Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide
Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide
Key Takeaways: Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide
- What is luxury vinyl flooring or LVT?
- How can I buy it and where can I buy LVT?
- Is it safe to buy luxury vinyl tiles on the Internet?
- Where are the floors made?
- What are the best brands and names to go for?
- Is luxury vinyl flooring pet friendly?
- What is the average price of a good quality LVT?
- Can I install into all rooms in my home?
- Laminate vs LVT - which one is best?
- Do I always need a professional fitter to install my new floor?
- What is this new LVT floor with attached underlay?
- How many design strips do I need?
A BIG subject to cover here and an increasingly popular choice of floor covering both in the home and in many commercial establishments. Luxury vinyl flooring has been in increasing demand from many homeowners and landlords for well over 10 years now. Seen as a highly durable, easy to clean and attractive solution in every room in the home and many offices up and down the UK. We have provided a breakdown of who we consider to be the leading retailers, both online and offline in the LVT market. You can read more about who we choose to delve into in our LVT buyers Guide.
LVT is an abbreviation for Luxury Vinyl Tiles. A very popular floor covering, LVT flooring can look like real wood or real stone and have any design printed on it, but it also offers many practical benefits. It is produced in shapes of tiles or planks. Historically this type of floor covering would be purchased in carpet and flooring shops up and down the country. Read more on the comparisons between LVT and wood flooring.
However, the latest move in the market is for luxury vinyl flooring to be purchased online (through Flooring Hut and other Internet retailers). The consumer then locates and hires a local and reputable installer to complete the job professionally. It is easy to find a reputable online retailer of LVT, there is us (Obviously), but also companies like Flooring Supplies and Tapi who can be relied upon to deliver a first class buying experience. Please see our page on the specific subject of LVT flooring reviews for further help and guidance before purchasing.
LVT in the UK is not new any more. However there are a constant stream of new manufacturers, brands, designs, effects, installation types and much more appearing on the market to maintain consumer interest in this type of vinyl flooring. There are some great British brands that dominate here, namely: Amtico; Karndean and Polyflor. So lets start by taking a brief look at these three leading brands:
Amtico Flooring
Designed for your home and/or your commercial client! A premium priced range of LVT, designed and finished in the UK. Amtico offer an extensive range of luxury vinyl tiles which means that there will be an Amtico floor that’s perfect for every room in your home.
Karndean Flooring
Combining original features with cutting edge design, Karndean create simply beautiful LVT floors that you will appreciate for a lifetime. Start your journey today and find out how to buy your new Karndean floor on Flooring Hut. Their floors are designed to last a lifetime and stand up to anything family life throws at them. See how life is being lived on Karndean floors.
Polyflor Flooring
Design-led luxury vinyl plank and tile floor coverings available in multiple size formats. Incorporating a variety of realistic surface textures, the Polyflor luxury vinyl flooring collections authentically capture the latest trends in wood, stone and abstract materials. Suitable for use in commercial and residential interiors.
There are other brands as well that we feature on Flooring Hut, not least of which are our very own ranges of Burrnest and Burleigh. Sepcifically we have Luvanto; Moduleo; Lifestyle Floors; TLC; Gerflor; Forbo; LG and others as well. There really has been a tremendous proliferation in the choice now available for UK consumers and commercial clients. In fact, the market is becoming rather saturated in our opinion, particularly when you add in the big sheds like B&Q and Wickes - both of whom offer LVT at excellent value-for-money prices. Our leading LVT ranges include the following: Exclusive by Flooring Hut; Polyflor Camaro; Polyflor Camaro Loc; Karndean Knight Tile; Karndean Van Gogh; Amtico Spacia; Amtico Signature: Luvanto Click Plus and Luvanto Design.
Manufactured in Which Countries?
Where is most LVT made? It's a great question and would get the juices of Amtico loyalists champing at the bit to tell you that Amtico is 'Made in Britain'. Whilst Amtico are recognised as a leading manufacturer and supplier of luxury modern flooring and everything that Amtico manufacture is all crafted in their factory in Coventry, whether the floor (across all ranges) is actually manufactured in the UK is possibly not the case...
