Vinyl planks have been around even longer than laminate, originally available as sheet vinyl,vinyl tiles, and ultra-thin planks. The first thicker (4.5mm) vinyl planks were introduced in (insert date) as a DIY loose-lay option with no glue, designed to be removed when moving houses. However, this method failed, and now all vinyl planks are glued down.

Despite this, many people still associate thicker planks with better quality, but the preparation
required remains the same as for thinner ones. Vinyl is a softer material, so imperfections in the
subfloor can become visible over time, especially in hot temperatures when the planks soften.

Pros:
● Comfortable underfoot
● Easy to replace damaged planks within minutes
● The real water-resistant but more waterproof than any other product.

Cons:
● Scratches easier than laminate
● Can gap over time if not installed correctly
● Soft material may show subfloor imperfections       over time

Originally, thicker planks (4.5mm–5mm) were designed for loose-lay installation without glue. However, this method didn’t work in larger areas as the planks would move and develop gaps. While they can work in small rooms (up to 9m²), a whole house requires glued-down installation.

When choosing vinyl planks, focus on style and pattern repeat rather than thickness. Thickness mainly affects acoustic properties and provides a slightly softer feel underfoot but doesn’t indicate better durability.

Engineered timber flooring is constructed with a real hardwood layer (ranging from 1mm to 6mm) atop a plywood or composite core. This construction method results in greater dimensional stability, making it more resistant to expansion and contraction caused by fluctuations in humidity and temperature than solid hardwood flooring.

Pros:

● Real Hardwood Layer
● Dimensionally Stable
● Resistant to Expansion and Contraction
● Can be re-sanded (depending on thickness and bevel)
● Cheaper than solid timber flooring

Cons:

● Re-sanding limitations with coloured timber and bevels
● Thinner veneers cannot be re-sanded
● More expensive than vinyl or laminate

Whether your floor can be re-sanded depends on a few factors. If your floor has a bevel or microbevel, and how deep it is, will affect whether it can be re-sanded. Keep in mind that if you sand down a coloured timber, like grey, it will revert to its natural, raw colour, for example raw oak. Depending on the bevel, some of the existing colour may remain and be difficult to remove completely unless you sand very deeply. Additionally, thinner veneers, such as those under 3mm, cannot be re-sanded.

There are two installation methods: floating and fully bonded. The floating method requires no glue on the joins for click systems. However, tongue and groove systems require a cross-link PVA glue. It is important to use cross-link PVA glue, not normal PVA glue, as normal PVA glue crystallizes over time and causes squeaking and cracking. Cross-link PVA glue remains flexible and, under a microscope, resembles a cobweb PVA glue. It is important to use cross-link PVA glue, not normal PVA glue, as normal PVA glue crystallizes over time and causes squeaking and cracking. Cross-link PVA glue remains flexible and, under a microscope, resembles a cobweb.

Hybrid flooring has seen changes in thickness and click systems. The 2G all-edges system, while trickier to install, is currently the most reliable and secure option. Limestone, due to its silica content, is being phased out by many manufacturers, as silica dust can be harmful when inhaled. However, hybrid flooring only requires a knife for cutting, minimizing dust exposure.

It is recommended to use hybrid flooring with a thickness of 8mm or less, as thicker options become too rigid and require a perfectly level subfloor.

Pros:

● Easy to cut (knife and tapping block)
● Water-resistant top layer
● Easy installation
● No glue required

Cons:

● Not waterproof (only water-resistant)
● Susceptible to cupping or bowing in damp subfloors
● Expansion joints needed for large areas
● Requires a fairly flat subfloor

Returns for excess flooring depend on the product and supplier. Some manufacturers accept returns of unopened boxes, while others do not. If returns are allowed, restocking fees will apply.

Before purchasing, we recommend confirming the return policy for your specific flooring type. If returns aren’t possible, keeping spare boxes can be useful for future repairs or replacements.

It depends on the type of flooring. Vinyl and hybrid flooring are not ideal for garages because they can be affected by rubber from car tires, which can cause yellowing over time. Additionally, the click-lock system on hybrid flooring is not designed to withstand the weight of a vehicle and may break.

For garage flooring, carpet tiles are the best option. They are durable, easy to replace if damaged, and can handle the weight and movement of vehicles better than other flooring types

Flooring types that CAN be installed over ceramic tiles, given the conditions below are met:

● Engineered timber (bonded or floating)
● Laminate
● Hybrid (only if grout lines are not deep and grout is no wider than 5mm) Flooring types that CANNOT be installed over ceramic tiles:
● Vinyl planks
Conditions of the ceramic tiles for new flooring to be installed over them:
● Tiles must be laid flat with no lips or edges
● Grout lines must not be deep, and grout must be no wider than 5mm (for hybrid flooring
only)

Additional Considerations:
● Leveling: Vinyl plank flooring requires a fully leveled subfloor; there are no exceptions.
● Ceiling Height: Always be mindful of ceiling height after installation. You may need to remove the tiles if the ceiling becomes too low.

Ensuring a level subfloor is crucial for any flooring installation and requires significant experience. This foundational step is best left to professionals. If your floor is uneven, we strongly recommend contacting a professional installer. You can find recommended installers in your area using our installer drop-down menu.

No problem, we can create a video for you. Please contact us by phone or email, and we can either film the video at your location (if you’re not too far away) or at our warehouse and upload it.

📞 Have Questions About Flooring? We’re Here to Help!
If you have any questions or concerns, our friendly team is just a call or click away.

• Phone: 0414 166 556

• Email: hello@floorsbyyou.com.au

• Website: floorsbyyou.com.au