Hygienic Flooring Explained: Vinyl vs Resin
There is no doubt installing the wrong flooring can have serious repercussions in the long-term life of your project, however deciding which flooring is right is not an easy matter. When deciding between vinyl and resin, there are a few things to take into consideration to ensure your flooring lives up to the needs of it's environment.
General Points to Consider
Despite being used in similar locations and on comparable projects, vinyl and resin flooring are very different products, with benefits and drawbacks to both. In this article, we will talk more generally about both flooring types, with the assumption that the flooring is for a hardy hygienic environment in a commercial area.
Resin flooring is a longer lasting product, and due to this costs more in the short term. It is also important to consider that lead times are longer for resin flooring, and so it might not always be the right choice when a very fast turn around is necessary. There are many types of resin flooring, but in this article we will be focusing on P.U (polyurethane) resin, which is the highest quality, and most hard wearing, and therefore the type we most recommend and install.
Durability, Life Expectancy and Warranty
It is important to think about how durable you need the flooring to be and how long you expect/need it to last.
If properly installed, vinyl flooring will usually have a lifetime of around 10 years, and so is good to use in areas where you expect that you will need or want to change the flooring more frequently. Vinyl flooring, when installed correctly, comes with a warranty of 7 years.
Resin, on the other hand, if laid at 6-8mm thick can have a lifetime exceeding 30 years, but also is often difficult to remove so keep that in mind if the environment use is likely to change. Resin, when laid properly, comes with a warranty of 15 years.
Price
Of course, one of the biggest factors when it comes to choosing a product is price. With tight budgets on most projects, it is important to consider which floor is the best value, while still meeting all your needs.
Vinyl flooring costs from £35 - £85 per m2, depending on a reasonable sized job. This is also influenced by factors such as which design is chosen, and the purpose of the vinyl itself.
P.U. Resin tends to vary more in price, depending on the scale of the job. As an example, for a small job, the resin may cost in the region of £90 per m2, but for a large job it might be more like £50 per m2.
It is also important to consider the type of floor preparation which may be required before the floor is laid, and the extra cost implications this may bring.
Functionality
Functionality, of course, must be prioritised when deciding which floor is best. Where the floor will be located, the function of the room, and the cleaning regime must all be taken into account before settling on a product.
A key example of this is the slip rating required. If you are putting the flooring down in a bathroom, or an area such as a kitchen where oil may be spilled, then a higher slip rating will be needed, compared to a hospital corridor, or music room. The amount of slip resistance can be adapted in both resin and vinyl, to ensure that the flooring is as safe and practical as possible.
The cleaning processes within the area, and the amount of contact with chemicals that the flooring may have, and the amount of heat that will be used around the material must also be considered.
In areas with a more gentle cleaning routine, vinyl flooring will be perfect, and is still a very valid hygienic option to use.
Resin, on the whole, can withstand a more intense cleaning routine, and is less likely to be damaged by persistent chemical use, or high temperatures. Resin is also seamless, which aids both the cleaning process, and the durability of the product.
Tricky Areas
Both resin and vinyl flooring can be tricky to install, so it is important to think about which areas in your room might cause issues. Does the flooring need to go up stairs? Does it need to incorporate falls in the floor or drains ? Are there any subfloor issues which need addressing? Is your floor flat, or does it need leveling?
Vinyl flooring is arguably the easiest of the two flooring types to install, it is easier to mould around edges, and to cover stairs. While some floor prep may be required, vinyl is arguably the least temperamental of the two options.
Resin flooring is more difficult to handle, which often results in slightly rougher finishes in difficult areas. For example, it does not do well on flexible surfaces, and is not easy to install on areas such as stairs. Since resin is hand applied, and can be time consuming, intricate areas or small detailing tending to be costly.
Aesthetics
If the aesthetics of your completed project is important, it is key to know what sort of finish you would expect from the flooring, before choosing the correct product to install.
Vinyl flooring offers a wide range of finishes, from standard vinyl flooring to wood effect, or even an option to get your own design printed. Each flooring range comes with it’s own colour options, so that no matter what the environment, there is a wide variety of colours to choose from.
If practicality outweighs design, then resin flooring might be the right choice. Although the options are more limited, the idea of PU is that it is hand applied and this may have some imperfections and blemishes. There is still a wide variety of grip finishes and colour options available, so that you can still get the professional and beautiful finish desired for any project. You can even choose your own colour, but lead times are longer for this option.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both vinyl and resin are brilliant flooring options for any hygienic installation, there is a huge amount to consider when choosing which option is the right choice.
The best advice Hycom can give; decide what the most important things to you are, and pick whichever product will ensure that you have a project you are proud of.
How can Hycom help?
We are experts in supplying and installing hygienic flooring and take great pride in passing on our knowledge and skills to our customers. We understand the basic functions of products and wherever possible this is delivered with the most aesthetically pleasing solution in mind. Get in touch today on contact@hycom.co.uk or call 01420 559 802 and we'll be happy to talk through your requirements.
