Vinyl flooring questions, straight answers

Vinyl plank flooring suits large areas where you do not want an expansion gap every ten metres, and high traffic spaces where a glued down floor stays solid. For some homes a hybrid or a laminate is the better fit, usually smaller residential rooms where a floating floor is quicker to lay and easier to lift later. We will tell you when that is the case rather than talk you into vinyl.

Yes, and the climate is part of why. Quality vinyl is 100% waterproof, scratch and stain resistant, and handles humidity and busy households well. Most Brisbane homes sit on a concrete slab, which is exactly what a glue down floor wants. Laid properly it is one of the most stable floors you can put down here.

Thickness, and how the floor feels rather than whether it works. Timberland 2.5 is the everyday value board: same authentic timber looks, 100% waterproof, the lowest price per square metre we carry. Timberland 4.5 is thicker, with deeper grain, quieter underfoot and more forgiving over small variations in the subfloor. Neither is a compromise. Order a sample of each and stand on them.

For most rooms in a Brisbane home, a quality 2.5mm glue down plank does the job well. Thicker planks are worth it for large open areas, rooms where quiet underfoot matters, or subfloors with minor imperfections. If you are torn, order a sample of each thickness and stand on them in your own home.

Yes, but only with planks made for it. Standard long planks are the wrong proportion for herringbone, so we stock the ArtiFloor Premium Herringbone range, which is cut specifically for the pattern. You get the parquet look without the cost and upkeep of solid timber. Bear in mind that a herringbone lay wastes more at the perimeter than a straight lay, because every cut at a wall is on the diagonal.

This is the everyday case vinyl plank flooring is built for. The wear layer on top is what takes claws, toys and traffic, so compare that number rather than overall thickness: our Timberland 4.5 publishes a 0.5mm wear layer and Resiplank Essence a 0.7mm heavy commercial one. Trim the dog's nails, put felt pads under furniture, and sweep grit regularly, because sand is harder on any floor than paws are.

Yes. Vinyl planks are made from layers of PVC that do not absorb water, so spills sit on the surface instead of soaking in. Water can still work its way between planks or under edges if it is left pooling, so wipe up standing water rather than leaving it overnight.

Glue down with a hard set adhesive is best practice for the ranges we sell, full stop. All vinyl plank flooring is temperature sensitive: it softens in heat and stiffens in the cold, and click together vinyl failed in the Australian market because the joint loses integrity once the plank softens. A hard set glue down locks the board to the subfloor and prevents movement, doming and shrinkage. Pressure sensitive adhesive stops the floor sliding but will not stop a plank doming, so it is not enough on its own.

Over tiles, yes, once the grout lines are filled and the surface is levelled, because vinyl plank flooring eventually conforms to any contour underneath and grout lines will telegraph through. Over floating timber or laminate, remove it first: you cannot bond a glue down floor to something that floats and needs to breathe. Over structural timber that can still breathe from below it is workable, though worth a second thought. Never glue straight onto chipboard or yellow tongue; lay a plywood or masonite overlay first.

It can, and it is a popular choice for Brisbane bathrooms and laundries because the planks themselves handle moisture well. The result comes down to the installation: joints, edges and penetrations need to be sealed properly so water cannot reach the subfloor. That is a job worth giving to an experienced installer.

No, we supply. We focus on getting you the right product and the advice that goes with it, and when you are ready to lay it we can connect you with a trusted local installer in Brisbane who does it properly. Our installation guide explains glue down versus click lock and what to expect from an installer's quote.

Warping is not an issue with modern planks of 1.5m or less, glued down. The real risk from constant intense sun is colour change over time, and that affects every synthetic floor: vinyl, hybrid and laminate alike. The fix is on you as the owner and it is simple. Use blinds, curtains or UV window film to keep the harshest sun off the floor. Supplier warranties expect window coverings in direct sun rooms.

It comes down to the wear layer, the quality of the install and how you treat it. Shoes off inside, felt pads under furniture and a regular sweep do more for the life of your floor than an extra millimetre of core ever will. Compare wear layers rather than total thickness: Timberland 4.5 publishes 0.5mm and Resiplank Essence a 0.7mm heavy commercial layer.

Sweep or vacuum grit regularly, then go over it with a damp, not wet, mop and a pH neutral floor cleaner. Avoid steam mops, abrasive pads and harsh solvents, which can dull or damage the wear layer. That is all the maintenance a vinyl floor needs.

Order online: 1 sample for $15, 2 for $20 or 3 for $25, and the full sample cost is redeemable against your flooring order. We post them to you so you can check the colour and texture in your own rooms and your own light, which photos on a screen never show accurately.

No, and we would rather say that plainly than surprise you at checkout. Samples cost 1 for $15, 2 for $20 or 3 for $25, and every dollar you spend on samples comes off your flooring order when you buy. So if you go ahead with the floor, the samples effectively cost you nothing.

Yes. Every product on this site shows its price and can be ordered online, with orders fulfilled by The Online Flooring Store. If you would rather talk it through first, phone 1300 702 201 and we will help you pick.

No. The prices shown are for the flooring itself. Installation is quoted separately by your installer, and for anything beyond a confident DIY job we recommend using one.

Yes, right across Brisbane and South East Queensland: the CBD and inner suburbs, north, south, east and west, plus Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. The service areas page lists the lot.

Yes. Orders are fulfilled by The Online Flooring Store from their Cleveland QLD warehouse and ship Australia wide. Brisbane is our focus, but your postcode is not a barrier.

It depends on stock and your delivery address, so we do not quote day counts we cannot control. Your delivery timeframe and freight cost are confirmed when you place your order. Samples travel as small parcels; full flooring orders travel as pallet freight.