Vinyl Flooring Protective Coating? [Know Everything About Them]

After installing vinyl flooring, one cannot start using the floor right away. To make the floor usable, he/she has to apply a vinyl flooring protective coating. As the name implies, the coating works as a protection for the vinyl flooring.

Vinyl floors are comparatively softer than most other flooring solutions. That is why it is vulnerable to sudden hits, excessive weight, and scuffings. To save the floor from molds, stains, dents, and scratches, you should use a protective coating.

Apart from saving the floor from damages, vinyl flooring’s protective coating also makes it shiny and gorgeous-looking. I have been in the real estate business for the last 20 years. In this article, I will tell you, why use vinyl flooring protective coating? How to apply them properly? And will give away much more information on the topic.

6 Reasons To Use Vinyl Flooring Protective Coating:

You need to use protective coating for vinyl flooring for more than one reason. Below I have listed the most significant reasons for using protective coating on vinyl flooring:

1. Molds & Mildews:

Molds and mildews are the most dangerous enemy of vinyl flooring. If they get to grow beneath vinyl flooring, very soon bubbles and bucklings become visible on a vinyl flooring.

When you have molds under your floor, the overall environment of the house becomes unhealthy. Ultimately, you need to replace the vinyl flooring with a new one. But you can prevent molds and mildews with a protective coating.

Molds and mildews only can grow under vinyl flooring when water or moisture can get through the upper surface of the vinyl floor. If you protect the surface with protective gear, it works as sealing and does not let any moisture accumulate under the vinyl floor. 

As a result, you can use the vinyl flooring for a long time without fearing molds and mildews.

2. Scratches:

Vinyl flooring can easily get scratches. Movement of heavy furniture or suitcase, a rolling caster under a chair, sudden fall of utensils, spikes of a shoe-bottom – any single factor is enough to make your colorful vinyl flooring look like trash.

If you have coated the flooring with a protective coating, you should not worry about scratches on the vinyl floor that much. Because protective coats make the surface of the vinyl floor much stronger.

Protective coats create an extra layer of protection over the vinyl floor. That extra layer takes all the scratches on it and saves the flooring. Scratches on the protective cover are barely visible. If you apply the protective coating over the vinyl flooring at a regular interval, you can forget to worry about scratches on the floor.

3. Dents:

One of the main drawbacks of vinyl flooring is, it gets dents easier than any other flooring. High heels, heavy furniture, or a tiny piece of rock is enough to make a dent in the vinyl flooring.

You can consider yourself fortunate if you have applied protective coating over your vinyl flooring. You may never get to know about it. But in most cases, your vinyl floor will be saved from getting dents by the protective coating. 

Because they make the vinyl flooring system strong enough to fight back most of the reasons for denting.

4. Tains:

Protective coatings are also effective against getting stains on the vinyl flooring. At the same time, they prevent stains and help to clear the stain easily.

First of all, most stains cannot leave a mark on a protective layer, because of their chemical structure. Moreover, the extra layer created with the protective coating receives the stain itself instead of the real vinyl flooring. 

If the protective coating has stains on it, it is very easy to clean. If the stain is beyond cleaning, you can reapply the protective coating to make the vinyl flooring look new again.

5. Odors:

Generally, vinyl floors are good for family rooms, unless you have pets or children in the house. Unexpected urination on the floor can make a permanent odor in the room. This is a mood spoiler and a reason for embarrassment before guests.

If you have applied protective coating on the vinyl floor, rest assured there will be no such foul odor in the air. Pets and children of the house will thank you for applying protective coating on the floor.

6. Stunning Look:

Your vinyl floor shines after it gets a protective coating. You can tell the change with naked eyes. Vinyl floorings are famous for fabulous colors and stylish patterns. Their beauty gets magnified some folds when a protective coating is applied to them.

3 Easy Steps To Apply Vinyl Flooring Protective Coating:

Applying protective coating over the vinyl flooring is not difficult at all. But you need to be careful while accomplishing the process.

Step 1- Clean The Surface:

During the installation of the vinyl flooring, there can be a lot of dust, grease, adhesive, and other wastes on the floor. Make sure all of them are gone before applying the protective coating.

First of all, a  vacuum cleans the whole floor area. Then mop the floor very well. Make sure the remains of the adhesive or any type of grease are completely removed from the floor.

Step 2- Spread The Coating:

Using a wax spreader, spread the protective coating over the vinyl flooring. Make sure the coating is spread evenly all across the floor area.