Other notable countries where luxury vinyl tiles are made are China, Turkey and Belgium in the EU. These countries all possess either ultra low wage rate economies and/or a high degree of expertise in manufacturing vinyl floors. It is the case that the construction of virtually all LVTs has a high degree of similarity. LVT is made of plastic with an image of wood (or stone) on the surface. The primary components of vinyl floor coverings include polyvinyl chloride (or vinyl) resins, plasticizers (high molecular-weight solvents), pigments and trace stabilizers, and a carrier sheet or backing.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring in the Home
In general you can install luxury vinyl tiles in all rooms around the home. There are considerations however in respect of room temperatures (i.e. conservatories in the height of Summer, or a red hot commercial kitchen) and the installation type of the particular LVT floor. This information can be viewed before you purchase either on the retailers website or from the manufacturer direct. In fact, nearly all of the leading brands have customer service and technical helplines where you can make enquiries about room suitability before parting with your money for your new LVT. Read about the waterproof qualities of LVT.
LVT flooring can make an excellent choice for your home, particularly in the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. It has everything you need in a floor; looks, ease of cleaning, comfort, and durability:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Conservatories (see above)
- Hallways
- Living Rooms
- Dining Rooms
- Stairs and Landings
Underfloor Heating
A common question! To put it simply, yes, you can easily install underfloor heating with your LVT. In fact, LVT flooring is ideal for many homes with underfloor heating as the floor can expand and contract with the temperature of the room.
Commercial Environments for Luxury Vinyl flooring
LVT is a versatile product that can be used across many segments, including retail, hospitality, workplace, healthcare, and education spaces. LVT offers premium-quality finishes with durable surfaces at a reduced cost from traditional materials, such as stone or wood.
How Much Does LVT Cost?
LVT flooring fitting cost per square metre is best sourced direct from a local installer. Fitting rates vary greatly in different parts of the UK, so to give one arbitary figure here could be misleading if you are living in the centre of London! However, for supply only prices on LVT we can take a pretty accurate position (as you would expect from us as we are leading UK retailers of luxury vinyl flooring!):
- Lower end quality/value range @ Per square metre £15 / £25 / £30+
- Mid range quality @ Per square metre £25 / £35 / £40+
- Parquet/Herringbone pattern @ Per square metre £50 / £60 / £70+
- Higher end Per square metre @ £50 / £60 / £70+
- Vinyl Loc Underlay (Click LVT) @ Per square metre £7+
How Can I Install my Luxury Vinyl Tiles?
In general the LVT market comprises of 3 different installation methods: locking system or click, glue down (otherwise known as stick down, requiring the correct LVT adhesive) or looselay. It's important to check which installation method your vinyl flooring is before starting. In addition, now we have seen the introduction and rising popularity of Rigid core SPC. This is click-type plank vinyl flooring that does not require any adhesives. Read about the importance of leaving expansion gaps during the installation phase of your new luxury vinyl tiles.
It is fast becoming the go-to choice for homeowners and business owners because of its many features and advantages. Often, to protect the manufacturers product guarantee and warranty you will need to ensure that your new LVT floor is professionally installed by a qualified LVT fitter. It can sometimes be difficult to locate an experienced installer, however in light of the warranty protection stipulations (enforced by some brands), it is a route that you must at the very least check the manufacturer guidelines on before proceeding with your fitting. Last but not least we have the coming wave of:
SELF ADHESIVE VINYL FLOORING (PEEL AND STICK)
Self adhesive vinyl flooring planks and tiles, for a low cost DIY friendly flooring system. The easy peel and stick floor system, means once you have a clean, dry and smooth subfloor, just peel off the backing paper and press the planks firmly to the subfloor, giving extra pressure, ensures they will stick better and the more traffic they get the stronger the bond will be created. A great option for potential DIY enthusiasts!
Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide
Key Takeaways: Luxury Vinyl Flooring Guide
- What is luxury vinyl flooring or LVT?
- How can I buy it and where can I buy LVT?
- Is it safe to buy luxury vinyl tiles on the Internet?
- Where are the floors made?
- What are the best brands and names to go for?
- Is luxury vinyl flooring pet friendly?
- What is the average price of a good quality LVT?
- Can I install into all rooms in my home?
- Laminate vs LVT - which one is best?
- Do I always need a professional fitter to install my new floor?
- What is this new LVT floor with attached underlay?
- How many design strips do I need?
A BIG subject to cover here and an increasingly popular choice of floor covering both in the home and in many commercial establishments. Luxury vinyl flooring has been in increasing demand from many homeowners and landlords for well over 10 years now. Seen as a highly durable, easy to clean and attractive solution in every room in the home and many offices up and down the UK. We have provided a breakdown of who we consider to be the leading retailers, both online and offline in the LVT market. You can read more about who we choose to delve into in our LVT buyers Guide.
LVT is an abbreviation for Luxury Vinyl Tiles. A very popular floor covering, LVT flooring can look like real wood or real stone and have any design printed on it, but it also offers many practical benefits. It is produced in shapes of tiles or planks. Historically this type of floor covering would be purchased in carpet and flooring shops up and down the country. Read more on the comparisons between LVT and wood flooring.
However, the latest move in the market is for luxury vinyl flooring to be purchased online (through Flooring Hut and other Internet retailers). The consumer then locates and hires a local and reputable installer to complete the job professionally. It is easy to find a reputable online retailer of LVT, there is us (Obviously), but also companies like Flooring Supplies and Tapi who can be relied upon to deliver a first class buying experience. Please see our page on the specific subject of LVT flooring reviews for further help and guidance before purchasing.
LVT in the UK is not new any more. However there are a constant stream of new manufacturers, brands, designs, effects, installation types and much more appearing on the market to maintain consumer interest in this type of vinyl flooring. There are some great British brands that dominate here, namely: Amtico; Karndean and Polyflor. So lets start by taking a brief look at these three leading brands:
Amtico Flooring
Designed for your home and/or your commercial client! A premium priced range of LVT, designed and finished in the UK. Amtico offer an extensive range of luxury vinyl tiles which means that there will be an Amtico floor that’s perfect for every room in your home.
Karndean Flooring
Combining original features with cutting edge design, Karndean create simply beautiful LVT floors that you will appreciate for a lifetime. Start your journey today and find out how to buy your new Karndean floor on Flooring Hut. Their floors are designed to last a lifetime and stand up to anything family life throws at them. See how life is being lived on Karndean floors.
Polyflor Flooring
Design-led luxury vinyl plank and tile floor coverings available in multiple size formats. Incorporating a variety of realistic surface textures, the Polyflor luxury vinyl flooring collections authentically capture the latest trends in wood, stone and abstract materials. Suitable for use in commercial and residential interiors.
There are other brands as well that we feature on Flooring Hut, not least of which are our very own ranges of Burrnest and Burleigh. Sepcifically we have Luvanto; Moduleo; Lifestyle Floors; TLC; Gerflor; Forbo; LG and others as well. There really has been a tremendous proliferation in the choice now available for UK consumers and commercial clients. In fact, the market is becoming rather saturated in our opinion, particularly when you add in the big sheds like B&Q and Wickes - both of whom offer LVT at excellent value-for-money prices. Our leading LVT ranges include the following: Exclusive by Flooring Hut; Polyflor Camaro; Polyflor Camaro Loc; Karndean Knight Tile; Karndean Van Gogh; Amtico Spacia; Amtico Signature: Luvanto Click Plus and Luvanto Design.
Manufactured in Which Countries?
Where is most LVT made? It's a great question and would get the juices of Amtico loyalists champing at the bit to tell you that Amtico is 'Made in Britain'. Whilst Amtico are recognised as a leading manufacturer and supplier of luxury modern flooring and everything that Amtico manufacture is all crafted in their factory in Coventry, whether the floor (across all ranges) is actually manufactured in the UK is possibly not the case...
