The Specifier’s Guide
Why premium vinyl tile works.
Written for facility managers, property owners, and homeowners who want to specify a floor properly — not just buy the cheapest option. Compliance, lifecycle, sustainability, and the maintenance reality.
Vs. Alternatives
How it stacks up.
Most commercial projects come down to carpet, timber, concrete, or vinyl. Vinyl wins on what matters: lifecycle cost, maintenance burden, speed of install, and design options.
Carpet: Traps dirt and allergens, needs regular deep cleaning, wears out in 7–10 years. Vinyl just needs mopping and lasts 15–25 years.
Engineered timber:Looks good, but it scratches, doesn't handle moisture well, and costs more. Modern vinyl looks nearly identical and costs a fraction of the price. Plus it won't warp.
Polished concrete: Feels cold and hard underfoot. Vinyl is warmer, quieter, and kinder to joints — important when people are on their feet all day. You can also change the look without ripping up the floor.
Product Types
Three options. Pick the right one.
LVT, VCT, or vinyl plank — each is built for different jobs.
LVT
Luxury Vinyl Tile
- Best for
- Design-led commercial — offices, retail, hospitality, aged care
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Visuals
- Photographic design layer with realistic reproductions
- Cost
- Higher — premium finish and performance
- Format
- Square tiles, 457×457mm or 500×500mm
VCT
Vinyl Composition Tile
- Best for
- High-traffic utility — hospitals, schools, warehouses, corridors
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
- Visuals
- Solid colours and subtle patterns throughout the tile body
- Cost
- Budget-friendly — lowest cost per m²
- Format
- Square tiles, 305×305mm
Vinyl Plank
Wood-Look Planks
- Best for
- Wood-look commercial — coworking, hospitality, residential lobbies
- Lifespan
- 15–20 years
- Visuals
- Realistic timber grain with embossed-in-register textures
- Cost
- Mid-range — strong value for the aesthetic outcome
- Format
- Plank, 185×1220mm or 228×1219mm
Technical
What you need to know.
Wear Layers: 0.3mm to 0.7mm
This is the protective top coat. 0.3mm works for light traffic. 0.55mm is standard for commercial spaces. 0.7mm if you've got heavy traffic or industrial use. We recommend minimum 0.55mm for most Australian projects.
Slip Ratings: R10, R11, R12+
Under AS 4586, these matter for compliance. R10 covers dry interiors. R11 is mandatory where moisture is a factor — kitchens, bathrooms, entry foyers. Some environments need R12. Check with your building certifier.
Acoustic Properties
Many tiles come with acoustic backing that cuts impact noise by up to 19dB — keeps floors quieter and noise from traveling between levels. If acoustics are critical, look for products tested to AS ISO 717-2 with a Delta Lw of 15dB or higher.
Fire Ratings: Bfl-s1 and Cfl-s1
Cfl-s1 is fine for most commercial areas — offices, retail, healthcare. Bfl-s1 is required for escape routes and corridors. Always check with your building certifier on what your project needs.
Sustainability
Made better now.
Most major manufacturers now include up to 30% recycled content. Many carry FloorScore certification for low VOC — essential if you're chasing Green Star or WELL.
Cradle to Cradle certified options are expanding. They demonstrate commitment to material health, renewable energy, water stewardship, and fair practices.
Need a PVC-free option entirely? Two alternatives carry the same supply-and-install model: Comcork (Australian cork & rubber composite) and Nora by Interface (German-engineered rubber). See our sustainable alternatives page for both.
Lifecycle Cost
The real number.
Installation runs a guide of $30–35/m²for laying premium LVT — install only, before floor preparation, takeup, levelling, or trims. Product cost sits on top and varies by range. Over a 15–25 year life, the annualised cost is genuinely low.
Compared to alternatives, carpet costs 40–60% more over 20 years once you factor in replacement and maintenance. Engineered timber demands ongoing sanding and refinishing. Vinyl gives you the visual at a fraction of the lifecycle cost.
Every quote we issue follows a free site inspection in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. We do not give phone quotes or “from $X” numbers we walk back later.
FAQ
Common questions.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) has multiple layers with a photographic top and a protective wear layer — it looks like real stone or timber. VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile) is solid throughout, made from vinyl, limestone, and plasticiser. Use LVT when the look matters — reception areas, retail, aged care. Use VCT when you need maximum durability on a tighter budget and you don't mind solid colours — hospitals, schools, warehouses. The bonus? VCT can be stripped and re-polished, so it'll often last well past 20 years.
Typically 15 to 25 years with proper installation and basic maintenance. VCT lasts longer — often exceeds 25 years if you keep up with stripping and polishing. LVT and vinyl plank depend mainly on the wear layer (we recommend minimum 0.55mm) and how well the subfloor was prepared. So really, longevity comes down to three things: decent thickness, solid prep work, and following the maintenance schedule.
It's the default choice in Australian aged care and healthcare. It's hygienic — especially when heat-welded, which prevents bacteria and moisture getting into joints. Slip ratings of R10 or higher are standard, which matters in wet areas and corridors. And if acoustic properties matter to you (quieter is better for residents), many products have backing that cuts impact noise by up to 19dB.
This is non-negotiable. The subfloor has to be structurally sound, dry, clean, and level. For concrete, we test moisture levels to AS 1884 — relative humidity needs to sit below 75% RH. If it's higher, we apply a moisture barrier. The surface gets cleaned of cracks, ridges, and dirt, then usually levelled with a cementitious compound to meet the manufacturer's flatness tolerances. Skip this step and you're asking for trouble.
Sometimes. If the old vinyl is firmly bonded, undamaged, and clean, we can install over it. But we'll assess moisture, adhesion, and flatness first — that's non-negotiable. Installing over carpet, deep-grouted ceramic, or damaged floors? No. We'll always recommend a proper site assessment before we commit to anything.
LVT and vinyl plank are easy — dry mop daily, damp mop occasionally with neutral pH cleaner. Most LVT has a protective polyurethane layer already on it, so no wax or polish needed. VCT needs more attention: sweep daily, damp mop regularly, and re-polish every 6 to 12 months depending on traffic. But that's also why VCT lasts so long.
The tiles themselves are waterproof. Water won't get through the material. But installation method matters. Glue-down with heat-welded seams is your best bet for wet areas — solid protection. Click-lock floating floors are water-resistant but not completely sealed at the joints, so they're better for dry zones.
The National Construction Code (NCC) sets the rules. For most projects — offices, retail, healthcare — Cfl-s1 meets requirements. Escape routes and high-risk areas usually need Bfl-s1. Always check with your building certifier before specifying; they'll tell you exactly what your project needs.
Ready to specify a floor properly?
Book a free site inspection in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane. We will measure, assess the substrate, and walk you through specification, lifecycle, and a written quote. Call 1300 207 915 or fill out the form.