Instead of requiring a daily vacuum, vinyl or rubber floors often need only a sweep or a damp mopping. Franklin sees retail markets perennially opting for resilient flooring, but he's seeing increased specification in health care and educational settings, as well. A resilient surface allows you to clean up a stain or spill quickly before it can set. Franklin says that another reason for increased specification of resilient flooring is the indoor air quality issue that has permeated almost every facility market segment. The concern over dust and particles in a building is widespread.
Style is a factor in the selection of a floor surface, but so is cleanability and cost.
In most cases, vinyl is the chosen for its overall value, and that includes installation costs. Hardaway adds that it's imperative to consider underlayment before specifying and installing any new floor surface. For instance, if the underlayment has high levels of moisture, problems may crop up not only with the installation process but with mildew, as well. There are installation and application guidelines that must be followed for the floor to perform the way it should. After a floor has been specified and installed, maintenance becomes the overriding factor in ensuring long-term performance and aesthetics.