History of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring has come a long way since it was first created and has become a top choice for homes in North America.

Take one look at the selection of vinyl and you’ll instantly see how luxurious and stylish this type of flooring has become. But there’s more to vinyl than meets the eye. The material remains one of the most resilient, versatile and affordable options on the market.

To know everything you need to know about vinyl flooring, you must first understand where it started and how it’s evolved.

The History of Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl dates back to the 19th century when the material was discovered by a French physician. Since discovery, years of experimenting passed. It wasn’t until 1930 that vinyl made its debut in an exhibition in Chicago – but not as flooring.

Soon after, the first two World Wars were in full swing. Raw materials were hard to come by, so researchers experimented some more with vinyl. They used it for industrial experiments and projects, including as an alternative to rubber. It was then that vinyl’s flexibility, durability, and design possibilities were discovered.

Once World War II came to an end, vinyl was discovered as a potential flooring option. In 1947, a Swedish company created and debuted “Tarkett” vinyl flooring.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, companies in North America and Europe began producing vinyl flooring. In 1957, one major discovery was made about this new material – it was able to be recycled. Instead of filling landfills, people were reusing the material for industrial and household objects. In 1968, the Winter Olympic skating rink in Grenoble France was covered in vinyl for the prize ceremony. The flooring was gaining popularity.

Soon, vinyl products popped up everywhere. Flooring, cars, packaging, and even clothing used vinyl materials. In 1950, the production was 220,000 tons each year. By 1970, the production levels soared to 6 million tons annually.

History of Vinyl (4)

Today’s Vinyl Flooring

The flooring has continued to evolve over the years with technology and appearance. Now, vinyl is available in some of the most in-demand designs, including wood, tile, and stone looks. The market has recently introduced rigid core engineered vinyls, including WPC, SPC and Hybrid floors that are more durable than ever before.

You can find vinyls with a glue down, loose lay or click lock installation system, making these planks DIY friendly. Homeowners can easy install this type of flooring without the help of a contractor.

Vinyl floors are 100% waterproof and incredibly easy to clean and maintain. They can be installed in wet areas of your home and are a great addition to commercial spaces. Vinyl is convenient, affordable, and built to last for the long haul.

Choosing Your Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl might not have been on the top of your flooring list to start, but it may be a viable option for your household needs. Now that you know how this flooring has evolved, we’re confident you’ll want to take a look and see why vinyl is skyrocketing in popularity.

Browse through the different types of vinyl flooring, learn about the benefits of vinyl, and get to know more about what goes into the installation process. Everything you need to know about vinyl flooring is here for you in this help guide.