A garden office, studio or hobby room is a fantastic way to achieve extra space for living and working at home. This can be constructed without the hassle of building an extension and often without the need for planning permission.
When considering a new garden building, it’s important to consider the different construction materials available, particularly when it comes to the flooring options offered by your chosen garden room manufacturer. Flooring is important because it impacts the overall usability, style and atmosphere of the space in many ways, including upkeep and comfort.
In this article, we’ll explain what luxury vinyl tile flooring is, the benefits of this material and why we use it for our garden rooms.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
Luxury vinyl tiles overview
Luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) are a type of durable, hardwearing flooring designed to mimic the appearance of wood and stone. They are manufactured from synthetic materials which are heated and put under pressure to produce a firm vinyl compound core. A decorative image is applied on top of this core to create the wood or stone effect, and then a transparent coating is applied to the surface to protect the tile from staining, scratching or fading. Finally, a backing layer is applied to the reverse of the tile for additional durability and waterproofing.
LVT flooring differs from laminate flooring in that laminate is constructed from wood fibres that are bonded with resins. A design is printed on top to resemble wood, and this is finished with a protective layer of hard plastic. Laminate is typically not as durable and hardwearing as LVT flooring. It is more likely than LVT to experience water damage and tends to get scratched more easily.
Linoleum is another resilient flooring material comparable to LVT. It is comprised mostly of linseed oil which is combined with other materials, often wood flour and cork dust, and pressed into large sheets. Compared to LVT it is far more susceptible to water damage and must be sealed if laid in high moisture areas. It also has a relatively soft surface which means it can get scratched and dented easily, and it is vulnerable to yellowing as it ages.
Since LVT flooring is designed to resemble wood and stone, it’s worth comparing it to these flooring types as well. Firstly, luxury vinyl tiles tend to be significantly more affordable than solid wood or stone floors. They’re also much simpler and quicker to install, particularly when they’re designed to click together such as the ones we use in every Garden Retreat. The tiles are much lighter than stone and wood, easier to cut to size and don’t require adhesive to fix them in place. Plus, if one of the tiles gets damaged it can be pulled up and replaced without having to replace the entire floor or remove large portions of it.
LVT floors are far easier to maintain than solid wood, which is vulnerable to staining and scratching and must be periodically refinished to protect it. LVT flooring is also resistant to warping, rotting and insect damage, unlike solid wood floors.
Solid stone flooring, such as slate or marble, is difficult and time-consuming to install. It can crack, chip or scratch easily if anything is dropped on it. You don’t have to worry about these problems with LVT flooring. Plus, LVT is much more comfortable underfoot than stone—it won’t feel too cold during the winter or too hard to walk on barefoot when temperatures are warmer in the summer.
Benefits of luxury vinyl tiles
Luxury vinyl tiles are incredibly durable and high quality. They’re hardwearing and will last for decades with minimal maintenance. LVT floors are resistant to scratching, which is ideal if you’ll be using your garden building as a workshop, studio, play area for the kids, or any other purpose in which things could often be dropped or dragged across the floor.
Vinyl is a waterproof material, which makes LVT flooring a brilliant choice for rooms where there’s a good chance of spills or high levels of humidity. This also makes it incredibly easy to keep clean; simply wipe it down with a damp cloth or a well-wrung mop to remove any dirt.
Luxury vinyl tiles feel are more comfortable underfoot than alternatives. This ensures your garden room is just as pleasant as any room in your house if you plan to be walking around without shoes on.
LVT floors are also incredibly versatile. They’re stylish and comfortable for living spaces, durable for commercial spaces, and suitable for physical activities such as dance, yoga or aerobics. The wide range of designs available also makes it easy to achieve a finished look that suits your tastes.
Garden rooms with luxury vinyl tiles
Here at Garden Retreats, we use luxury vinyl tile flooring in all of our pods. We feel that LVT flooring offers the perfect balance of practicality and style thanks to its durable, hardwearing nature and the fantastic variety of finishes available. Plus, the warm and comfortable surface of LVT will allow your garden room to feel just like home.
You’ll happily be able to walk around on bare feet, and if you have kids they will be perfectly comfortable playing on the garden room floor. The flooring is also compatible with underfloor heating if you want to incorporate this into your pod for additional comfort.
We use high-quality luxury vinyl tiles that click together without any glue or adhesives required for installation. This means you can easily replace individual tiles if they get damaged. Plus, the tongue-and-groove fixture system ensures the seams between tiles remain watertight. We apply a special K-Guard surface that protects the tiles from stains and ensures the best standards of hygiene and sterility.
We have 19 different LVT finishes to choose from, including stone-effect and wood-effect options. If you’d like your garden room to have a traditional or rustic character, we’d recommend the oak or walnut-effect tiles. For a contemporary finish, our slate-effect tiles are a brilliant choice. It’s easy to find a finish that works with your preferred décor style.
Use our configuration tool for inspiration and to get started designing your own bespoke garden room. Alternatively, if you would like more information about our low maintenance garden rooms or are interested in booking a free site survey, get in touch with a member of our team.