When you think of high-quality and beautiful flooring, what comes to mind? Most people would think of hardwoods, porcelain tile, or marble. Maybe a few would think of vinyl.
Vinyl isn’t typically at the top of most people’s list of most luxurious flooring. However, some flooring manufacturers are looking to change that with products like Congoleum vinyl plank flooring.
Congoleum is a flooring company that has been providing quality flooring products to residential and commercial customers since 1886. This company holds several patents for its unique flooring products.
They use state-of-the art equipment to engineer its flooring. They are also considered a leader in flooring design.
All of this information sounds great. But let’s get to what’s really important. Is this flooring as good as the manufacturer claims? Is it worth spending your hard-earned cash to purchase this over other brands?
We’ve went straight to the source – the consumer. We’ve also used other resources to determine the real deal behind Congoleum vinyl plank flooring.
We’ll look at factors including pricing, warranties, and care and maintenance. Our goal is to help you determine if this flooring is the right choice for your home or business.
So, put your wallet away. Read on to determine if Congoleum flooring products are the best investment for your next project.
Is Congoleum Vinyl Flooring Durable & Does It Come With A Warranty?
Vinyl plank flooring, with proper care, can last for 20 years or even longer. Does Congoleum’s vinyl plank flooring stand the test of time? We’ve looked at what consumers have said to determine if this flooring holds up under years of wear and tear.
Fortunately, most consumers that have Congoleum vinyl planks are very happy with the durability of this flooring. One of the biggest benefits is that Congoleum’s vinyl planks that mimic the look of real hardwood flooring don’t come with all of the hassles of solid hardwood. This means you don’t have to worry about excessive scratches or water damage.
Congoleum flooring is a great option. That’s because it can be installed in any room, as long as the flooring temperature never exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Unlike other types of flooring, such as cork, bamboo, or solid hardwoods, you can install Congoleum vinyl planks in rooms with high moisture and humidity, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms, and even in below-grade rooms like basements.
There have been some complaints that the vinyl flooring was peeling at the ends. That sometimes happened in rooms where the temperature of the floor exceeded 85 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, you should use caution when installing floors over radiant heat that exceeds this temperature.
There are some additional drawbacks to this type of flooring. Dropping a sharp object, for example, or walking on the floor in high heels or cleats can result in punctures.
Flooring may also become dented under the heavy weight of furniture and appliances. Your floors can also become faded over time when exposed to UV light.
Fortunately, though, there are a few ways to prevent this type of damage, which we’ll cover a little later. It’s also important to note that these issues aren’t exclusive to Congoleum but also affect other brands of vinyl plank, as well.
Congoleum is a manufacturer that stands behind the quality of its products. That is why the company offers warranties on all of its flooring products. Residential warranties range from 10 years to a lifetime and cover wear, manufacturer’s defects, fading, staining, denting, and damage caused by water exposure. For commercial applications, a 5-year warranty is offered.
Is This Flooring Affordable When Compared To Similar Brands?
Vinyl plank flooring costs an average of $2 to $7 per square foot. While this is a large range, there are many factors that affect pricing, including the brand, style, and the retailer you purchase from. When compared to other brands, Congoleum is surprisingly affordable.
While pricing varies based on where you purchase your flooring and the style you choose, most Congoleum vinyl plank flooring is priced at around $3 to $4.50 per square foot. As you can see, this certainly falls on the lower end of the average price range of comparable vinyl plank flooring.
Of course, this does not take into consideration additional costs required to install your flooring, including tools, supplies, or hiring a professional installer. However, when compared to other bare flooring options, such as bamboo or hardwoods, you can easily see that Congoleum vinyl plank flooring is a very cost-effective option for consumers.
Are There Many Styles & Colors Available?
No matter what style or color you’re looking for in your new flooring, you’re likely to find it with Congoleum’s many options. You’ll have your choice of several different collections, including Timeless by Congoleum and DuraCeramic.
If you want the beauty of hardwood without the loud noise, consider the Triversa collection. If you love the look of exotic hardwoods but hate the cot, consider the Impact line. If you like the look of marble, ceramic tile, or other unique flooring options, consider the DuraCeramic Dimensions line of products.
You can choose from many different styles, from sleek and modern faux marble to planks that resemble reclaimed wood. You’ll also have a wide selection of colors, from lighter shades like white and gray to darker shades like ebony and brown.
How Do I Clean & Maintain My Congoleum Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Cleaning and maintaining your Congoleum vinyl plank floor is easy. The manufacturer has even created a flooring care guide so you know exactly how to keep your floors looking their best. Proper care and maintenance is required to not only extend the life of your flooring but to also keep your warranties intact.
Congoleum even has its own vinyl plank cleaning products to make the process simpler. Its Bright n Easy cleaners are great for removing caked-on dirt and sticky spills without leaving behind a dulling residue. You also won’t even have to rinse afterwards, unlike many other flooring products.