While applying the coating, you have to be careful to not step on the just applied coating. To ensure that, start applying the coating from a corner of the floor area and gradually move towards an exit point. Slowly move back while spreading the protective coating with the wax spreader.

For the corners and the edges of the walls, use a quality brush or a mini-roller to apply the protective coating.

Step 3- Spread A Second Coating:

After the first coating is done, wait for an hour. Then apply the same protective coating for the second time on the same floor area.

This time start coating the floor from the opposite side of the starting point of the previous coating. This will ensure overall protection against scratch and dent for the vinyl flooring.

To make the protective coating strong enough, wait a day or two before walking or putting furniture on the vinyl floor.

Tips On Protective Coating For Vinyl Flooring:

We will now share some tips on the application of protective coating over vinyl flooring. I believe they are very helpful for anyone who has vinyl flooring in their house:

Pay Importance To Cleaning:

If the floor area is not cleaned enough, your protection coating will not be able to play a convincing role to protect the vinyl flooring. On the contrary, it may cause harm to the flooring.

If the seams of the vinyl floor have dirt or debris within them and you apply a protective coating over it, eventually the floor will be damaged. Because, under the layer of protection, the dirt will continue to break the chemical compounds of the vinyl flooring. 

Remove The Previous Coating:

To make the protective coating work at its best, you have to remove any previous sealing from the floor. Otherwise, the new coating will become ineffective. 

So, you have to make sure that all the previous sealings are off the floor. Or else, your efforts to protect the vinyl floor will go in vain.

Let The Floor Rest:

Right after you have applied protective coating over vinyl flooring the whole floor shines beautifully. It looks so beautiful that you will be tempted to walk on the floor right away.

But walking on the newly spread protective coating, you will ruin the protection. To avoid the mess, you must restrain any kind of activity on the floor for at least 24 hours. Be careful about the children of the house.

Look Out For Harmful Chemicals:

Nowadays, there is a lot of competition in the market among different types of protective coating for vinyl flooring. Manufacturers have become aggressive to have control over the market. This is enhancing the health risks of vinyl flooring further.

Some of the companies are making very effective protective coatings for vinyl flooring by using chemicals that are harmful to the human body. While protecting the floor, the coating becomes a threat to our health.

So, before buying a protective coating for vinyl flooring from the market, check all the chemicals that were used to make it. 

How To Protect Vinyl Flooring From Chair Legs?

Protecting your vinyl flooring from chair legs is crucial for maintaining its pristine appearance. The key strategy involves using chair glides or felt pads on the legs of your chairs. These accessories act as a protective buffer, preventing chair legs from directly contacting and scratching the vinyl surface. 

Regularly inspect and replace these glides or pads if they show signs of wear and tear to ensure continuous protection. Additionally, encourage a lifting, not dragging, policy when moving chairs to prevent unnecessary friction and potential damage. 

By adopting these measures, you can effectively safeguard your vinyl flooring and ensure its longevity while preserving its attractive look.

How To Protect Vinyl Flooring From Heavy Furniture?

Protecting vinyl flooring from heavy furniture involves several strategies to prevent damage and preserve the floor’s integrity. When dealing with substantial pieces of furniture, it’s crucial to use furniture pads or coasters under their legs to distribute the weight evenly and eliminate the risk of indentations or scratches. 

Furthermore, always remember to lift heavy items when repositioning them rather than dragging, as sliding can lead to visible marks or scuffs on the vinyl surface. For exceptionally weighty furniture, like pianos or large appliances, consider placing a sheet of plywood underneath to disperse the pressure. 

To maintain the floor’s appearance, periodically rearrange your furniture or adjust the placement of rugs and mats to evenly distribute wear and tear. These measures will help ensure your vinyl flooring remains in excellent condition beneath heavy items.

How To Protect Vinyl Flooring From Scratches?

To protect your vinyl flooring from scratches, it’s essential to take a proactive approach. Begin by placing furniture pads under the legs of your chairs, tables, and other furnishings to prevent them from scuffing or scratching the floor when they’re moved. Additionally, strategically position rugs and mats in high-traffic areas and near entrances to capture dirt and debris before it can scratch the vinyl surface. 

Be cautious with high heels and sharp objects, as they can easily damage the flooring. Keeping the floor clean with regular sweeping or gentle vacuuming will prevent dirt particles from acting as abrasives. If you have pets, make sure to trim their nails to reduce the risk of accidental scratches. 

