Just brainstorming on what might be an affordable yet durable floor covering:

Sheet vinyl is notoriously not durable, but it is less expensive. And much of it today really looks nice on a budget. They have a thin, clear, protective coating on the surface. Just wondering what would happen if a coat of polyurethane was applied on top of it when installed. Then it would have a thick, clear protective coating.

I think I may experiment with it next time I have a chance.

Anybody ever tried it? What do y'all think?

Sheet vinyl is fairly reasonable but the labor to install it isn't cheap.

I don't think I've ever had a sheet vinyl floor that a tenant didn't put great long cuts into it. Beats me how they do that. It looks like they use a knife and a straight edge.

I suspect that polyurethane will either melt sheet vinyl or it won't stick. I suggest that you try some test pieces before you actually do it to installed flooring.

Yeah, it's tricky to install - best done by pros. But still cheaper than other floors.I should have some pieces left over from my daughter's reno. And I'm sure I have a partial can of leftover poly. I'm going to experiment - who knows, I may be on to something!

I'm a fan of ( thick ) sheet vinyl. ( DIMYSELF )

Unless you rough the surface, poly will not stick. Also there is too much give to a vinyl floor as you walk on it that the poly will probably crack and peel. But let us know how the experiment goes. Don't forget, oil based poly will yellow, water based remains clear. It might be better to consider poly after it is worn down, but there are lots of polish products to bring back a shine.

The newer softer thicker vinyl floors are loose lay or perimeter glue in most cases, which is easier to install. They also bend easily without cracking so you can cut and install it easier. I use it in areas with very little cutting needed - room gut - that way there isn't a lot of cut around or bathrooms or small kitchens.

Floors should never be expected to be perfect. They get scratched (even fine scratches from just walking on it), dented and worn. There are tools and products to make small repairs to vinyl.

In my own bath, after the sheet vinyl was worn,(not the thick soft vinyl) I kept that as a more water resistant base and used some heavy, fancier stick tiles that look like real tile, you can even grout around some of them. Those are pretty easy to install since you are only cutting a small area to fit and you can replace a few if they get damaged. They are nothing like the cheap stick tiles of old.

Linda: That seems like the main drawback - if the floor flexes but poly does not. Thinking it might be best on the thin cheap stuff, not so cushy.