Types of Vinyl Flooring
With seemingly endless options and styles of vinyl flooring, it can seem impossible to know where to start. With this simple guide, we'll help explain the main types of vinyl flooring and the benefits and disadvantages of each. Different types of vinyl flooring have different uses, with some being more durable and suited for high traffic areas, whereas others are designed to be more comfortable underfoot. If you're looking for inspiration for new flooring, take a look at our vinyl flooring buyers guide.
What is click vinyl flooring?
When you start your research on vinyl flooring, it won't be long before click vinyl tiles, (also known as LVT or luxury vinyl tiles) make an appearance. Vinyl click tiles are designed with multiple layers to ensure durability but are finished with a stylish design, whether that be a wood or stone effect. Each tile is comprised of up to 8 layers, including the hard-wearing back layers, the layer on which the design is printed, and normally 2 protective top layers to keep your tile safe against dirt and general wear and tear.
The great thing about luxury vinyl tiles is their ease of installation; with no adhesive required, these can be fit yourself with easy repositioning - they really do just 'click' into place. Including a host of other benefits, click vinyl tiles are the perfect entry into the vinyl flooring market.
Sheet/Roll Vinyl Flooring
If you're looking for an extensive range of designs, whilst maintaining durability, ease of installation and insulation, sheet vinyl flooring is your best bet. Unlike vinyl tiles or types of vinyl plank flooring, this style of flooring comes in a large flexible sheet instead of individual pieces. Sheet vinyl is also easy to install and inexpensive which makes it a good option if you want quick and easy flooring with a sleek finish.
Sheet vinyl flooring is particularly well suited for kitchens and bathrooms, as its moisture-resistant properties are ideal for splashes and spillages.
Sheet vinyl vs LVT - side-by-side
Sheet vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are both 100% waterproof synthetic PVC flooring, but they look, cost and install very differently. Here's how they compare on the attributes UK buyers weigh up most.
| Sheet vinyl | LVT | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Single roll cut to size; glued, taped or loose-laid | Click-lock planks or glue-down tiles |
| Cost per m² | £9 - £25 | £25 - £55 |
| Lifespan | 10 - 20 years | 15 - 25 years |
| Water resistance | 100% waterproof, seamless in small rooms | 100% waterproof; joints sealed on glue-down, tight on click |
| Individual plank replaceable? | No | Yes, on glue-down |
| Appearance | Continuous pattern, including realistic wood and tile visuals | Plank or tile with realistic wood, stone and ceramic visuals |
Pros of sheet vinyl
Sheet vinyl gives you a seamless finish - no joints for water to sneak through, which makes it the most reliably waterproof floor in small bathrooms and utility rooms. It's also the cheapest vinyl per m², starting around £9/m² for entry-level cushion vinyl and £15 - £25/m² for the mid-range. Installation is fast (a 4m x 4m bathroom can be cut, fitted and trimmed in half a day), and it's the easiest vinyl to specify for rented properties, first homes and budget refreshes.
Pros of LVT
LVT gives you the most realistic visuals - planks or tiles with embossed surfaces that mimic oak, walnut, travertine or slate convincingly. Individual planks on glue-down LVT are replaceable plank-by-plank, so an isolated damaged area doesn't mean re-flooring the whole room. LVT also feels more premium underfoot, works better with underfloor heating (especially glue-down), and lasts longer on average - 20-25 years is common on premium ranges.
Which suits which room?
Sheet vinyl works best in bathrooms, utilities, downstairs WCs, and any room where seamlessness and cost matter more than plank realism. LVT works best in kitchens, living spaces, hallways and conservatories - anywhere the floor is a significant visual element and longer lifespan justifies the higher spend.
Is LVT worth the extra cost over sheet vinyl?
Yes, if the room is a permanent-feature space (kitchen, living room, hallway, conservatory) or if you want wood or stone visuals you can't spot as vinyl from across the room. No, if the room is utilitarian (utility, bathroom, WC) or if the floor is part of a 6-10 year refresh cycle - sheet vinyl gives you two rounds of replacement for the price of one LVT fit.
Whatever room you want to deck out and what style you want to go for, one of these vinyl options is perfect for you. Whether you want durability, insulation, moisture resistance or comfort, there's something for everyone in our vinyl flooring range.