What Does it Cost to Install Vinyl Flooring?

If you are redoing your floors, vinyl is a fantastic solution for all kinds of settings. It’s affordable and works well in high-moisture areas – places where hardwood normally fails. Vinyl flooring is flexible and versatile, and it offers endless customisation options, which the local and international market adores. It’s a remarkably viable option for everyone including high-end customers to those with a smaller budget. With it being such a popular solution, the cost of vinyl flooring has become a hot topic, as many feel there seems to be no clear-cut way to get a quote. Various brands all feature different price ranges, and it is important to remember that several factors influence the price of not only the product but also how much it will cost to install vinyl flooring.

What is Vinyl Flooring and How is it Made?

Vinyl flooring comes in several forms, namely sheets, tiles and planks. Luxury vinyl tiles and planks (LVT and LVP) are currently the most popular and trendy form of the product, and most people who ask about the cost of vinyl floors are referring to LVTs. The sheeting form comes in large rolls that can cover whole areas and makes a superb addition to places like bathrooms because it completely seals the floor when you install it. Sheeting is also the thinnest, and therefore, cheapest product. Tiles and planks, on the other hand, are manufactured to mimic stone or ceramic tiles, or real hardwood planks – these are referred to as “luxury vinyl” because they are thicker and more durable.

This multi-layered product is 100% synthetic, made with a backing base sheet (usually fibreglass) which is then coated with vinyl compounds and plasticiser. The sheet is then printed with a realistic image and embossed to resemble materials such as wood or stone. A transparent wear layer of polyurethane coats the top of the product to prevent damage from scratches, abrasions, stains and fading.

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Flooring

If you are considering LVTs or LVPs for your property, it is vital to understand both the advantages and drawbacks of this kind of floor. Some of the benefits include:

• They are 100% waterproof. Most LVPs and LVTs are highly resistant to water, but many new products on the market are altogether waterproof, making it the best kind of floor to install for high-moisture areas like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
• They offer long-lasting durability. The wear layer on this type of floor gives them superior resistance to scratches and stains, which means they look great for a long time.
• You’ll experience more underfoot comfort because of a multi-layered composition that gives the floors a padded feel. This is inevitably softer than ceramic tiles or hardwood floors. This padding also absorbs sound better, which creates acoustic insulation in a room.
• The labour required to install this product is less complicated than other kinds of floors, and more affordable too.
• Maintenance is easy and requires vacuuming, sweeping and mopping to keep it looking spick and span.

As with all kinds of floors, vinyl flooring has a few downsides too, such as:

• Once an LVT or LVP is damaged, it needs to be replaced as refinishing the wear layers is not possible. The positive here is that individual tiles and planks can be replaced without having to redo the entire floor. Sheeting, on the other hand, may require a complete overhaul.
• LVTs and LVPs are not the most environmentally friendly of floors. Some products give off volatile organic compounds which may negatively affect indoor environments with poor ventilation. When choosing a brand and product, look for low-VOC options.

The Plank Thickness You Select

A thicker wear layer and thicker plank mean that the product is of better quality – which inevitably raises its price. Thicker planks and tiles are sturdier and feel better underfoot. They can also hide minor flaws on subfloors that have been improperly prepared. Planks are known to range between 2 mm to 8,5 mm, with thicker designs being used for high-traffic, commercial areas, while people install thinner planks in low-traffic areas such as residential settings. Wear layer thickness also differs between products, ranging between 0,15 mm to 0,55 mm. For homes with children and pets, a thicker wear layer is always better, though this will hike up the cost.

What Kind of Space You’re Re-flooring

The more the labour required, the higher the cost to install your floors. Floors with lots of corners or stairs will take more time to install the product too. High-rise buildings or rooms with a lot of furniture to be moved may also play a role in the cost.

The Subfloor Preparation Process

Before you install vinyl flooring, the subfloor will need to be correctly conditioned. This means levelling it out and adding moisture barriers that will keep your floors looking marvellous for years to come. The more preparation a subfloor requires, the higher the overall cost of the installation.

If you are keen on learning about vinyl flooring or want to get an accurate quote on how much it would cost to install them in your home, you can contact us here.

Alternatively, feel free to browse our online catalogue of trendy designs ideal for any space, and use the cost estimator tool beneath each listing.