Vinyl Plank Guide

All you need to know about vinyl plank flooring. Most manufacturers use cutting-edge print technology to produce beautiful floors with realistic-looking designs that replicate woods, stones and other natural materials.

Overview

Amazing Realism

Most manufacturers use cutting-edge print technology to produce beautiful floors with realistic-looking designs that replicate woods, stones and other natural materials.

Superior Stain Protection

Most vinyl floors carry a protective coating which offers the best stain protection. In premium collections of vinyl floors, you can now get coatings with Antimicrobial Protection which guards against stain and odor-causing bacteria on the surface.

Construction

In general vinyl structures are designed to meet specific performance and installation needs. Choose the one that’s right for your lifestyle, décor and budget.

• Multiple texture and surface technologies offers 3D visuals along with fiberglass and protection wear layers that can provide exceptional durability and superior stain protection.
• Some brands offer a Uniclic or similar features to help you with installation.
• Some brands may offer fiberglass construction which have a cushion core for added comfort underfoot.
• Construction can include up to 70% stone content in the base layer that holds the floor down and adds durability.
• Traditional Felt offers best-in-class stain protection combined with protection layers and similar systems for durability.

Design

Color

You’ll be delighted with your color options in vinyl flooring. Choose among a wide range of colors from white and black to varying shades of beige, red, brown, green, blue, gray and many more. Or just go with a single color for an uninterrupted visual effect. The newest vinyl floors have improved color clarity and improved embossing (deeper grouts) for a high definition appearance.

Look

With modern techniques in design and print technology, our newest vinyl floors look as real as the natural materials that inspired them. That means stones look and feel like stones and woods look and feel like real woods. Leathers, ceramics, slates, whatever the origin, these vinyl floors all have an incredibly natural feel you will love.

Texture

You’ll discover true-to-life textures with many of the higher end, realistic-looking floors.

Lifestyle

Room

Versatile vinyl plank flooring is great for any room in the house. You can install it on any level of the home—above, on or below ground. It’s an especially good choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens and playrooms, or wet areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Vinyl plank is not meant for stairs, but for flat, level surfaces.

Kids, Pets and Durability

Vinyl plank is softer underfoot than other hard-surface flooring options, making it easier to stand on for long periods of time. It's also forgiving of dropped objects that might dent other types of flooring. This resilient flooring resists scratches and stains in normal household use, so it's perfect for a busy household with children and pets.

Warranty

Vinyl plank floors often come with warranty options beginning at 5 years and extending to a lifetime, based on the specific product you choose.  Some of the vinyl floors even come with a limited light commercial warranty.

Floor Care

Caring for a vinyl plank floor couldn’t be simpler. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a suitable floor cleaner will keep your floor looking beautiful.

Budget

Product Cost

Vinyl plank is available at price points to fit any budget. Generally vinyl plank flooring costs are very low in comparison to hardwood or other flooring types. Costs can vary based on the overall thickness of the product and the thickness of the wear layer. The least costly wear layer offers basic protection while enhanced urethane is slightly more expensive, but offers greater scratch and stain protection.

Design Quality

Expect to pay more for better quality printing, more realistic designs and embossed textures. Embossed designs that replicate the look and feel of the natural material will cost more than a simple, non-embossed design.

Installation Cost

Generally, vinyl plank installation costs are more economical than other floor categories, between AU$20.00 and AU$30.00 sq/m. Costs can vary based on geography (labor rates) as well as subfloor preparation needs.

Floor Removal Cost

Don’t forget to factor-in the cost of removing and disposing of your old floor.  Depending upon where you live, the floor you are removing and your installer, budget around AU$25.00 per square metre to have it removed and hauled away but it can be more or less depending on the floor type and labour costs in your area.

Installation

Installation Options

The installation options available will vary based on the construction of the vinyl flooring you choose. There are three types of installation methods for our new vinyl plank flooring products:

Modified loose lay (where the vinyl is cut in place and held down in heavy traffic areas with double-sided tape)
Glue-down with releasable adhesive
Glue-down with permanent adhesive

Whatever type of vinyl flooring you choose, we highly recommend professional installation using our "Find an Installer" feature.

Installation Considerations

Vinyl plank can install over almost any existing floor type, provided it is smooth, flat and dry. If you are thinking about a DIY vinyl plank installation, read the installation instructions carefully before beginning and know that vinyl is bulky, heavy and awkward to work with and cutting it perfectly to the size for your room can be difficult for even the most experienced DIYer.  Look out for laminate that come with a lockedge system like Uniclic™.  Lockedge systems make it easier to install and mean you don't have to use glue to bind them together.

Find an Installer Feature

No one provides more depth and breadth of knowledge and installation experience with products than an Installer. We recommend that you use our "Find an installer" feature to find a qualified installer to provide you with an accurate installation estimate.

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