How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Cost?

How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Cost?

If you are confident with your DIY capabilities, laying vinyl flooring is certainly something you can do yourself. Therefore, if you want to reduce the cost of vinyl flooring, this may be something you want to consider and below we show you the steps involved to install it.

What Affects The Cost of Vinyl Flooring?

Several factors impact the cost when deciding between the type of vinyl flooring and the professionals that you wish to install it for you.

The first and most impactful factor is the quality and type of vinyl. As discussed above, LVT costs considerably more than a standard vinyl floor. However, although it’s more expensive, it’s higher quality and in the long run, it’ll be more long-lasting.

The size and shape of the room in which the vinyl floor is to be installed will also affect the cost. For example, larger rooms will require more vinyl floors but if the room requires lots of cuts to the vinyl, it makes the installation more complex, which means it’ll cost more.

As well as being more expensive to purchase, if you decide to opt for a herringbone style as opposed to straight planks, it’ll be more expensive to install. This is because they come in smaller strips that take longer to lay than the standard straight vinyl planks.

Finally, your location will also make an impact on the cost of vinyl flooring. This is because purchasing the vinyl as well as labour rates for a professional to install it varies throughout the UK. For example, busy cities such as London will be more expensive (particularly for labour) than other rural areas.

Types of Vinyl Floor

• Sheet Vinyl: Typically comes in large rolls (6 or 12 feet wide) and is often used in commercial or residential spaces because it can be installed quickly and easily in one seamless piece.
• Vinyl Tiles: Individual squares of vinyl flooring that can be installed together to create a custom pattern or design. They are often used in bathrooms, kitchens and other high-traffic areas.
• Vinyl Planks: Long, thin strips of vinyl that resemble hardwood flooring. They are designed to be installed together in a tongue-and-groove style to create a seamless look.
• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT): High-end version of vinyl flooring (as discussed above).
• Sticky Tiles: A type of self-adhesive vinyl flooring that can be easily installed without any adhesive. They are often used in small spaces such as a laundry room or bathroom.

Herringbone or Straight?

Straight and herringbone are two types of patterns to which you can lay the vinyl floor and each pattern has its own benefits.

Installing vinyl in a herringbone pattern involves laying each plank at a 45-degree angle. This has the effect of making the room look more interesting as well as adding depth and texture. Laying vinyl floor in a standard straight pattern on the other hand is far simpler to achieve and it works well in many settings.

With regards to which is best, it’s a matter of personal preference. However, it’s worth pointing out that herringbone will cost more to buy and install.

Below is an example of one of our properties where we integrated both patterns by laying herringbone vinyl in the hallway and straight vinyl in the office.

How To Install Vinyl Flooring

Depending upon the type and style of vinyl flooring you choose will determine the exact method of installation. However, for a standard plank style of vinyl flooring that uses adhesive for laying them to the subfloor, below are the steps a professional would take:

1. Preparation

• Clean and level the subfloor to ensure it’s free of debris, dust and any protrusions
• If necessary, repair any cracks or holes in the subfloor

2. Measurements & Cutting

• Measure the length and width of the room to determine how much vinyl flooring is needed
• Cut the vinyl flooring to the appropriate size, taking into account any doorways or other obstacles
• If installing vinyl tiles or planks, stagger the cuts to create a more natural look

3. Apply Adhesive

• If using adhesive, spread it evenly over the subfloor and use the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended coverage area and drying time

4. Lay The Vinyl Flooring

• Begin laying the vinyl flooring at one corner of the room and working your way out
• If using sheets, roll out the vinyl and cut it to size
• If using tiles or planks, stagger the pieces to create a natural look and make sure that you leave enough space for expansion
• Use a rolling pin or heavy object to press down on the vinyl flooring and ensure it’s properly bonded to the subfloor

5. Trim & Seal The Edges

• Use a utility knife to trim any excess vinyl flooring along the edges of the room
• Seal the edges with a vinyl cove base or trim pieces to create a finished look

Vinyl Floor Installation – Before & After

During a recent property renovation, we installed Karndean Flooring (a type of LVT) and below are the before and after results.

As you can see, it made a huge difference to the look and feel of the room and because it’s an LVT, it should be long-lasting too.

Are There Any Drawbacks?

Vinyl is a popular type of flooring material to use but it does have some drawbacks such as:

• Not as durable as hardwood or ceramic tiles
• Certain vinyl floor materials can emit VOC
• Not as eco-friendly because it’s difficult to recycle
• If poor quality vinyl is used, it can look “cheap”

However, as long as you use quality vinyl flooring, most of the drawbacks don’t necessarily apply. Therefore, if possible, spending slightly extra on the vinyl flooring itself is certainly a worthwhile investment.

Conclusion

Vinyl is a cost-effective flooring option that’s easy to maintain and available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Hopefully our guide on how much it costs to buy and install has answered all your questions but if not, feel free to get in touch and we will try to help out where possible.