What is vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring (PVC flooring, often sold as LVT or luxury vinyl tile) is a floor covering made largely of polyvinyl chloride, with a printed design layer and a clear wear layer on top. The design usually imitates wood, tiles or concrete. Vinyl floors are water-resistant, warm underfoot and relatively quiet.
Construction
- Wear layer: clear top layer that resists scratches and wear; a thicker wear layer lasts longer
- Design layer: the print
- Core or backing layer: determines stiffness and dimensional stability
- Underside: sometimes with an integrated underlay
Types
| Type | Feature | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Glue-down (dryback) | Thin planks or tiles fully bonded to the subfloor | The subfloor must be almost perfectly flat; every bump shows through |
| Click vinyl | Thicker planks with a click system, laid floating | A little more forgiving, but still needs a flat base and expansion gaps |
| Rigid core (SPC) | Click planks with a stiff core | More stable with temperature changes, bridges small irregularities better |
Practical tips
- Subfloor: flat, dry, clean and sound. Glue-down vinyl on a screed almost always needs a levelling compound. Let new screeds dry out properly and test moisture when in doubt.
- Acclimatise: leave the packs in the room, usually for 24 to 48 hours as the manufacturer specifies.
- Expansion gap: leave a perimeter gap with click vinyl and cover it with skirting or beading.
- Underfloor heating: manufacturers usually set a maximum surface temperature of 27 °C. Follow a commissioning (warm-up) procedure and choose an underlay with low thermal resistance.
- Sunlight: large south-facing glazing can heat dark vinyl strongly. Glue-down and rigid core floors cope better than thin click planks.
- Care: no steam mops, no harsh cleaners. Use felt pads under furniture; rubber feet and rubber-backed mats can cause staining.
Costs
As a guide, budget 20 to 60 euros per m² for materials and 15 to 35 euros per m² for fitting. Levelling often comes on top and can add 10 to 25 euros per m² depending on the condition of the floor. Compare quotes for the same product and the same preparation.
Related terms
- Linoleum
- PVC
- Levelling compound
- Screed
- Parquet floor
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.