Trent and our Trusted team at Regina’s Flooring Superstores have established a strong and loyal customer base through our commitment to excellent customer service. By being part of the powerful buying group that is the Flooring  Superstores chain, we are also able to provide quality Regina flooring at unbeatable prices. In our latest article, we discuss the pros and cons of the most popular types of floor coverings so that you will be able to make an informed decision.

Your Current RV Floor Covering

No matter what type of material has been used to cover your coach’s floors, within five to ten years, you will have to replace it. The timing will depend on quality, usage, and care. This is because RV traveling is a dirty business. Your floors are subjected to all sorts of soil types, sand, and mud as well as water, spills, and pet filth. No matter the type, all of these floors are difficult to maintain, so when you choose your favorite, make sure you understand that there will not be one perfect solution.

It will be up to you to decide on the option that you think will work best in your situation.

A Manufacturer’s View of RV Flooring Materials

The great majority of recreational vehicles come with a combination of soft and hard flooring. In most coaches, the hard flooring is located in the kitchen and bath areas. In some it is installed in part or all of the main living area as well. The remainder, if any, is usually carpeted.

It is important to understand that these choices are made for several reasons. Certain floor coverings may be easier to install, cost less, or look better. However, very little thought is generally given to durability or ease of consumer use because it is not the manufacturer that must deal with these issues. Their first goal is always to save money and provide a visually aesthetic pleasing product. Once you understand this, you will view your recreational vehicle’s floors in a whole new light!

Which Flooring Covering Is Best for RVs?

1. “Commercial Plush Carpet.”

This type of carpet:

• is a step above indoor/outdoor carpet,
• will not unravel,
• is very heavy,
• is closely looped,
• is very durable,
• comes in many beautiful colors,
• muffles road noise,
• is relatively easy to clean and maintain,
• protects against engine heat, and
• is very comfortable to walk on because it sits on an 8 pound foam base.

The caveats are that it is very tricky to install and will show seams and staples in certain areas.

2. Vinyl Floors i

The three types of vinyl flooring that manufacturers put on recreational vehicle floors are sheet, plank, and tile squares. All have both good and bad points. For instance, if properly installed, they

• repel water,
• are easy to clean and maintain,
• do not retain odors,
• are less costly than other types of floor coverings, and
• are very durable.

On the other hand, they

• can only be installed over a smooth, lightweight subfloor covering,
• are difficult to install and/or remove,
• give RVs a more hollow sound,
• can only be properly installed in areas that are totally flat, and
• installing them in recreational vehicles may void their warranties.

Vinyl Planks Have Additional Problems

Recently, many RV owners have warmed to the idea of replacing their carpets with vinyl planks because they are beautiful and look like real wood, but few realize the problems they will be facing if they try to do so.

1. Planks, especially those that float, expand and contract when the weather warms or cools. Thus, they need to be placed loosely in the RV for two or three days to adapt to its internal climate prior to installation. Since coaches are not well insulated, it is almost impossible to do this successfully. This issue can lead to buckling or separation due to road vibrations and fast climate changes.
2. Some people have reported problems with something called “off-gassing.” This occurs when the product has not been certified to US standards and noxious chemicals get trapped inside of the planks. Once they are open to the air, the internal gasses are released. Sometimes they dissipate after several days or months, but sometimes they remain permanently.
3. Installing this product in the front cabin of most motorhomes, especially the gas engine models, is impossible due to the fact that it is not flexible. Thus, many people simply leave the old flooring in place in that area, and install the new floor behind the captains chairs. This looks horrible and downgrades the value of the coach.

  Laminate Flooring – NOPE

Laminate planks are another type of flooring that should never be used for RVs due to the fact that it cannot tolerate water and has all of the same problems as vinyl. These floors are beautiful in homes, but will not hold up well in motorhomes and campers.

Wood Floors in an RV?

Some manufacturers place wood in their bathrooms and kitchens, and while this type of flooring looks nice, it requires a great deal of care and is heavy. It is also a product that does not hold up against water. Those who want to place it on their RV floors should think carefully before doing so, because this material does not offer the type of durability that recreational vehicles require.

What About Ceramic Tile?

Many of the higher-end coach manufacturers install ceramic or other similar types of flooring in their bathrooms and galleys but save carpet for their living and sleeping areas. These products make beautiful floors, but they are heavy, inflexible, crack easily, and must have the grout cleaned and renewed regularly. They are very easy to clean but can be a safety hazard if they get wet. They clearly are a luxury item, but certainly are not practical.

Carpet

Most RV manufacturers place carpet in all areas except the kitchen and bathrooms of because it is attractive, less costly, and helps to muffle road and engine noise. In many cases, they use light colors because these make coaches look bigger and use plush materials because they give people the feel of luxury.

However, carpet can be a nightmare for RV owners because it is almost impossible to keep clean, mildews, needs constant upkeep, and holds odors. Because of issues such as these, owners spend a great deal of time and money trying to protect and clean their carpets, but it is a thankless job. Eventually, the underlying padding crumbles, bare spots appear, and stains become impossible to remove.

These all are reasons why people want to replace their RV carpets with a type of floor covering that is easier to clean and maintain….if you wnat some more help and options – come and see our team at Flooring Superstores Regina today!

Trent and the team at Regina’s Flooring Superstores have established a strong and loyal customer base through their commitment to excellent customer service. By being part of the powerful buying group that is the Flooring Superstores chain, they are also able to provide quality Regina floor coverings at unbeatable prices.

Products we offer.

• Carpet
• Hardwood
• Laminate
• Luxury Vinyl Tile / Plank
• Tile
• Commercial
• Lino