How to clean vinyl floors

This is a term that will come up when shopping for vinyl flooring and can be quite confusing at first. To put it simply, the wear layer is a clear top surface that provides durability, stain and scratch resistance for vinyl flooring.

In order to decide which is the right wear layer for you, you'll need to determine the usage of the flooring beforehand. If you have children, pets, or there's a lot of foot traffic in your home, you should consider a thicker wear layer to ensure you can enjoy your new flooring's design for many years to come.

One of the many benefits of vinyl flooring is that it's extremely easy to take care of. Its hard-wearing nature means that vinyl flooring can withstand the daily demands of family life and high footfall areas without compromising on style. Simply sweep or vacuum your vinyl flooring every evening and wipe up any potential spills right away, and occasionally clean with a damp (not sodden) mop and a mild detergent to keep it looking as good as new.

We have outlined multiple steps you can take to care for your vinyl flooring and what solutions you can use on your vinyl in our Tapi Vinyl Care Guide.

The thickness of our vinyls ranges from 2mm to 4.3mm, so it's thicker than laminate or LVT but much thinner than carpet. However, the thickness of the wear layer is more important than the total thickness. A thicker vinyl will be more cushioned underfoot as there's more air inside but if it's in a high traffic area, it will compress over time, so a thinner vinyl with a thicker wear layer would be the more hardwearing option.

Thankfully, our vinyl products have a wear layer that protects the flooring from scratches. If you have a particularly rambunctious dog (think large and easily excited) then you’ll want to get the thickest wear layer option.

While vinyl products do have a wear layer, no vinyl product is 100% scratch proof and over time, scratches may occur. If you’re confused about the right choice for your home, please get in touch.

Luckily, vinyl is one of the most easy to clean flooring types, so there's no need to panic! However, the quicker you act, the less chance there is of it staining. In our Tapi Floor Care Guide, there's something in there to help you. You should have received this when you placed an order, or you can download a copy here.

Unfortunately, we don’t do flooring repairs. Whilst the fitters can repair some subfloor issues,they can't help with aesthetic flooring repairs.

Our care guide can help you rectify most household stains on your vinyl that might seem beyond repair - you can download it here. For more major repairs, you might want to check your home insurance policy to see if these repairs are covered under accidental damage.

Vinyl flooring is a water-resistant, flexible floor covering made from different layers of synthetic materials, backed with either felt or foam. Available in a range of thicknesses and designs, it offers comfort underfoot as well as a bit of personality for your floor! Using the latest printing technology and embossing techniques, vinyl can provide the authentic look and feel of a tiled or wooden floor at a fraction of the price and with far less maintenance. If you're looking for art deco tiles, black and white Victorian tiles, colourful Moroccan mosaic tiles, or a much simpler stone or wooden floor effect, vinyl is the more versatile and affordable option. 

Aside from the cost factor, there are many other benefits to choosing vinyl flooring: it's quick to install, hard wearing, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Vinyl flooring features a wear and tear layer - a clear protective coating that goes on top of the design, which is stain-resistant, water-resistant, and slip-resistant, making it the perfect flooring choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Take a look at our full range of vinyl flooring online or talk to one of our flooring experts in-store.

Vinyl flooring can be fitted in two ways: loose lay or fully stuck. The type of vinyl and the type and size of the room will dictate which fitting method you use. Foam-backed vinyl can be loose laid up to 12sqm and felt-backed vinyl over 12sqm, depending on the quality. The best thing about fitting vinyl flooring is that it doesn't need underlay; instead, you spray adhesive around the edges of the vinyl (loose lay) or use spread adhesive on the subfloor itself (fully stuck) to fix it into place. One can of spray adhesive covers approximately 10sqm.

Prior to fitting, it's best to leave your roll of vinyl indoors where it can adapt to the room temperature before being unrolled. We can arrange fitting if you need us to - just request this service when you place your order.

Whilst pretty similar in appearance, the difference between lino flooring and vinyl is in the way they are made. Vinyl sheet flooring is made in layers using more modern production methods and more robust materials. Linoleum is made from a mixture of renewable materials and the design is embedded throughout - a bit like a stick of rock - so the pattern may disappear or fade in heavy traffic areas. Lino isn't completely water-resistant and will start to curl up at the edges if it comes into contact with any water.

Both vinyl and lino are a hardwearing and affordable flooring choice, but vinyl is the better option because of its range of designs, water-resistance, flexibility, and durability. Take a look at our vinyl flooring at your nearest store or explore the range online.

We stock a huge range of vinyl designs, from simple grey and white vinyl, to incredibly detailed patterns like marble, art deco, and vintage ceramic tiles. Our vinyl flooring prices start from £18.99m², while our top of the range, luxury embossed vinyl with a thick felt backing for extra comfort is £27.99m². So, based on a 3x3m room and a £18.99 vinyl plus £60.75 for fitting, the total cost of a new vinyl floor would be less than £235, which also includes spray adhesive for a perimeter fix and a door bar.

Our flooring experts will be able to talk you through all the costs involved in buying and installing vinyl flooring when you visit us in store or book a home visit, but there's also a handy vinyl flooring cost calculator on all of our vinyl product pages to give you an estimate of how much your floor will cost (excluding fitting).

Preparing your subfloor is key to getting the best performance out of your new vinyl flooring. Before vinyl can be laid, you need to make sure your subfloor is dry, smooth, structurally sound, and free from debris. Take a look at our guide on how to prepare your subfloor for more info.

If you're not sure of the condition of your subfloor, we can assess it for you during a home visit or when we do our measurement checks. If it turns out your subfloor needs repairing or replacing, we can provide you with a quote, and arrange this additional service with independent fitters if you’re happy to go ahead.