Floors that are beautifully timbered are not only made from natural wood; other engineered materials can be used to make them too.
Wood-like floors can be installed using a wide range of materials, aside from natural wood. These include laminate vinyl timber effect floors. They come with bonuses you won't get from natural wood. However, synthetic wood-like floors do not have the natural features of original wood.
If you are confused about choosing a floor type, you will be able to make an informed decision after learning the difference between vinyl timber flooring and hardwood floors.
Defining vinyl and laminate timber effect floor?
The process of lumbering (cutting down forest trees) produces hardwood with natural patterns and features. Most of these characteristics are replicated artificially in vinyl and laminate-composite products. Thanks to advanced printing tech, species of luxury natural trees like Blackbutt and Spotted Gum can be replicated in vinyl and laminate to look like the real thing.
Cost of vinyl timber vs cost of natural wood
The price of hardwood and timber floors that are specially engineered is higher than that of vinyl floors. You may have to pay £51 to £95 for a square meter of the natural wood floor - this is the average price. Vinyl floorings can offer some savings.
A square meter of exquisite vinyl timber made from premium quality material will cost between £28 and £40. A square meter of vinyl flooring can be £18.
However, a cheap vinyl may not last long. And these options may not have the aesthetic appeal that comes with premier pricey vinyl floors. Sheet vinyl doesn't cost as much as tile, but the installation cost is high. When the fitting price is considered, the cost margin between vinyl plank and sheet vinyl floors may not be significant. Some factors may influence how much a vinyl floor may be sold for, including texture, design and custom prints.
What is the durability of vinyl floors?
There is the solid and printed type of vinyl floors. They both have features that recommend them.
For solid vinyl floors, the design colour is found throughout the entire area of the floor. But it has one issue. A solid vinyl surface is more susceptible to scratches and stains over time.
The surface is covered with an invisible wear layer for printed vinyl, which keeps it safe. With this protection, printed vinyl lasts longer than the solid version. That said, how long a printed vinyl will last also depends on how thick the layer of protection is. Vinyl wood flooring has a manufacturer warranty of between 20 to 25 years.
If given the right care and maintenance, hardwood floors can last for decades. The resistance of wood flooring to deterioration depends on the wood type. To improve the natural strength of wood floors, the treatment for hardwood floors can be used on them. Damaged hardwood floors can be fixed. The repairs range from topping the floor with another finish or simply fixing the damaged part to bring back the floor's aesthetics.
Vinyl surfaces are usually printed to resemble wood, making it possible for them to carry the appearance of many wood types. What decides the price of vinyl planks is the market. Bear in mind that for vinyl wood floors, the price difference between regular and luxury wood types may not be that much. During installation, paddings can be bonded to vinyl floors to give both the look and feel of a hardwood floor. The extra padding provides more comfort to the feet—improved insulation and energy efficiency result from padding a vinyl wood flooring.
Hardwood floors are different. Many factors can impact the appearance of the wood floor, things like:
- Wood colour
- Wood finish
- Grade
- Cut
- Species
All of these play a role in giving the wood a unique look. Since different trees produce different woods, the wood type used for making the floor can determine the cost of a natural wood floor.
Will vinyl planks resist water action?
Atmospheric air conditions like moisture and humidity cannot penetrate vinyl floors because they are not permeable. A wet mop can be used on vinyl floors for cleaning, but you can't do this on timber floors. Since vinyl floors are resistant to water, wet rooms, bathrooms, basement and laundries are places they can be installed.
You may consider laminate floor too
This is a good alternative to wood-like floors where solid or engineered woods are not an option. Features of laminate floors that makes them suitable are:
- Durability
- Resistant to wetness
- Availability in a plethora of stunning styles, colours, and wood effects
- Less pricey than luxury vinyl planks, sometimes
If you need quality floors made from original woods or an affordable alternative wood-like floor, we have a wide range of great-looking floors produced from different materials. Need to install floors? Reach out to us - we are your reliable carpet fitters in London.
