roll up the extra and store for the next repair/install.

The advantages of this vinyl: it uses a pressure sensitive adhesive.  No permanent glue required, and it does not require underlayment to be used underneath it.  Also, once you reset the toilet, the installer will just cut around the toilet and seam up behind the toilet.

If and when it needs to be replaced, the vinyl should come up easily, and you will not have to pull the toilet (provided the toilet is not leaking) to install the new vinyl.  Instead of getting a true vinyl installer on the job, you could hire a handyman who could even use the previous vinyl as a template for the new piece.  
                          
Not having to pull and reset toilets and tearout that should take all of 5 minutes should save you $100 per bathroom at least!

You should find this product at your local Color Tile or other neighborhood flooring store.

Colleen F. · Answer

Vinyl planks are good with that glue type seam. I would not put the click lock laminate type in. I have not had luck with those in a kitchen and in a bath I just think they would be a disaster.  The upside of vinyl tile and also I would think vinyl plank is if they damage an area you could limit what you have to replace.

Amie D. · Answer

I'm looking at the vinyl planks, click lock, again. They tell me it's waterproof. Less expensive than buying a large piece of floating sheet vinyl and throwing half away, and the pre-cut vinyl is very thin.

The vct I've found around here just has the speckled pattern seen in commercial installs and I don't think it would look right in this bathroom.

What grade of sheet vinyl flooring in SFR?

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