Hardwood is one of the most popular forms
of flooring in the UK – it looks absolutely fantastic, lasts for years and many suitable woods are available that will suit a home. However it does come with its downsides – it is expensive to obtain, and usually requires considerable maintenance over its lifespan to keep its looks. There is also the potential for water damage, staining or worse. Not much of an issue if you spill a glass of water, but seriously problematic if you get a burst pipe or leaky roof tile while on holiday.
That’s why so many people who want the look of wooden floors turn instead to vinyl plank flooring. It comes with numerous advantages over the real thing from which, on a good day, the more expensive brands are virtually indistinct.
It tends to be far more durable than actual hardwood. You can get a range of treatments that maximise its lifespan. With a double urethane coating comes effective protection from both stains and scuffs, meaning a lot less time spent on the knees scrubbing marks off. You can also get mildew inhibitors, perfect for homes on the coast or older houses which can often see a lot of damp, and uv-resistance to prevent your floor losing its colour where it is exposed to direct sunlight.
Another nice feature of vinyl planks is that you can paint them, so if you decide you want a darker shade after a while, or you want a white planking effect which is particularly attention-grabbing, this can be done again far less expensively than if you were using real wood.
Wooden flooring has traditionally tended to be the preserve of residential buildings given it’s not ideal for areas of high traffic. But you can get quite thick vinyl planks that can be used in commercial spaces and because it’s relatively inexpensive to replace a worn out plank, this can be a good way to give an office a unique look.
