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© 2000-2022 Home Depot. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use.
Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed
For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts)
- Privacy & Security Statement
- Cookie Usage
- My Preference Center
- California Privacy Rights & Report
- Do Not Sell My Personal Information
- California Supply Chain Act
- Site Map
- Store Directory
- Mobile Site
- Responsible Disclosure
Vinyl planks are popular tiles for modern homes. Because of their affordability, many families patronize them over other tile options such as linoleum and hardwood.
However, many may still wonder, can you put rugs on vinyl plank flooring?
In this article, we will discuss vinyl plank flooring, different rugs available in the market, the pros and cons of using these rugs on vinyl planks, the rugs you should avoid, and how to choose the best rug for your vinyl plank tile.
Table of Contents
- Vinyl Plank Flooring Overview
- Vinyl-Friendly Rugs
- Pros and Cons of Using Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring
- What Should Be Avoided on Vinyl Plank Flooring
- How to Choose a Rug for Your Vinyl Planks
- Final Thoughts
Vinyl Plank Flooring Overview
Also known as vinyl planks, this flooring type resembles hardwood floors that come in different colors and patterns. Generally, a basic vinyl plank flooring is made from the following materials:
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) added to white pigments
- Calcium carbonate
- Urethane-based wear layer
- Felt paper and vinyl foam
- Stabilizers, plasticizers, and fungicides
Because this flooring type is becoming more popular nowadays, manufacturers incorporate UV or durability layers for better protection of the tile. Additionally, for textured vinyl planks, inhibitors are applied.
Benefits of Vinyl Planks
Aside from being budget-friendly, many people prefer vinyl plank flooring over hardwood and tiles because of their versatility. Other benefits of vinyl planks include the following:
- Warm and soft on the feet
- Better sound absorber
- Waterproof and easy to clean
- Damage-resistant
- Low-maintenance
If you want to consider this flooring type, understand that they are prone to scratches, dents, and tears. The surface of vinyl plank flooring can be easily damaged by sharp objects and other furniture.
Thus, the use of rugs might be needed. However, not all rugs are vinyl-friendly. In the next sections, we will discuss some of the rugs available in the market and find out if they can be used as paddings for your vinyl flooring.
Vinyl-Friendly Rugs
If you still wonder, can you put rugs on vinyl plank flooring? The answer would be yes but not all rugs can be used. If you want to protect your vinyl flooring, some of the rugs you can consider will be discussed in this section.
a.) Wool area rugs
These rugs contain soft fibers that are safe for your flooring even without using a rug pad. According to a study from Canada, vinyl floors can increase the risk of tripping and falling. Fortunately, the use of wool area rugs can reduce this risk.
b.) Cotton-backed rugs
In addition to wool area rugs, cotton-backed rugs are also vinyl-friendly rugs. According to a study from the USA, even with friction, these rugs cause no damage to your vinyl flooring because these rugs are made from synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and olefin.
c.) Handwoven rugs
These rugs are made from cotton, seagrass, sisal, jute, bamboo, or hemp. These are natural fibers that do not cause discoloration to your vinyl planks.
d.) Colorfast rugs
One great thing about these rugs is that they can retain their color for years. Many rugs in the market tend to transfer their colors and dyes to vinyl planks when exposed to sunlight or other chemicals, thus, producing stains and discoloration.
e.) Jute rugs
These rugs are generally soft to the touch. Many environmentalists love them because they are biodegradable.
However, when placed on top of a vinyl plank, they are scratchy and slippery. To avoid these, it is advised to use rug pads for jute rugs.
If you are to choose a rug pad, a foam rug pad or jute rug pad is highly recommended. Of these two, the former is preferred as it is lightweight and provides more cushioning.
Pros and Cons of Using Rugs on Vinyl Plank Flooring
Some people question the safety of rugs on vinyl plank flooring, and in this section, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of putting one.
