FEATURE


VINYL DECISION


Speed is redefining the flooring equation, explains Mordor Intelligence with key findings from their latest market report.


Vinyl’s rise reflects a broader shift in UK construction toward materials that balance time, cost, and compliance, but not without trade-offs.


By 2026, the conversation around flooring in the UK has shifted. What was once a matter of aesthetics has become a decision about timelines and operating margins.


For contractors, every additional day on-site eats into profits. For clients, including the healthcare, hospitality, commercial and retail sectors, every hour of downtime is lost business. This pressure is transforming flooring from a design consideration into an operational variable.


Among the materials reshaping that equation, vinyl flooring has emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories, supported by advances in click-lock and peel-and-stick systems that can reduce installation time by up to 70% compared with traditional hardwood or tile.


Yet, the trend is not a story of replacement, but of realignment. Each material now finds its place within a market defined by speed, adaptability, and sustainability. Speed is no longer a convenience; it has become a metric of competitiveness.


THE EFFICIENCY DIVIDEND: TIME, LABOUR, AND COST


In an environment where labour shortages and tight delivery windows define project feasibility, efficiency has become a differentiator.


Vinyl’s modular systems allow installation over existing subfloors, limiting disruption, reducing labour needs, and enabling faster revenue recovery after renovations.


According to Mordor Intelligence’s United Kingdom Flooring Market Report, the resilient flooring segment, led by vinyl, is projected to grow at a 6.1% CAGR (2025–2030), compared with 3.7% for the overall flooring market.


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This performance is largely driven by: • Demand for fast-track refurbishments in healthcare and retail environments.


• Lower installation costs, often 20–30% below traditional materials.


• Evolving sustainability frameworks under BREEAM and BRE certification.


While traditional flooring still leads in durability and design legacy, the resilient category’s ability to optimise project timelines has made it a preferred choice in time-sensitive builds.


WHERE VINYL GAINS GROUND, AND WHERE IT DOESN’T


Criteria


Installation Time


Cost Efficiency


Lifespan


Aesthetic Value


Vinyl (LVT, Sheet, SPC) Traditional (Wood, Tile, Stone)


1–2 days average


20–30% lower install cost


Maintenance Simple, low-VOC finishes


10–15 years


Functional, adaptable


Sustainability Recycled content, take-back schemes


3–6 days with prep and curing


Higher upfront investment


Moderate to intensive


20+ years Premium, authentic


Natural but resource-intensive


Vinyl’s strength lies in fit-outs where speed and minimal downtime matter most. However, premium residential and institutional projects still favour wood and stone for their tactile quality, lifespan, and perceived value.


The flooring market is not shifting from one to the other, it is segmenting, with each material optimised for different project outcomes.


www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk


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