A Guide from Crown Carpets Flooring Fitters in Cornwall on LVT vs Vinyl
We’re asked this almost every week in our showroom in Par, ‘What’s the difference between LVT and vinyl flooring, and which one is right for my home?’ Both products are waterproof, durable, and far more practical than wood or stone in kitchens and bathrooms. But after over 45 years supplying and fitting floors across Cornwall and Devon, from St Ives to Saltash, Bodmin to Bude, the differences really do matter.
Quick Answer:
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiling) is the premium option — thicker, more realistic, longer-lasting, and better suited to living spaces and commercial use. Standard vinyl flooring is the budget-friendly choice, ideal for utility rooms, bathrooms, and rental properties where cost per m² is the priority.
Standard Vinyl Flooring
Also called sheet vinyl, cushion floor, or lino. Made from PVC layers with a printed design and protective wear layer. Comes in 2m, 3m or 4m rolls for seamless coverage.
Best for Bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms, cloakrooms, budget rental properties
Typical cost: £5–£25/m²
Lifespan: 8–15 years
LVT — Luxury Vinyl Tiling
Multiple compressed vinyl layers producing a rigid, realistic product. Available as click-lock or glue-down planks/tiles. Uses HD photography and registered embossing to mimic real wood, slate, or stone.
Best for Living rooms, hallways, open-plan spaces, holiday lets, commercial
Typical cost: £20–£55+/m²
Lifespan: 15–25+ years
Full Comparison: LVT vs Vinyl Flooring
| Feature | Standard Vinyl | LVT |
| Thickness | 2–4mm | 2–6mm |
| Wear Layer | 0.1–0.3mm | 0.3–1.0mm+ |
| Cost per m² | £5–£25 | £20–£55+ |
| Lifespan | 8–15 years | 15–25+ years |
| Appearance | Good | Highly Realistic |
| Waterproof | ✓ (seamless) | ✓ (with sealing) |
| Repairability | Full sheet only | Individual tile/plank |
| Underfloor Heating | Limited | Excellent (up to 27°C) |
| Best For | Bathrooms, utility, budget lets | Living rooms, hallways, holiday lets, commercial |
Why This Matters in Cornwall
Cornwall’s mild, damp maritime climate and prevalence of older stone-built, cob, and granite properties make flooring choice more important than many guides acknowledge. Key considerations for LVT flooring Cornwall and vinyl flooring Cornwall:
- Coastal humidity: Both products handle ambient moisture well, but older properties may need damp-proof membrane installation before fitting — a standard part of our preparation process.
- Cold stone floors: LVT over underfloor heating (compatible up to 27°C subfloor surface temperature) is an increasingly popular choice in kitchen extensions and barn conversions across the county.
- Holiday lets: Cornwall has one of the UK’s highest concentrations of holiday let properties. LVT with a 0.5mm+ wear layer is our consistent recommendation — durable, realistic, photographically appealing, and repairable at the individual tile level.
- Coastal abrasion: Beach properties benefit significantly from LVT’s thicker wear layer — fine sand is highly abrasive, and the difference in surface longevity is measurable over time.
Wear Layer Guide
| Product | Wear Layer | Suitable For |
| Standard vinyl | 0.1–0.3mm | Low-traffic utility/bathroom |
| Entry-level LVT | 0.3mm | Light domestic use |
| Mid-range LVT | 0.5mm | Heavy domestic & light commercial |
| Commercial LVT | 0.7–1.0mm+ | Heavy commercial environments |
Room-by-Room Recommendations & FAQs
| Room | Recommendation | Key Reason |
| Kitchens | LVT for open-plan; vinyl for budget standalone | Seamless waterproofing vs. design continuity |
| Bathrooms | Vinyl for budget; LVT for spec/holiday lets | Seamless sheet vs. realistic appearance & UFH |
| Hallways | LVT (almost always) | Thicker wear layer handles max foot traffic |
| Living Rooms | LVT | Realistic aesthetics & scratch resistance |
| Holiday Lets | LVT 0.5mm+ wear layer | Durability, repairability, listing photography |
| Commercial | LVT 0.55mm+ glue-down | 20+ year lifespan under daily heavy use |
| Utility Rooms | Vinyl | Practical, budget-friendly, functional |
Installation: Click-Lock vs Glue-Down LVT
| Click-Lock LVT | Glue-Down LVT |
| Planks/tiles lock together — no adhesive. Faster to install and lift if needed. Requires subfloor flat to within 3mm over 1.8m. | Adhered directly to prepared subfloor. More stable, permanent result. Our preferred method for high-traffic and commercial spaces. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can LVT be fitted over existing vinyl flooring in Cornwall homes?
In some cases yes — particularly glue-down LVT over a single, well-adhered, flat layer. However, our standard recommendation is to remove the old covering first. Multiple layers create instability, and any unevenness telegraphs through to the finished floor. The cost of proper removal and subfloor preparation is always recovered in longevity.
Is LVT suitable for underfloor heating?
Yes — and it’s a combination we install regularly across Cornwall. Quality LVT is compatible with water-fed UFH systems at subfloor surface temperatures up to 27°C. Particularly popular in kitchen extensions and barn conversions. We check compatibility at the survey stage of every project.
How do I maintain LVT and vinyl flooring?
Both are low maintenance. Regular sweeping or vacuuming removes grit (the primary cause of surface wear). Occasional damp mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner is all that’s needed. Avoid steam mops — heat damages the wear layer and can soften LVT adhesive bonds. Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent denting.
Which is better for a Cornwall holiday let — LVT or vinyl?
LVT in almost every case. Durability under high guest turnover, realistic appearance for listing photography, waterproof and stain-resistant surface, and individual tile repairability all combine to make LVT the smarter long-term investment. The additional upfront cost is recovered through reduced replacement frequency and better guest reviews.
How long does fitting take?
A standard bathroom or kitchen (up to around 12m²) including subfloor preparation typically takes a full working day. Larger or more complex areas take proportionally longer. We provide a clear timeline as part of our free survey and quotation process.
Our Suggestion is
| Choose LVT if… | Choose Vinyl if… |
| You want a floor that looks genuinely premium, lasts 20+ years, and handles family life or commercial use. Ideal for: living rooms, hallways, open-plan spaces, holiday lets, any room where the floor contributes to the design. | You’re working to a tight budget and need a cost-effective solution for a utility area, bathroom, or rental property. Vinyl sheet — especially cushion floor — is a proven, reliable product we install confidently. |
Important: The difference between a floor that looks great for 20 years and one that fails within 3 is not the product price — it’s the quality of subfloor preparation and the skill of installation. Both LVT and vinyl need to be properly prepared and fitted to reach their full potential lifespan.
Why Choose Crown Carpets for LVT & Vinyl Flooring in Cornwall?
- Over 45 years of experience supplying and fitting floors across Cornwall and Devon
- Family-run business based in Par — not a national chain, but a local team who know Cornwall’s properties inside out
- Free, no-obligation home visits across the whole of Cornwall — we come to you with samples and honest advice
- Wide range of LVT and vinyl flooring to suit every budget, style, and application
- Fully guaranteed installations — we stand behind everything we fit
- Specialist knowledge of Cornwall’s unique property stock, from granite Cornish cottages to modern coastal developments
Book Your Free Home Visit Across Cornwall
01726 813897 | crown-carpets.com/contact-us/
Crown Carpets, part of the Carpet Foundation.
