Introduction: Conservatories and Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Conservatories are a popular addition to a home, as they offer a beautiful bridge between the excitement of outdoors and the comfort of indoors. However, from a flooring perspective, conservatories can present a challenge as these rooms are often subject to extreme temperatures, moisture fluctuations, increased footfall and extra dirt. Thankfully, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) were invented! LVT is capable of dealing with extreme temperatures and moisture variation, also it is hardwearing and easy to maintain. This article will explore why vinyl flooring is the one of the best choices for your conservatory.
Advantages of Luxury Vinyl Tiles in Conservatories
1. Durability: Conservatories tend to be high-traffic areas of the home. Additionally, they are often subjected to extra dirt that can wear out the floor quicker than normal. Thankfully, luxury vinyl tiles are very durable thanks to a top coating that helps protect the tile against wear, making them an excellent choice for conservatories.
2. Moisture Resistance: Conservatories are subject to fluctuations in humidity levels due to their indoor-outdoor hybrid nature. Some floors, such as wood and laminate would struggle with these changes. However, luxury vinyl tiles do not, thanks to their PVC-core, which again makes them an excellent choice for use in conservatories.
3. Stability: Another challenge that conservatories pose to their floor is temperature. Conservatories are subject to extreme temperature changes. In the UK, a conservatory can go from incredibly warm in summer to exceptionally cold in winter. Out of your hard flooring options, luxury vinyl is the best choice for handling these extreme temperature shifts as it is a very stable floor meaning that it expands and contracts minimally when compared to other hard floors.
4. Comfort: Hard floors, such as ceramic or porcelain tiles also make a good choice for conservatories, as they are resistant to heat and moisture changes. However, these tiles often feel hard and cold underfoot. Whereas, luxury vinyl tiles have a softer and warmer feel underfoot resulting in a cosier feeling space.
5. Ease of Maintenance: Children, pets and – let’s be honest – even us adults bring dirt into a conservatory. It’s a given for a space that bridges the indoors and outdoors. Thankfully, with just a weekly sweep and mop luxury vinyl tiles can go from muddy and dirty to sparkly and clean in no time at all.
6. Design Choices: One aspect of vinyl flooring that people tend to forget is the sheer range of designs available. If you want your LVT to look like wood that is possible or maybe you want your floor to look like stone, but without the cold feel underfoot, well with vinyl tiles that is possible too!
Conservatory Flooring Alternatives
Let’s say for some reason that you do not want luxury vinyl flooring in your conservatory, so let’s take a look at what options you are left with.
• Carpet: Not ideal, as soft floors will trap a lot of dirt and look drab in the long run.
• Laminate: Looks great, but heat and moisture changes can cause warping and gapping.
• Real Wood: Same as laminate, though to a lesser extent.
• Carpet Tiles: Same as carpet, though to a lesser extent.
• Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles: A good alternative, but expensive and cold underfoot.
• Vinyl Sheets: A good alternative to vinyl tiles!
It becomes apparent that when it comes to choosing a top floor for your conservatory that luxury vinyl really is the best.
Considerations When Choosing and Laying LVT in Your Conservatory
• Sunlight: Everyone loves the sun, but your luxury vinyl floor does not. Whilst LVT comes with a UPVC top coat to help protect against fading, eventually the sun will win and fade your tiles over time. To combat this, consider using window tints or blinds to protect your floor from overexposure to direct sunlight.
• Underfloor Heating: Having explored the danger that temperature fluctuations pose to your luxury vinyl tiles in terms of gapping and warping, you may want to consider underfloor heating to help maintain a stable temperature in your conservatory during winter.
• Fans and Windows: This is again to do with temperature regulation, but in the summertime. Reducing those extreme temperatures in your conservatory will help to provide a longer life for your LVT floor.
• Subfloor: Ensuring that your conservatory subfloor is clean, flat and dry will help provide longevity for your luxury vinyl tiles. Additionally, consider laying underlay to further protect and support your new flooring.
