Vinyl Flooring Cost

• Vinyl tiles are 12x12- or 18x18-inches; vinyl sheets are either 6 or 12 feet wide. Prices can start at less than $1 a square foot for inexpensive tiles, but decent vinyl runs $2-$5 a square foot or $162-$405 for a 9x9-foot bathroom, with the higher-end products offering extremely durable and realistic simulations of stone, tile or other materials. Vinyl installation (which may be included in the price) starts at less than $1 a square foot and goes up depending on the complexity of the project.
• Whether tile (usually 12x12-, 13x13- or 20x20-inches) or sheets, linoleum prices usually include installation and range $3-4 a square foot or $250-$350 for that 9x9 room, but high-end linoleum can run well over $4 a square foot.

• Vinyl flooring is plastic made from petroleum, usually with the color and pattern printed on top of the material. Vinyl floors have either a felt or vinyl backing; vinyl backings resist dents better. Some tiles come with a self-adhesive back and are a relatively easy do-it-yourself project; visit Hometime.com for details. Installing sheets of vinyl is more difficult, but FamilyHandyman gives step-by-step instructions. Vinyl floors last a maximum of about 15 years.
• Linoleum is manufactured from linseed oil (some people are sensitive to this) and other natural products, making it biodegradable. The color and pattern is part of the manufacturing process and goes all the way through, so light scratches don't tend to show. Linoleum flooring can last up to 40 years. Developed in the late 1800s, linoleum lost favor in the 1950s, but enjoyed renewed popularity in the 1990s as a "green" building product and an authentic restoration material. Installing linoleum properly requires skill and special tools, but demesne.com outlines the basic steps for do-it-yourself linoleum tile installation
• Whether vinyl or linoleum, the subfloor needs to be properly prepared. The glue used to install the new flooring should be only the type recommended for that brand. If replacing an old vinyl or linoleum floor, you may need to check if there's asbestos in the flooring or in the glue used to hold it down.

• Unusual room shapes can add to the bottom line and there may be additional fees for moving furniture or removing fixtures.

• If you're flooring a small space, ask about vinyl sheet remnants or the bolt ends of linoleum which can be up to 50 percent off, and BizRate.com lists miscellaneous lots of "overstocked" vinyl tiles.

• Vinyl manufacturers include Stainmaster and Congoleum; linoleum suppliers include Forbo Marmoleum and Armstrong. These sites offer referrals to installers.
• Read all care-and-maintenance descriptions and warranties before you buy. Check the company with the Better Business Bureau and ask the installer about training, licensing, bonding and insurance.
• The written contract should include how the old floor will be removed and the subfloor smoothed and prepped, whether furniture moving or fixture removal is included, specific products to be installed, and all labor and materials costs, including edging and doorway trim. If the floor is wider than the flooring sheet, where seams will be and how they will be sealed.

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