Finally, check if your vinyl tile sealer flooring has a protective coating and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations to ensure its longevity and keep it looking pristine.

Commonly Asked Questions:

How Much Area Can Be Covered With Vinyl Protective Coating?

The vinyl flooring area to be covered with the protective coating depends on the quality of the coating. Generally, you can cover a 500 sq. ft. area of vinyl flooring with a gallon of protective coating.

That means, if you have to apply a protective coating to a floor that has an area of 500 sq. ft., you will need 2 gallons of protective coating. Since you need to spread the coating twice to have complete protection.

What Are The Options For Protective Coatings For Vinyl Flooring?

There are mainly three types of protective coatings for vinyl flooring available in the market. They are waxing, vinyl sealing, and urethane coating.

Each type of coating has its kind of advantages and disadvantages. Urethane coating protects the floor the most but it uses some harmful chemicals to do the job.

Should You Use Wax As A Protective Coating For Vinyl Flooring?

There are advantages and disadvantages of using wax as a protective coating for vinyl flooring. It should be your call to decide whether or not to use wax after evaluating all the factors.

Waxes are good for filling all the seams of vinyl flooring and making the floor area completely even. They are the most cost-effective protective coating on the market. They are easy to use too.

On the other hand, applying wax as a vinyl flooring protector requires a lot more hard work than other types of coatings. Sometimes, wax on the vinyl floor can cause odors. Over time, the wax coating tends to get yellowish.

Should You Use Water-Based Urethane Coatings For Vinyl Flooring?

Urethane coatings are the most modern type of protective coating for vinyl flooring. But they have some positive and negative aspects.

Urethane coatings are known to be the most durable protective coating. Generally, they last for about 5 years.  You need to apply them only once, whereas other coatings need to be spread twice in a single application. They are claimed to resist stains most effectively.

However, urethane coatings take around 8 hours to dry up, which is the highest among all the protective coatings of vinyl flooring. They are the most expensive coatings on the market. Once you have applied them, you cannot remove urethane coatings from vinyl flooring.

How Long Does Vinyl Floor Protective Coating Last?

The durability of the protective coating of vinyl floors depends on the nature of the coating and the functionality of the floor. It can vary from 2 months to 5 years.

The recent urethane-based vinyl floor protectors are claimed to protect the floor from 2 to 5 years. However, regular wax floor sealers last around 2 months on average.

Can You Put Polyurethane Over Vinyl Flooring?

Applying polyurethane over vinyl flooring is not a common or recommended practice. Vinyl flooring already has a wear layer or topcoat that’s designed to protect the surface and provide durability. Adding polyurethane over vinyl can lead to problems, such as an uneven or cloudy finish. 

Furthermore, it may void any warranty provided by the vinyl flooring manufacturer. If you want to enhance the appearance or durability of your vinyl flooring seam sealer,it’s generally better to follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines, which usually involve regular cleaning and proper maintenance. 

Adding polyurethane is usually unnecessary and can potentially harm the vinyl’s appearance and performance.

Can You Put Epoxy Over Vinyl Flooring?

Applying epoxy over vinyl flooring is possible, but it’s not a common or recommended practice. Epoxy is typically used on concrete, wood, or other substrates, not on vinyl. If your vinyl flooring is in good condition, it’s generally best to maintain it as is. 

However, if the vinyl is damaged or you want a different look, it’s possible to install new flooring over the vinyl and then apply epoxy to the new surface. Ensure proper surface preparation, including thorough cleaning and, if necessary, using a primer designed for vinyl surfaces. 

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the epoxy product and consider consulting a flooring professional for guidance.

Can you Seal Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Sealing vinyl plank flooring is generally not recommended. Vinyl plank flooring is designed to be low-maintenance and doesn’t require sealing. It comes with a factory-applied topcoat that protects it from wear and tear.Adding an additional sealant can lead to problems such as a cloudy or uneven finish and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. 

If you’re looking to enhance the durability of your vinyl plank flooring sealer,it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines, which typically involve regular cleaning and ensuring that the flooring is properly installed and maintained. 

Adding a sealant is not only unnecessary but could potentially harm the flooring’s appearance and performance.

Conclusion:

Vinyl flooring is a wonderful solution for a residence or commercial space only if they are protected with a proper coating. The protective coating acts as an extra life to the vinyl flooring.

That’s why you must choose your protective coating carefully and regularly check whether they are broken or not.