ᐅ Does vinyl deform under intense sunlight?

Hello everyone!

I got a second quote today regarding vinyl planks. Since my house will have a strong south-facing orientation and floor-to-ceiling windows, vinyl was discouraged because it is “not suitable” for this application.

Temperatures of “up to 70°C” (158°F) (nice reference to the cooling thread!) are expected there. The MANUFACTURER does not provide a warranty for this type of location. The first supplier didn’t mention anything about this.
Is that because they didn’t know about the windows, they are careless, or is the whole thing simply not true?

Who here has experience with vinyl warping in these conditions?

Vinyl is also commonly used in cars, where it is exposed to similar temperatures. However, since it is a soft and flexible plastic, not much happens except that the plasticizers evaporate over time, causing the material to become brittle eventually.

It is possible that the other manufacturer laminated the vinyl onto another material, which could lead to delamination and similar issues. If it is just the planks, they can withstand sun exposure, and yes, it does get quite warm. The sun’s intensity is definitely strong.

Vinyl or luxury vinyl flooring expands when exposed to heat, so expansion joints should be considered. Direct strong sunlight (floor-to-ceiling windows) can also cause discoloration or fading.
Manufacturers always provide the relevant guidelines in their installation instructions.

Okay, so vinyl is—well, what exactly? 😀
It’s not that clear-cut. To give a better idea: I was looking at options around 50 euros. At that price point, if it reacts to sunlight, it probably isn’t due to low-quality material.

Is it known whether EVERY type of vinyl inherently has issues with heating up from sunlight?
Does anyone know someone who has experienced permanent damage?

I’m asking because I really like the appearance of vinyl and would prefer not to switch to the more expensive hardwood or laminate flooring, especially since those don’t come in my preferred color.

So if you are already in the €50 range, good parquet flooring is also available at a lower price.

We installed vinyl flooring only on the upper floor. Two rooms have balcony doors facing south. Because of the sun, the shading is lowered to keep the temperatures in the rooms comfortable. That’s why we don’t have any issues with it.

We realized how strong the sun can be during the renovation. Over the years, the laminate floor had turned green (!):