7. Types of Vinyl Flooring
One of the reasons for vinyl flooring to be so versatile in application is due to the fact that it is manufactured in different forms, thickness, functionality, installation method as well as quality.

Homeowners can choose according to these categories for the vinyl flooring that meet their needs. Here’s what vinyl flooring commonly categorized in..
7.1 Vinyl Flooring In Different Thickness
Due to the difference in material, vinyl flooring is relatively thinner when compared to laminate flooring. Generally, thickness of vinyl flooring ranges from 2mm to 5mm.
Similar to laminate flooring, thicker flooring is better in quality. But wait, there’s more…
(i) 2mm Vinyl Flooring
2mm vinyl flooring is the cheapest among flooring of other thickness. Installation for 2mm vinyl flooring is normally done using glue-down method.
This thin layer of flooring is very sensitive towards any imperfection of subfloor.
2mm vinyl flooring is suitable to be installed on leveled and smooth concrete subfloor. Such sturdy subfloor will be sufficient to support vinyl flooring of 2mm thin.
In terms of durability, 2mm vinyl flooring is considered the lowest among the rest due to it’s thin wear layer. This means 2mm vinyl flooring is only suitable for low traffic usage.
(ii) 3mm Vinyl Flooring
Just as 2mm vinyl flooring, this 3mm vinyl flooring is not much difference in price with the same installation method. Since it is only 1mm more in terms of thickness, it is only suitable to be installed in low traffic area like bathroom or guest room.
Unlike laminate flooring, it also requires a sturdy and flat subfloor for better support. Durability of 3mm vinyl flooring is very much depends on the thickness of wear layer.
You may want to check out with your flooring manufacturer on wear layer thickness for better comparison.

(iii) 4mm Vinyl Flooring
The price for 4mm vinyl flooring will be slightly higher compared to 2mm and 3mm floor. Installation for 4mm vinyl flooring is normally done using glueless click together method, also known as floating method.
4mm vinyl flooring is more durable with it’s thicker wear layer. It is suitable to be installed for areas with more traffic and activities.
Again, any imperfection of subfloor is still pretty visible with this thickness.
It is undeniable that laminate flooring is does better job when in comes to hiding subfloor blemishes. So never risk laying vinyl floor without preparing your subfloor.
(iv) 5mm Vinyl Flooring
5mm vinyl flooring is considered the better in quality and the price is also higher. Remember, you get what you pay.
Vinyl flooring of 5mm thickness is also denser and heavier which allow the floor to stay intact with subfloor without coming off easily. As thicker wear layer is used, 5mm vinyl floor is very durable and suitable for heavy usage.
It is able to sustain high traffic area without being worn off easily. This 5mm vinyl flooring also provides better noise absorption and underfoot comfort.
7.2 Vinyl Flooring with Special Features
(i) Heavy Duty Vinyl Flooring
As it’s name suggests, this type of vinyl flooring is more robust and resistant to wear and tear. Heavy duty vinyl flooring is extremely durable which makes it the number one choice for commercial and even industrial application.
Vinyl flooring with this feature are normally found in sheet form and it is thicker than ordinary sheet vinyl. It is more scratch resistant and tough enough to sustain sudden impact without becoming brittle or damaged easily.
Excellent performance of heavy duty vinyl flooring allows it to be used in various setting such as restaurant, gym, hotel, shopping mall and even factory!
(ii) Slip Resistant Vinyl Flooring

Generally, all types of vinyl flooring come with slip resistant properties. But the differences are the anti slip rating, which also known as R rating.
Most vinyl flooring consists of anti slip rating between R9 to R13. The higher R rating, the better it is in slip resistant.
So do look for R rating if you intend to install anti-slip vinyl flooring.
Higher R rated slip resistant vinyl flooring is normally used for hospitals, elderly care center, nursery as well as dance studio.
Slip resistant vinyl flooring is a perfect choice for slip risk area.
But there’s a catch, it’s effectiveness on slip resistant is only applicable to dry flooring.
After all, there is hardly any type of flooring would claim to be anti slip even when it’s wet.
(iii) Anti Static Vinyl Flooring
This type of vinyl flooring helps prevent trigger of static electricity.
Not many know the fact that this little zap of static shock seems nothing to us but it can potentially damages sensitive equipment. Particularly, medical equipment in hospitals and clinics.
Most of these equipments are to be stored in static-free environment for better protection and accuracy. Therefore, anti static vinyl flooring is a popular flooring option in medical fields and laboratories.
In fact, it is so common that it is also called hospital standard vinyl flooring.
The next time when you heard this term, don’t be confused by thinking that it’s a different type of flooring. It simply means anti static vinyl flooring.
7.3 Vinyl Flooring Installation Method

(i) Glue Down Installation
This method is also commonly known as non-floating method. It involves application of adhesive to attach flooring to your subfloor.
Generally, there will be 2 types of adhesive used for vinyl flooring installation, which are pressure sensitive adhesive and hard set adhesive.
If you are installing vinyl flooring for temporary usage like mini-stalls or exhibition, it’s not a bad idea to use glue down vinyl flooring with resealable adhesive.
This allows the floor to be reinstalled for the next usage. Vinyl flooring with thickness less than 4mm generally installed using glue down method.
(ii) Floating Installation
Floating system also known as loose-lay installation. It includes the click together installation which derived from laminate flooring click-lock installation.
Unlike glue down installation, this method does not require any application of adhesive. When comparing both glue down and floating system, floating vinyl floor generally has better cushioned underfoot feel and the outcome is more elegant than glue down vinyl flooring.
That is also why floating system is very popular especially for luxury vinyl flooring.
Floating installation also allows underlay like sound insulation mat to be installed easily underneath vinyl flooring.
Vinyl flooring with thickness above 4mm are normally installed using floating system.