Is vinyl flooring an easy, affordable update—or just a temporary solution?
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Arizona. For the last 10 years, she's covered beauty, health, wellness, and travel for leading lifestyle outlets, including NBC, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Glam, TripSavvy, and others. rigid core vinyl flooring
Given that flooring is traditionally such a major commitment, it makes sense that a handful of alternatives—like peel and stick floor tile—have sprouted up to offer a fresh look for less money and less hassle. Peel and stick flooring is applied over your existing floors in a manner similar to wallpaper.
But is it the quick fix of your dreams or just a temporary improvement? Ultimately, the answer depends on your overall budget, space, and personal preferences. To help you make the decision, here's the lowdown on what you can expect from peel and stick flooring.
As with most DIY home solutions, there are both pros and cons to peel and stick flooring. Here are some of the upsides and downsides to using peel and stick flooring.
Vinyl peel and stick flooring doesn’t need an underlayment, so you don’t have to put anything down before placing the tiles. Like the product says, just peel off the backing and stick! This type of flooring is popular not only for its low cost, but also how easy it is to install yourself without the help of a pro.
Peel and stick flooring is made from a vinyl material that's roughly 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters thick (much thicker than wallpaper). It is also sometimes referred to as vinyl plank flooring, vinyl tiles, or peel and stick tiles. It's super easy to apply and sticks to most subfloor materials.
Common floor types you can usually place peel and stick tiles on (depending on the product you buy) include concrete, plywood, tile, and vinyl. Some varieties of peel and stick flooring tiles can also be placed over linoleum, but not all. Be sure to check the product description of the tiles you're buying to see which materials they can be placed over, as not all peel and stick flooring is the same.
This type of vinyl flooring has come a long way from the eclectic sheet vinyl found in outdated kitchens and baths. Instead, today's peel and stick flooring can look like wood planks or stone tile, and options are available for every design style.
"While you might think of the laminate flooring from decades ago—and maybe cringe a bit—peel and stick flooring comes in a huge variety of patterns and styles, and can be an affordable alternative to engineered or more luxury products," says Tamara Day, an interior designer and the host of HGTV's Bargain Mansions.
Depending on the quality and style of the flooring, you can expect to pay between $1 and $5 per square foot, which means that a 200-square foot room costs between $200 to $1000 to have peel and stick floors installed. You can save on the cost by installing the floors yourself, which Day says is surprisingly easy to do.
On average you can expect peel and stick floors to last between five and 25 years. However, their life span ultimately comes down to how well they're installed, how much traffic they receive, and whether they're repeatedly exposed to water.
Excellent installation means that the subfloor is in good shape and completely even before you apply the peel and stick planks. "In a space that is rarely used you will get a lot more life out of it than you would from a high traffic area, but even in your high traffic area, you will have years of use if the flooring installed well," Day says.
While some products are approved for heavier water areas, you may find that the flooring lasts longer if such areas are avoided.
When it's time to upgrade your floors or you just want to change up the look, removing peel and stick flooring is easy for a few key reasons:
While there are tons of benefits to using peel and stick flooring, it's not necessarily the best solution for everyone.
Peel and stick flooring is particularly ideal for spaces where you're looking for a short-term solution or for areas where you don't want to invest a ton of money just yet. "The material is actually very durable and somewhat water-resistant," says Day.
"For instance, I consider them a great solution for a kids' space or a multi-purpose room. Because these vinyl tiles are easy to install yourself and pretty easy to remove later on, you can use them while the kids are young and upgrade the space to something more sophisticated when they've outgrown a playroom."
Peel and stick flooring could also work in a guest bedroom, the laundry room, or even in a walk-in closet. However, they're not ideal for the long term if you might want to invest the money in a better-quality solution.
Day recommends avoiding super high-traffic areas, such as the living room or an entryway. Large spaces may also benefit from a better-quality option since the adhesive used may degrade over time, causing the tiles to shift or curl. Plus, bubbles or inconsistencies in the adhesion can result in gaps or uneven surfaces, which can cause tripping hazards.
While some people opt to install vinyl plank flooring throughout their house and have had a positive experience doing so, it's not necessarily ideal for large spaces.
Peel-and-stick floors have the potential to be damaging to some subfloors as they can trap moisture beneath the surface, which can cause mold growth. That's why Day recommends avoiding major "splash zones," such as bathrooms and kitchens. Avoid humid areas and make sure to quickly clean up any spills before they seep into the seams.
To clean peel and stick flooring, start by sweeping it up or vacuuming it to remove any dirt and debris. Then, mop the peel and stick flooring with warm water and a mild detergent. (To avoid damaging the adhesive, make sure that the mop is only damp, not soaked.) You can spot clean stubborn stains with a gentle cleaner, as well. Be sure to dry the floor with a dry rag to prevent mold.
Yes, you may be able to install peel and stick flooring yourself, as it is designed to be a DIY-friendly option. The process involves measuring and cutting the flooring to fit your floors, and then removing the sticky backing to press the titles into place. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions to best prepare the surface, and take your time to avoid air bubbles or misalignment.
woven vinyl boat flooring Typically, peel and stick tile floors do not need grout. The tiles are designed to fit tightly together, minimizing the need for grout between them. Overall, peel and stick floors are easier to apply and maintain since they don't need to be grouted and re-grouted. However, you can choose to grout the tiles for aesthetic purposes if you prefer.