Vinyl Flooring

Prior to the release of hybrid flooring, vinyl plank flooring was the go-to product for most households. It is still a hugely popular option for both commercial and residential use.

The benefits of vinyl plank flooring include:

• Commercially rated wear layers
• Options for any budget
• Low maintenance and easy to clean
• Huge variety of options including stone, tile and timber looks
• DIY-friendly installation
• With the right floor preparation, it can be used over any subfloor, including wet areas
• Repairs are relatively easy in that single planks can be replaced without uplifting other sections of the floor

The disadvantage of vinyl floors are their sensitivity to temperature, meaning that if it is not bonded to the floor with hard-set adhesive, it is likely to grow and shrink with changes in temperature. Vinyl plank flooring can also look a little like plastic because the surface is rarely embossed in register, and the pattern repeat is not great in most cases. It is also one of the least eco-friendly flooring options available.

Vinyl flooring, hybrid flooring, and laminate flooring are all popular choices for modern homes and businesses. Each offers unique benefits to cater to different needs and preferences. Here's how the differ:

• Vinyl flooring: Vinyl is renowned for its exceptional water resistance, making it ideal for areas prone to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. It is made from synthetic materials, which provide a soft, comfortable feel underfoot. Additionally, vinyl offers remarkable durability and an extensive range of designs and finishes that can mimic natural wood and stone closely.
• Hybrid flooring: As the name suggests, hybrid flooring combines the best attributes of laminate and vinyl. It is constructed with multiple layers that include a rigid core technology, making it extremely stable and resistant to temperature changes. Hybrid floors are also waterproof, offering the aesthetics of laminate with the durability and resilience of vinyl. This flooring is suitable for every room in the house, including high moisture areas.
• Laminate flooring: Laminate is valued for its cost-effectiveness and its ability to closely replicate the appearance of wood or stone. It features a high-density fibreboard core, making it strong but not as resistant to moisture as vinyl or hybrid options. Laminate flooring is best suited for dry areas and is appreciated for its ease of installation and maintenance.

When choosing between vinyl, hybrid, and laminate flooring, consider the room's moisture exposure, desired underfoot feel, and the overall look you aim to achieve. Vinyl is ideal for moisture-rich environments, hybrid flooring offers a versatile and durable solution throughout the home, and laminate provides an economical yet attractive option for dry areas.

In residential applications, a .5mm wear layer has become the ‘norm’ for luxury vinyl plank flooring. This wear layer was originally designed for commercial applications, making it especially durable in domestic applications. A .5mm wear layer carries a 25 year or greater wear warranty with almost every manufacturer.

Online Flooring Store recommends using vinyl luxury flooring in any room in your home or business. These products are known for being a water-resistant and easy-to-clean option for flooring. These qualities make it a great choice for any room, especially one which might experience the unexpected spill.

Due to the durability of the material and its reliability in moist environments, vinyl looselay flooring is often a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms. For a reasonable expense, vinyl floors allow you to achieve the same high-quality, luxury look and feel of other flooring varieties.

Yes, although we recommend using felt furniture pads underneath furniture legs to prevent scratches. Avoid using rubber as this can stain luxury vinyl flooring.

For heavy appliances and furniture, use a large, non-staining surface floor protector. You can also put most luxury vinyl plank under appliances and kitchen cabinets, but it is a good idea to glue down those sections.

Vinyl Plank is quite easy to install compared to other resilient and hard flooring types. It is the detail work and finishing of difficult cutting where the skills of a tradesman can make a big difference.

If you think you’d like to try installing Vinyl Plank Flooring as a DIY project, we’ve put together this handy Installation guide to help you in the task. Otherwise, we can have one of over 220 qualified trades people Australia wide contact you.

Even though it is durable and waterproof, luxury vinyl flooring is not recommended for exterior installation. Using luxury vinyl outside will almost certainly void the manufacturer's warranty.

Some Manufacturers allow Vinyl Planks to be installed over underfloor heating systems. However, ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly if you are going to use Vinyl plank in this application.

Yes, however the floor must be completely level, and the grout joins must be filled and brought up to the height of the rest of the floor. Tiles with a textured surface must be levelled also, as over time Vinyl plank flooring will telegraph any height differences in the sub-floor beneath it.

If vinyl plank flooring is being installed over yellow tongue boards or timber floors, most manufacturers require that a masonite underlay be nailed to the floor first.

For acoustic purposes, underlays are available to help with structure-borne noise reduction.

90% of vinyl planks are laid directly on to concrete. Therefore, they are not considered a type of floating floor. Acoustic underlay is required in high-rise applications and multi-level buildings, such as offices and apartments.

This acoustic underlay is made of rubber and cork, is between 2-5mm in thickness, and acts purely as a noise reduction for the premises below. NOTE: Underlay does not act as a floor levelling property and isn't used for fixing an uneven floor.