For most days, though, using a broom or hard floor vacuum is sufficient for keeping your floors clean. If you decide to use a vacuum, purchase one that doesn’t have a beater bar and is designed for bare floor use to prevent damage.
If your floors look dull over time, Congoleum also sells floor polishes designed for use on its products. Avoid using other types of polishes and waxes, and never use a steam cleaner, which can cause significant damage that won’t be covered under warranty.
Congoleum also has a stain removal guide on its official website, so you can remove many stains using common household items such as a mop, lemon juice, alcohol, and bleach. However, most of the time, sweeping and using Clean n Bright products are sufficient for keeping your floor looking great.
To maintain your floors, make sure to never drag heavy furniture, which can cause gouges in the vinyl. You must also avoid wearing high heels or spiked shoes that can rip your flooring.
You can also use furniture coasters underneath heavy items to prevent denting, or rotate your furniture regularly to prevent denting. Finally, make sure to limit exposure to UV lighting by using area rugs or window treatments in spots with excessive light.
Do I Need To Hire A Professional Installer?
Another benefit of Congoleum flooring is that you don’t have to hire a professional to install your new floors for you. If you have the time, patience, and the right tools, you can install your own flooring, potentially saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars in installation costs. In fact, Congoleum makes it easier than many other flooring companies.
That’s because Congoleum has made available its technical installation guides, as well as videos and other resources. Even if you’ve never installed flooring before, these resources – as well as the simplicity of installing vinyl plank flooring – most consumers can easily tackle this project.
One thing to note, however, is that you will need some basic tools to get the job done, including adhesives for glue-down planks. You’ll also need to set aside time to do the job, which could range from a couple of hours for a small room to several days for a larger project.
Even though Congoleum makes it easy to install your flooring, make sure that you fully understand the process and are ready to go through each step as directed. Failure to properly install your flooring could result in damage that is not covered under your flooring warranty.
FAQ
Congoleum is a vinyl plank flooring manufacturer that makes linoleum floors. Linoleum is an old term used to describe luxury vinyl plank flooring or resilient vinyl flooring. Linoleum is a combination of linseed oil, mineral fillers, sawdust, and ground cork dust making it an all-natural product.
How expensive is Congoleum?
You can expect to pay between $2 and $7 per square foot of Congoleum which is considered fairly affordable for a high end LVP. You can get cheaper forms of LVP, but if you want durable, sturdy flooring you want to choose a high-end brand such as Congoleum.
While the resilient vinyl planks from this brand may be pricey for some homeowners, it’s worth the investment. This is because of the LVP’s durability and the variety of styles and thicknesses available.
Is Congoleum waterproof?
Yes, Congoleum vinyl flooring is waterproof, especially the brand’s Triversa flooring which features a SmartLock™ Clic installation. This type of installation prevents water from seeping under the floors. The resilient flooring can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or any area in the home with high levels of humidity. The Congoleum Triversa flooring is made with a phthalate-free stone polymer composite that adds to the durability of the boards.
What is Congoleum flooring?
Congoleum flooring is known as resilient vinyl flooring and features a combination of polymer materials. The floors are manufactured using synthetic and natural materials that when combined create durable flooring at an affordable price. Furthermore, Congoleum is the only manufacturer in the US that makes true resilient vinyl flooring. The company only focuses on making this type of flooring, which is considered the best type of vinyl flooring on the market.
Who makes Congoleum flooring?
Congoleum is a US manufacturer that makes its own flooring. The company has been in the industry since 1886 and makes all its flooring in the USA. These vinyl sheet products include the following:
– AirStep Plus
– AirStep Evolution
– AirStep Advantage
– AirStep Basix
– Prelude
– ArmorCore
What’s more, the flooring from Congoleum includes Ovations, Alternatives, and DuraCeramic that provide realistic ceramic tiled finishes and designs.
Final Verdict
Instead of spending big bucks on hardwoods, marble, or tile flooring, consider the affordable alternative – Congoleum vinyl plank flooring. This flooring is available in many styles and colors. It’s designed to mimic the beauty of other, more expensive types of flooring.
Congoleum has a very budget-friendly price, and it’s extremely durable. There are some precautions to take to avoid certain types of damage, such as rips.
However, when compared to other types of bare flooring, these are minimal. Cleaning and maintenance is a breeze, so it’s a great choice for the low-maintenance consumer.
In addition to the affordable price of the flooring, you can save even more by installing the flooring yourself. Congoleum provides plenty of resources to guide you along the way.
With proper care and maintenance, your floors can easily last for several decades. Though there have been a few consumer complaints, overall Congoleum offers a high-quality vinyl plank flooring product at an extremely competitive price.
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