10 May What Is The Cost Of Vinyl Flooring? Ultimate Cost Guide
Vinyl flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its durability, water resistance, and wide range of design options. However, they come in many forms; sheets, tiles, and planks, each with unique characteristics and price points. Furthermore, here are different thicknesses, installation methods and brands.
Our complete cost guide will explain how to budget for vinyl flooring considering:
- Different Vinyl Flooring Material Prices
- Different Installation Methods & Costs
- Subfloor Preparation Allowances
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Also known as vinyl plank flooring, LVP is the most common and popular type of vinyl floor. They are constructed from polyvinyl chloride but come in planks resembling hardwood floors. It’s an excellent option for those who want the look of wood without the maintenance.
FloorVenue has over hundreds of vinyl planks to choose from, with thicknesses ranging from 2mm up to 5mm.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Similar to LVP, vinyl tiles mimic the look of natural materials like stone, marble or even polished concrete. However, they are more affordable and easier to maintain than the real stuff. LVT typically has a realistic photographic print coating and a clear protective layer.
We have many ranges of vinyl tile designs in both square and rectangle options.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring
Sold in large rolls and cut to fit the room, sheet vinyl is known for its straightforward installation and suitability for bathrooms and kitchens. Commercial vinyl sheet flooring is very slip-resistant and common in high-traffic areas.
FloorVenue specialises in both residential and commercial vinyl sheet flooring with hundreds of colours in both types.
Hybrid Vinyl Flooring
Also known as SPC or WPC, hybrid flooring is a modern variant of vinyl plank flooring that uses a mix of stone powder or wood fibres to make them more rigid and timber-like, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Hybrid flooring is one of FloorVenue’s main specialties, featuring over a thousand different colours and dozens of ranges to choose from.
Peel & Stick Vinyl Flooring
This type of vinyl floor comes with an adhesive backing that makes installation straightforward and DIY friendly. They can be a quick and easy update to any room, however aren’t recommended for long-term or commercial usage.
They are considered the cheap and nasty of vinyl flooring. For this reason, FloorVenue does not sell peel-and-stick vinyl flooring.
How Much Does Vinyl Flooring Cost?
The cost of vinyl flooring (ignoring installation for now) can vary depending on the type and quality. Likewise, vinyl flooring prices can also vary significantly between different brands and manufacturers even for similar specs, so you must reach out to determine which is the best value for you.
Here’s a breakdown of the average prices per square metre for each type of vinyl flooring:
Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost
Vinyl planks and vinyl tiles typically cost between $30 – $60 per square metre for supply only. The exact price depends largely on product thickness with cheaper options ranging from 2 – 3mm and higher-end products near the 4 – 5mm thickness.
Is there a benefit of a thicker vinyl plank product? Yes, it will feel much more solid underfoot, and more forgiving when the subfloor isn’t perfectly flat (it rarely is).
Vinyl Sheet Flooring Cost
Commercial vinyl sheet floors will be much more expensive than residential vinyl sheets because of the stringent standards required for public use. Hence they will be separated here:
- Residential Vinyl Sheets: You can expect to pay $30 – $50 to buy residential vinyl sheets by the square metre. Usually, these vinyl sheets come in a 4-metre wide roll and can easily cover most rooms around the home without any joins.
- Commercial vinyl sheets: These can cost between $45 – $70 per square metre. They must pass strict requirements for slip resistance, fire ratings and wear and tear resistance. Commercial vinyl rolls are often 2 metres wide.
Hybrid Vinyl Flooring Cost
Similar to vinyl sheet flooring, hybrid vinyl also comes in many shapes and sizes (and prices). Here is a rough idea of how much you can expect to pay for each type:
- Stone Plastic Composite (SPC): The most common type of hybrid flooring is SPC. They can be bought anywhere from $35 – $70 per square metre, depending on thickness, quality and brand.
- Wood Plastic Composite (WPC): Wood plastic variants tend to be slightly less durable as they have an aerated core which makes them less solid or dense. WPC hybrid costs $40 – $45 per square metre.
- Stone Wood Composite (SWC): These have a super robust and commercial-grade surface, much more durable than ordinary SPC or WPC hybrid flooring. You can expect to pay around $45 – $60 per square metre for SWC hybrid flooring.
How Much Does it Cost to Install Vinyl Flooring?
The cost of installing vinyl flooring can vary depending on the complexity of the job and the type of vinyl being installed. On average, you can expect to pay between $30 to $50 per square metre for professional installation, excluding the material cost or subfloor preparation. Some factors that can affect the installation cost include:
- Which Vinyl Flooring Type: Installing residential sheet vinyl may be less expensive than installing luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl planks, or commercial vinyl sheets.
- Removal & Disposal Fees: If there is existing flooring or carpet that needs to be removed, floor layers will charge a removal and disposal cost based on the material type and quantity.
- Subfloor Condition If the subfloor requires extensive levelling, preparation or repair, it can increase the installation cost. We’ll explore more on this later in the article.
- Design & Job Complexity: Intricate patterns like herringbone and chevron designs, or cutting around obstacles can increase the labour cost.