Vinyl-Safe Rug Benefits
Placing rugs on vinyl planks does not only improve the interior of your home. They also offer some advantages such as the following:
a.) Prevents damages on vinyl planks
Whenever you move your furniture, walk around your home, or accidentally drop things, you tend to scratch your flooring. Sometimes, even the so-called scratch-resistant vinyl planks cannot avoid these damages.
Fortunately, based on personal experience, placing rugs on top of these surfaces can help you avoid these scribbles.
b.) Inexpensive home decoration
Rugs are inexpensive materials that you can consider to increase the aesthetic of your home. There are many quality rugs that you can buy but be mindful as not all of these are safe for your vinyl planks.
c.) Extra cushioning
Some vinyl planks already contain foam layers for cushioning while others do not. If you want to add extra cushioning to enhance the comfort of your flooring, area rugs are great options.
d.) Reduces noise
According to a study from Norway, the main reason why people use rugs on their flooring is that these home products can effectively reduce noise. So, if you have an open area room and you want to block echoing in your space, considering vinyl-safe rugs is a great move.
Disadvantages of Rugs on Vinyl Planks
Of course, the use of rugs also comes with some disadvantages. Aside from damages (only if the rug you buy is not vinyl-friendly), the main drawback is the increase in the risk of tripping or slipping.
According to a study from Georgia, it was reported that more falls occurred in rooms with loose and unsecured rugs, and those who are most at risk for this environmental hazard that can cause hip fractures are individuals above 65 years old.
If you wish to use rugs, always consider those that come with pads, especially when you have an elderly living with you. Other disadvantages of rugs include the following:
- Mold growth
- Retain odors and bacteria
- Hard to maintain
- Collect allergens
According to a study from the United Kingdom, rugs can alter lung function due to indoor allergens. In this study, it was also reported that unmaintained rugs can increase the risk of asthma, especially in children.
What Should Be Avoided on Vinyl Plank Flooring
Knowing the vinyl-friendly rugs and their benefits and disadvantages, it is also essential to learn the rugs and other products that should be avoided on vinyl plank flooring. In this section, we will discuss some of these.
a.) Rugs with synthetic rubber backing
These rugs that contain chenille fabric should not be placed on top of your vinyl planks. Chenille is a type of yarn that can leave stains and residue once it is exposed to chemicals.
Additionally, rug pads made of chenille are also not recommended.
b.) Steam and abrasive cleaners
When you clean your vinyl planks, you should avoid using a steam cleaner. Too much heat can cause irreversible damage to your flooring.
Also, using an abrasive cleaner should be avoided as it can easily scratch your vinyl plank flooring, even if the manufacturer says that the product is scratch-resistant.
c.) Bleaches
Bleaches are common household chemicals and they are typically used to clean kitchen tiles and remove stains from your clothes. However, bleaches should be avoided on vinyl planks as they can cause discoloration.
d) Ammonia-based cleaners
Aside from causing hazardous airborne ammonia exposures, ammonia-based cleaners can cause cracks in your vinyl planks.
How to Choose a Rug for Your Vinyl Planks
So, if you wish to get a rug for your vinyl planks, how will you choose one? To get an idea of how to choose a rug for your vinyl flooring, take a look at the tips below:
- Always choose those that offer cotton, non-slip backing.
- Natural fiber rugs are highly recommended. However, they come with no backing so you have to get a rug pad that is safe for your vinyl floor.
- You can consider rugs with memory foam backing.
You can always consider the price. However, do not limit your options just because of the cost of the rug.
It is always advised to go for high-quality ones as they can help you save much of your money than getting low-quality ones that can ruin not just your vinyl flooring but may cause slipping as well.
Final Thoughts
Indeed, vinyl plank flooring offers an aesthetic design that can suit your home and preference. They also come with many benefits but understand that they can get scratched easily.
Thus, the use of rugs may be considered but only those that are vinyl-friendly. Some of these are wool area, cotton-backed, handwoven, colorfast, and jute rugs.
When you buy rugs for your vinyl flooring, you have to consider many factors. Although the main goal is to protect your vinyl planks, you should also keep in mind the safety of these rugs for your health.