Why vinyl?

Available in many different styles and colours, vinyl flooring can be adapted to suit almost any interior design plan, meaning that you can ensure that your floor complements your living environment perfectly. Choose from a wide selection of effects, including marble, slate, granite, wood and tile. If your home demands perfection, with vinyl floor you can get it just right.

Vinyl flooring is also increasingly popular because it is good value for money. Unlike other flooring options such as real wooden floors and stone tiles, vinyl comes at a price that will leave you with plenty of design budget to play around with afterwards.

If you like to indulge in a spot of light DIY, and then opting for a vinyl floor gives you the chance to fit your own floors cheaply and conveniently, with minimal fuss and bother. Vinyl is easily cut to size using a normal craft knife, unlike tiles and wooden flooring, which require a little more expertise. A little adhesive can be used to secure the floor in place. Alternatively, you could use the money saved on inexpensive vinyl flooring to hire someone to do the job for you.

Is my home right for vinyl?

Vinyl's versatility means that it can be used in any home, and in almost any room in the house. Bathrooms and kitchens are the obvious places for a water-resistant, easy-to-clean flooring option, but in fact vinyl styles that resemble wood or stone are often used to add a touch of class to living rooms and hallways as well.

Before installing a vinyl floor, you should ensure that your subfloor - the very bottom layer of your floor - is in a good condition, with no dust or debris that could be exaggerated by the vinyl to give a lumpy finish. Ask an expert if your floor is unsound, as if it is, it can be made suitable with a simple concrete or PVA treatment.

If you plan to fit your vinyl floor in a conservatory or a room with underfloor heating, then talk to your supplier to ensure that you select the right variety of vinyl, as not all grades are suitable for all temperature ranges.

Maintaining your vinyl floor

Once your new floor is cut, inserted and fixed, bear in mind a few tips to keep it shipshape. Make sure that spillages and stains get wiped up sooner rather than later; tougher stains can often be tackled with white spirits or ammonia solution, but consult the instructions or your supplier. Because vinyl is tough and hardwearing, it is the perfect floor for an area that is used frequently, or a home with children or animals. With a minimal amount of tender looking care, your sleek new floor will be in mint condition for years to come.