Vinyl Guide

This cost-effective option is easy to maintain and is hard-wearing, even in high traffic areas. Vinyl planks comes in individual pieces which look perhaps surprisingly, very much like timber boards. Perhaps the stand-out feature of the vinyl system is the ability to easily replace vinyl planks in the event of damage. Unlike click-together boards, vinyl planks easily pop out individually to be replaced, as opposed to replacing the entire area of flooring. This along with it’s resilience to water makes it a great option for wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. There are many different types of LVP but the most popular is the thicker “Drop Down Plank”. These planks have great acoustic properties and also have a high quality coating for easy maintenance.

Stone look is a great alternative to the real thing- and warmer to the touch as opposed to the imitation stone tiles and other products. As with the real material, stone vinyl is available in various tones and styles. As the product is printed, a more varied pattern will create greater realism in it’s imitation of the actual material, while a more controlled and consistent pattern will appear neater although further away from real stone.

Warmer Stone (neutrals/ beiges)- Team this back with brown based products such as warm timbers, brown and cream-whites and natural fibres. This will produce a timeless look which is tasteful. While it will work in contemporary settings, it will tend to be a more classic feeling space.
Cooler Stones (whites/ greys)- This stone-look material will work well in more contemporary spaces which can be teamed back with crisper colours such as fresh white and clean materials like stainless steel and blonde timbers. In reality, greys work back with most colours and are quite flexible.

Popularity of polished concrete flooring is rising rapidly and a vinyl imitation version is a good option for those who either don’t want to spend the money involved with the real product or if it is not structurally possible in their homes. Similarly, to stone-look materials, the more variation in design, the more realistic the finish will look. Concrete can have beautiful tone and pattern with aggregates different polishes. It needs to be decided if the flooring will become the feature of the space- a highly patterned look will take centre stage while everything around it should support this, while a softer, more consistent looking concrete will allow for the furniture, rugs and other materials to be more adventurous.

The options for vinyl flooring now are endless, with different colours and styles constantly emerging. Alongside the varying vinyl options is the ability to lay the plank in different and interesting ways. A standard, straight vinyl lay has a timeless and classic feel, but for something unique, we can look back at design history for a spark of inspiration. Herringbone and chevron boards are incredibly sophisticated and elevate the interior design feel. Laying vinyl in a diagonal direction rather than straight, ship decking, block plank or basketweave style can also create interest. There’s also the option to mix styles to zone areas of an open-plan area.

It’s best to consider what you want the visual style of your floor to achieve. Standard planks and angled planks create a feeling of space. Chevron and basketweave are more detailed and work in larger areas while ship decking is perfect for narrow spaces.