Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) & Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVPs)

These are very durable flooring options for both residential and commercial installations and can be used to replicate the look of natural stone or wood without the higher costs of these materials. Many Luxury Vinyl products are waterproof, which means they can be used anywhere, including bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms. They are also very low maintenance on a day to day basis. Thanks to their hard wearing finish, your floors will never need to be waxed, polished or sealed, a quick damp mop or sweep with a soft brush will keep them clean. Luxury Vinyl can also be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, provided the beater bar has been disengaged. It is also worth pointing out that these products do not harbour the amount of dust and dirt that a carpet will.

Luxury Vinyl will however, dent or scuff if subjected to careless handling of heavy objects or equipment such as washing machines or other appliances. Like some other flooring products they will also fade if subjected to direct sunlight over a period of time. There are two types of Luxury Vinyl, clip together or stick down. One is fitted simply by clipping the planks or tiles together while the other is glued to the floor. The clip together product is easily lifted for access to underfloor areas, or to replace a damaged section of the floor, while the product which is glued to the floor can be very difficult to remove.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles & Planks may vary in cost from £10 to £60 per sq. metre

Vinyl

Sheet Vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring options of all. For a flooring solution that’s incredibly easy to install and maintain, sheet vinyl flooring can be cut to size for the perfect fit for any room in your home. If installed properly and well maintained, it can last upwards of ten to twenty years. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) products are much thicker (5mm up to 12mm) than traditional sheet vinyl floors (2mm). These can often be installed over existing floors whereas sheet vinyl would most probably need an underlay such as hardboard to ensure an even finish. Vinyl is relatively soft, therefore any small particles trapped under it can cause wear over time, with lumps eventually beginning to appear in the surface, which may cause the material, to perforate. If the flooring is damaged, it is very difficult to repair without losing its appearance. Sheet Vinyl is water resistant which makes it ideal for areas such as bathrooms, kitchens or laundry rooms where the floor may be prone to get wet. This flooring is also very easy to clean, with a brush to remove loose dirt particles followed by a damp mop.  Sheet vinyl is sold in standard widths up to 12 foot. If wider than 12 feet each way, a seam is required.

Vinyl sheet prices may vary from £15 to £30 per sq. metre

Vinyl Tiles

Self-Adhesive Vinyl Tiles are a low cost, easy to install option, they require no specialist tools or expertise and can be fitted with only a measuring tape, a Stanley knife and a straight edge. Like Sheet Vinyl it is best to lay a subfloor before laying these tiles as they are susceptible to the same problems with uneven floors or debris on the floor. Hardboard is again a good material to use as an underlay. When laying these tiles, it is advisable to take care to lay them as tightly to each other as possible without overlapping. If one gets damaged, it can be difficult to remove if the adhesive is strong, but if you are able to lift a single tile easily and replace it, it makes maintenance of the flooring relatively simple.

Self-Adhesive Vinyl Tiles can cost from £10 to £25 per sq. metre

Hard Wood

Wood makes a beautiful, natural floor covering for any house, either traditional or modern. The main reason most people opt for hard wood flooring over soft wood is that it much more durable, as the wood is more dense and as the name suggests, it is harder. It will show scuff marks and dents over time but much less so than soft wood, therefore it will require less maintenance to remove any damage. As with soft wood, it can eventually be sanded and refinished, only less frequently, which means that once laid it will last for many years. It should also be said that there are many more species of hard wood giving a much wider choice of colour and finish than soft wood. Most manufacturers of underfloor heating, which is becoming a very popular choice of heating for many homeowners, would not recommend solid wood for use with their products. They prefer mostly to suggest engineered wood as it is more stable when subjected to changes in floor temperature associated with this form of heating. If wooden floors and underfloor heating is your preferred option then speak to your heating supplier for advice before going ahead.

Hard wood flooring costs anywhere between £60 to £185 per square metre depending of the type of wood and the quality.

Soft Wood

Soft wood in general terms, can be lighter in colour than harder woods. It tends to be less dense than hard wood and therefore it is less hard wearing and more prone to damage. Like hard wood, it can be sanded and refinished if it starts to look less than pristine, although being more prone to damage it may need to be refinished more often. This means that it is generally not so long lasting as its harder alternative, it is however, more environmentally friendly.

Soft wood flooring costs anywhere between £40 to £165 per square metre depending of the type of wood and the quality.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood has been a game changer for wooden flooring, because of its construction. It is made by gluing together sheets of timber, with the grain of these running at 90 degrees to each other and finished with a layer of real wood with your choice of finish. Once laid, engineered wood looks just like real wood but constructed as it is, it will not bow or distort as real wood does, when subjected to temperature changes. This makes it ideal for use with underfloor heating.

Engineered wood flooring prices may vary between £35 and £200 per square metre

Laminate

Laminate replicates the appearance of natural wood in a wide variety of colours and finishes, at a fraction of the price. It is also easy to clean and is less likely to be damaged, which makes it ideal for floors where there are children or pets. It can also be used in areas with levels of high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens, where real wood would be inappropriate.

Laminate flooring prices can vary between £15 and £50 per square metre

Parquet Flooring

Parquet flooring uses smaller strips of wood to create a pattern such as chevrons. It's made from either solid or engineered wood. The most obvious reason for choosing a parquet floor is its appearance. You can achieve a traditional look by opting for dark coloured wood and a traditional configuration or go for a lighter less traditional layout to create a more modern look. Due to the use of smaller pieces of wood, there is little or no cross-grain expansion which increases its durability. Parquet flooring can be made from either solid or engineered wood and although they look similar, engineered floors are tougher, but solid wood floors can last longer.

Parquet flooring prices can vary from £50 to £100 per square metre.

Carpet

As a public area or bathroom floor covering, carpet has fallen out of favour with many homeowners at present, although it is still widely used in bedroom areas. As with all other floorcoverings, it can vary in quality and cost. It is also worth noting that most wool blend carpets will require an underlay which will add to the overall cost. Most carpets can be used effectively with underfloor heating, particularly if the system is fired by a heat pump as opposed to a boiler. A carpet with a thermal resistance of less than 2.5 tog should not have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of underfloor heating. A good quality 80% wool, 20% nylon carpet with a standard underlay will probably only have a thermal resistance of around 2.2 tog.

Carpet prices may vary from £10 to £70 per sq. metre

When choosing your flooring or floor covering, always have a good look at the market and take advice from people who deal with these issues on a regular basis. As with many products or services, it is best to buy what you think is the best value for your money rather than the lowest cost. Look at the life time cost of your flooring rather than just the buying price. If you are having a contractor fit or install your new flooring, check their credentials and insurances and try to get referrals from previous customers.

The prices per square metre mentioned above are for indication only and do not include fitting or installation.

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