Which Vinyl Flooring Is Best For Your Home?

When it comes to flooring in your property, there are so many options to choose from. Do you go for soft and comfy carpet, hardwood floors for modern charm, or opt for a contemporary and easy maintenance choice like vinyl flooring?
Many people are rediscovering the potential of vinyl flooring for many areas of the home, especially kitchen and bathroom floors which might experience spillages that need to be easily cleaned up. It has had a poor reputation of thing and cheap material that comes on a roll in a variety of tasteless pattens, but that is a thing of the past now, and vinyl flooring has come on leaps and bounds since it was first popularised. 

Three Styles Of Vinyl Flooring

Depending on what you’re looking for and for which room, you have multiple options when it comes to vinyl flooring, with three main types to select from – sheet, LVT and LVP. Let’s take a closer look at each type. 

Sheet Vinyl

This versatile material can be cut to any length and is glued to the floor and smoothed out to create a level surface. You may choose a single colour with flecks of complementary tones, or opt for a wooden floor effect. What’s great about this kind of vinyl is the fact it is cushioned underneath so you can walk barefoot, and it is not cold like wood or concrete styles of flooring. It is most often used in areas where there is a lot of traffic, such as the kitchen or along a stretch of hall. 

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Created in a similar way to sheet vinyl, these specially printed tiles are thicker and aim to provide a solid base for any room in the home. You can select from a range of colours such as stone or wood, and they are incredibly realistic. Hardwearing and resistant to spillages of water, they are the top option for bathrooms when you need to match wall tile with floor tile effortlessly. What’s more, they are very easy to clean and can be swept, hoovered and mopped. 

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Sometimes a square tile just doesn’t create the look you’re seeking to emulate, however LVP come in strips like planks of wood and are thin and long, capable of being laid next to each other with a tight seal. They are highly cost effective when compared to their wooden counterparts and if cared for properly will last for many years. Due to their size and shape, they lend themselves best to hallways and kitchens. 

Should I Choose LVT, LVP Or Sheet Vinyl?

There is not much difference between these two choices when it comes down to the quality of the material as both are created to high standards, however depending on the kind of effect you want to create may swing your decision making. 
LVT are rectangular or square shaped tiles so they are great at creating a tiled floor look which is characteristic of ceramic or stone type floors laid in slabs. LVP on the other hand are long strips much like planks of wood, so to get that real wood effect you should probably opt for these. 
If you want to recreate a style of concrete flooring or a pattern which stretches the length of the room, then sheet is the perfect option for this. You can have this type of vinyl cut to any size and it can be laid in a short amount of time. 

Is LVP And LVT Cheaper Than Sheet Vinyl?

When it comes to LVT and LVP, you won’t notice a huge difference in price because both are manufactured individually to be laid as such, and they have different shapes. Therefore, you should really look at the cost per square metre, which can range from the cheapest £30 up to £70 for top-quality vinyl tiles or planks. 
What you are paying for is the quality of the effect on the top surface, and many expensive vinyl products from a distance look identical to stone and wood, mimicking everything from the texture of stone to the woodgrain in a plank of timber. 
Overall, if you are trying to renovate on a budget then sheet vinyl should be the most cost-effective way forward, costing only around £20 to £25 per square metre. You will discover a satisfying range of choices sure to work well in any room you choose to implement this new look in/

Which Vinyl Will Last The Longest?

Sheet vinyl is undoubtedly the type with the shortest lifespan, even if it has been fitted correctly and receives regular maintenance. If you drop something sharp on sheet vinyl or drag furniture across it, you could cause it to tear, leaving an unsightly rip that cannot be covered up. 
LVT and LVP on the other hand is much tougher once laid and can withstand a lot of traffic and day-to-day movement by the family. The tiles and planks are settled more on the floor and tacked down to ensure minimal movement, but sheet vinyl can move around if not secured properly. The ‘wear layer’ is the top surface, and the thicker you purchase the more durable it is, but it is also more expensive.
Whichever product you choose, you can be sure to enjoy at least a decade of wear from it, and even two or more decades if you preserve it well with regular cleaning and maintenance. We’d recommend paying more for a thicker layer on areas with high traffic such as the kitchen and hallways, but opt for a thinner more affordable layer if you want to use it in the bathroom or small wash closet. 
Whether you are looking to renovate your home with sheet vinyl, LVT or LVP, Refresh Renovations are here to answer any questions you have. We have provided a helpful hand and assistance renovating hundreds of properties over the years, and we’d love to collaborate with your renovation too!
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