Joan - Author
In this guide to the vinyl flooring on stairs pros and cons guide, you’ll see its comparison to luxury vinyl flooring, and recommendation for the safest stair floor material.
Of course, one of the primary considerations when we talk about flooring options for stairs, is safety. You want the floor of your stairs to be both beautiful and safe to walk on, so you need a surface that is slip-proof and safe for all ages. With that in mind, let’s take a look at vinyl flooring on stairs, the pros and the cons.
Is Vinyl Flooring Good For Stairs?
One reason why vinyl flooring is so popular is because of its ability to mimic the look of more expensive flooring options, such as wood and stone.
Vinyl flooring comes in various colors and textures, and some are even attractively patterned. Given the variety of looks that vinyl can mimic, you are sure to find one that will match your vision and style.
Vinyl flooring is also durable, being both scratch and stain-resistant. As stairways are high-traffic areas, vinyl flooring is suitable for stairs as it will resist getting scuffed or scratched from people’s shoes.
Pros Of Vinyl Flooring On Stairs
1. Vinyl flooring is affordable
Vinyl flooring should cost about $1-10 per square foot, and this is quite a bargain compared to hardwood or ceramic flooring. Hardwood flooring material will cost about $10-30 per square foot, while a ceramic floor will cost up to $35 per square foot.
2. Vinyl flooring on stairs is easy to install
You don’t need to hire a contractor to install vinyl flooring; it’s a pretty easy DIY project.
Most vinyl flooring material comes in “peel and stick” form. You buy sheets of vinyl material, cut or trim them into the size you need, peel off the backing and stick it firmly on the floor—no need for nails or any special tools.
3. Vinyl flooring comes in many attractive designs
Vinyl flooring is available in various colors, textures, and patterns. You are sure to find vinyl flooring that will match your particular style and taste.
4. Vinyl flooring on stairs is durable
Vinyl flooring is durable and can last you up to 10 to 20 years. Many vinyl flooring manufacturers are so confident in the durability of their products that they offer warranties of up to 15 years. They are scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the high volume of foot traffic scuffing up your stairs.
5. Vinyl flooring is easy to clean
To maintain the look of your vinyl flooring, you just need to sweep the surface regularly and maybe mop it weekly. Vinyl is waterproof, so spills are easily cleaned up.
6. Vinyl flooring on stairs is comfortable to walk on.
Vinyl flooring feels soft to touch, making it a comfortable surface to walk on – even with bare feet. Unlike some materials, like tile, vinyl isn’t really affected by the surrounding temperature, so it doesn’t get too cold or hot.
Cons Of Vinyl Flooring On Stairs
1. You need to have a completely smooth and clean surface to install the vinyl flooring material
Before installing vinyl flooring, you need to ensure that the surface of your stairs is entirely smooth and clean. Imperfections such as holes and bumps will show through the vinyl as an uneven or bubbly surface.
2. Vinyl flooring on stairs can be hard to remove
The back of vinyl flooring material has strong adhesives on it; the better to make sure the vinyl really sticks to the surfaces it’s installed on. This means, however, that you need to be careful when installing it, as removing vinyl is a time-consuming process, and there’s no way to do it without damaging the material.
3. Vinyl flooring on stairs can be damaged by the sun
Vinyl is susceptible to UV damage. This means that if it’s exposed to the sun, it can fade and become discolored. If your stairs get a lot of sun exposure, spend a bit more to make sure that your vinal flooring material has a layer of UV-resistant coating.
4. Vinyl flooring material can be dented
While vinyl is scratch-resistant, it’s not entirely damage-proof. If something sharp or heavy hits a vinyl surface, it can leave a permanent dent on the surface.
Is Vinyl Plank Slippery On Stairs?
Some high-quality vinyl plank flooring material can have an anti-slip coating which increases the traction surface of the floor. This is something you should look for when choosing vinyl flooring for stairs. You can also buy anti-slip spray or anti-slip mats and rugs to decrease the risk of slipping.
Vinyl Flooring Vs. Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Sheet or plank vinyl flooring is either square of material or wide strips or planks of material. The vinyl is bonded onto a thin backing layer, usually felt or fiberglass. There is also an adhesive material that will attach to surfaces, so all you have to do is peel and stick the material onto your floors.
On the other hand, Luxury vinyl is a semi-rigid material that is sold as either planks or tiles. They use several layers of vinyl making it thicker and more robust than standard vinyl flooring. They have click-lock edge joints, so you lay several pieces close together to form your vinyl floor.
Luxury vinyl flooring is more durable than standard vinyl flooring, lasting as much as 25 years. However, it is also a little more expensive, costing around $2-7 per square foot.
What Is The Safest Covering For Stairs?
A good carpet can also help prevent slipping and add an extra layer of interest to your stairway. See the popular types of carpet here.
A carpet runner is a great way to show off a beautiful vinyl floor. It will add color and increase traction without totally hiding the vinyl flooring on your staircase. It’s also cheaper to install and maintain than full carpeting and allows you to have the best of both worlds.
Visit our indoor stair railing design ideas for more related content.