- The location of the job site: Installation costs may vary depending on the region and local labour rates. All of our numbers are based in Sydney & NSW.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Installation Cost
Most flooring companies or flooring installers will charge around $30 – $40 per square metre to install vinyl plank floors or luxury vinyl tiles. The vinyl adhesive (glue) can be an additional cost, amounting to around $5 per square metre depending on the brand and size of the job.
The supply and installation rate of vinyl plank flooring cost is around $65 – $100 per square metre factoring in glue and removing and disposing of existing carpets.
Vinyl Sheet Flooring Installation Cost
Residential vinyl sheet flooring can cost around $30 – $35 per square metre for installation if no glue is required. This is called a loose lay installation where the vinyl sheet is simply cut and fitted to the shape of your room(s). For glue-down residential vinyl sheet flooring, you can expect to pay an additional $5 – $10 per square metre to cover the adhesives and labour costs.
Commercial vinyl sheet flooring will cost around $40 – $50 per square metre as they must be glued down and require special weld rods for joins. Furthermore, express installations and night shift installations for busy shopping centres or stores can cost double, up to $100 per square metre!
Hybrid Vinyl Flooring Installation Cost
Unlike vinyl flooring, hybrid flooring does not require any glue. Instead, they use a click-lock system and are fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, also known as the floating installation method. Whilst this is cheaper at around $25 – $35 per square metre depending on job complexity and location, they have much more stringent subfloor flatness requirements.
If you are hands-on and tool savvy, you can even DIY install hybrid flooring to save lots of money by choosing hybrid flooring!
Cost of Any Vinyl Flooring Subfloor Preparation
Proper subfloor preparation is essential for a successful vinyl flooring installation. The cost of subfloor preparation can vary depending on the condition of the existing floor and the type of subfloor material. Having a flat and even subfloor is paramount as bumps and dips can result in lipping and cupping between planks.
Levelling the subfloor can cost you anywhere between $30 to $100 per square metre depending on the method and subfloor type.
For example, old timber flooring that’s not too uneven can be remedied by installing a masonite or plywood sheet on top before glueing down vinyl flooring. However, a severely uneven subfloor can only be remedied with a self-levelling compound which costs much more in both dollars and time.
It’s important to factor in these subfloor preparation costs when budgeting for your vinyl flooring project to ensure a smooth (no pun intended), and successful installation. We recommend letting our flooring technicians conduct a free on-site inspection to provide the best subfloor solutions when in doubt.
Vinyl Flooring Cleaning & Maintenance
One of the benefits of vinyl flooring is its low maintenance requirements. Regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional damp mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner designed for vinyl floors is usually sufficient to keep it clean and well-maintained.
The amount of headaches avoided by choosing scratch-resistant and waterproof flooring will outweigh any monetary value. After all, how do you put a dollar figure on peace of mind?
If you wish to learn more about cleaning and maintaining vinyl flooring, we have a complete guide.
Quick Comparison: Vinyl Flooring vs Other Flooring Options
Laminate vs Vinyl Floors Cost
Laminate flooring is generally comparable in price to vinyl flooring, with costs ranging from $20 to $70 per square metre for supply only. Vinyl flooring costs more in both material and labour. However, they have an advantage in terms of waterproofing, justifying the higher cost per square.
We have a deep dive into the differences between laminate and vinyl flooring.
Winner: Laminate is more affordable, however vinyl flooring is waterproof.
Hybrid vs Vinyl Floors Cost
Hybrid flooring, which combines the best features of laminate and vinyl, typically costs between $35 to $70 per square metre for supply only, making it slightly more expensive than vinyl flooring on average. However, the cost of installing vinyl plank flooring tends to be higher because you need to glue down the planks.
Overall, hybrid flooring and vinyl flooring are very similarly priced. However, hybrid floors are more likely to require subfloor levelling and could significantly push up the total cost per square metre.
You can learn more about hybrid vs vinyl flooring in our comprehensive guide.
Winner: Vinyl Flooring (Narrowly)
Carpet vs Vinyl Flooring Cost
Some of the most affordable carpets are generally less expensive than vinyl flooring, with costs ranging from $40 to $60 per square metre for the supply and installation. However, if you go for a natural wool carpet, you can expect to pay much more at the $100 – $200 per square metre price point.
If you are on a tight budget, affordable carpets are a great option to save money. This is a very good option if you’re planning on selling or renting out your investment properties.
Keep in mind that carpets are more difficult to maintain than vinyl plank flooring because they are not waterproof and can be harder to clean and maintain.
Winner: Carpet can be much cheaper, however is harder to maintain.
Conclusion – How Much Should You Pay To Install Vinyl Flooring?
In conclusion, vinyl flooring sits on the more affordable spectrum of hard flooring prices, however is not as affordable as carpet. While the initial price of vinyl flooring can vary depending on the type, quality, and installation costs, it is a value-for-money option for excellent durability, water resistance, and design flexibility.
Looking for a vinyl sheet or vinyl plank flooring quote? Don’t hesitate to reach out to FloorVenue, your ultimate hotline! Our expert flooring consultants can assist you in choosing the most suitable flooring for your individual needs. Having installed thousands of floors across Sydney for the last 25 years, we have gathered the best knowledge and advice there is to offer with vinyl planks, other hard flooring, and carpets.