Other notable countries where luxury vinyl tiles are made are China, Turkey and Belgium in the EU. These countries all possess either ultra low wage rate economies and/or a high degree of expertise in manufacturing vinyl floors. It is the case that the construction of virtually all LVTs has a high degree of similarity. LVT is made of plastic with an image of wood (or stone) on the surface. The primary components of vinyl floor coverings include polyvinyl chloride (or vinyl) resins, plasticizers (high molecular-weight solvents), pigments and trace stabilizers, and a carrier sheet or backing.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring in the Home
In general you can install luxury vinyl tiles in all rooms around the home. There are considerations however in respect of room temperatures (i.e. conservatories in the height of Summer, or a red hot commercial kitchen) and the installation type of the particular LVT floor. This information can be viewed before you purchase either on the retailers website or from the manufacturer direct. In fact, nearly all of the leading brands have customer service and technical helplines where you can make enquiries about room suitability before parting with your money for your new LVT. Read about the waterproof qualities of LVT.
LVT flooring can make an excellent choice for your home, particularly in the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. It has everything you need in a floor; looks, ease of cleaning, comfort, and durability:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Conservatories (see above)
- Hallways
- Living Rooms
- Dining Rooms
- Stairs and Landings
Underfloor Heating
A common question! To put it simply, yes, you can easily install underfloor heating with your LVT. In fact, LVT flooring is ideal for many homes with underfloor heating as the floor can expand and contract with the temperature of the room.
Commercial Environments for Luxury Vinyl flooring
LVT is a versatile product that can be used across many segments, including retail, hospitality, workplace, healthcare, and education spaces. LVT offers premium-quality finishes with durable surfaces at a reduced cost from traditional materials, such as stone or wood.
How Much Does LVT Cost?
LVT flooring fitting cost per square metre is best sourced direct from a local installer. Fitting rates vary greatly in different parts of the UK, so to give one arbitary figure here could be misleading if you are living in the centre of London! However, for supply only prices on LVT we can take a pretty accurate position (as you would expect from us as we are leading UK retailers of luxury vinyl flooring!):
- Lower end quality/value range @ Per square metre £15 / £25 / £30+
- Mid range quality @ Per square metre £25 / £35 / £40+
- Parquet/Herringbone pattern @ Per square metre £50 / £60 / £70+
- Higher end Per square metre @ £50 / £60 / £70+
- Vinyl Loc Underlay (Click LVT) @ Per square metre £7+
How Can I Install my Luxury Vinyl Tiles?
In general the LVT market comprises of 3 different installation methods: locking system or click, glue down (otherwise known as stick down, requiring the correct LVT adhesive) or looselay. It's important to check which installation method your vinyl flooring is before starting. In addition, now we have seen the introduction and rising popularity of Rigid core SPC. This is click-type plank vinyl flooring that does not require any adhesives. Read about the importance of leaving expansion gaps during the installation phase of your new luxury vinyl tiles.
It is fast becoming the go-to choice for homeowners and business owners because of its many features and advantages. Often, to protect the manufacturers product guarantee and warranty you will need to ensure that your new LVT floor is professionally installed by a qualified LVT fitter. It can sometimes be difficult to locate an experienced installer, however in light of the warranty protection stipulations (enforced by some brands), it is a route that you must at the very least check the manufacturer guidelines on before proceeding with your fitting. Last but not least we have the coming wave of:
SELF ADHESIVE VINYL FLOORING (PEEL AND STICK)
Self adhesive vinyl flooring planks and tiles, for a low cost DIY friendly flooring system. The easy peel and stick floor system, means once you have a clean, dry and smooth subfloor, just peel off the backing paper and press the planks firmly to the subfloor, giving extra pressure, ensures they will stick better and the more traffic they get the stronger the bond will be created. A great option for potential DIY enthusiasts!
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