Glue-down or looselay: how each range is laid
How a vinyl floor is held down decides how it sounds, how high it sits and how easy it is to repair.
- Godfrey Hirst Olympus Neo planks and Olympus Stone tiles are direct stick, glued to the subfloor. Bonded down, Olympus Neo is silent underfoot, with no hollow click and no expansion gap to hide.
- Eco Flooring's Ornato is looselay. Each 5.3mm plank lies flat under its own weight, with adhesive used only across large open areas. A damaged plank lifts out and a new one drops in.
Airlay's Alpine planks come in 3mm and 5mm, and its Alpine Artisan tiles in 3mm. We confirm the laying method for your room at the measure.
The thinnest floors we stock
At 2.5mm, Olympus Neo and Olympus Stone add almost nothing to the floor height. In a renovation that usually means doors, kitchen kickboards and the joins to tile or carpet stay as they are. Alpine at 3mm can go over an existing floor without raising the level enough to matter.
The trade-off is that thin vinyl follows the surface underneath. A bump or a grout line can show through, so the subfloor has to be flat and sound. We check it before we quote, and our guide to what a subfloor is and how to prepare one explains why.
Wear layer and commercial ratings
The wear layer is the clear top coat that takes the scratches. Olympus Stone, Alpine and Alpine Artisan carry 0.55mm. Olympus Neo carries 0.5mm, and Ornato 0.50mm of PU.
Several ranges are rated well past home use. Olympus Neo is classed Residential 23 and Commercial 33 under EN ISO 10874, with Group T abrasion, the top class for vinyl. Alpine Artisan is commercial 33 and industrial 42. Ornato carries a NanoSilver antibacterial surface coating, and Alpine a PU and nano silver treatment against scuffs and stains.
Slip ratings for kitchens and entries
Olympus Neo and Olympus Stone are rated P3 under AS 4586. Alpine Artisan is R10 under both AS 4586 and DIN 51130, and Ornato is R10. The matte embossed surface on Olympus Stone adds grip and keeps glare down.
Plank and tile sizes
For a timber look, Olympus Neo planks are 1219 x 184mm and Ornato 1219 x 178mm. Alpine comes in two formats: 1219 x 178mm at 3mm, or a longer 1524 x 229mm plank at 5mm. For stone looks, Olympus Stone is a 457mm square and Alpine Artisan a 500mm square tile.
Water and wet areas
Ornato is moisture resistant, but a looselay floor is not a waterproofing system. No vinyl floor replaces the waterproof membrane a bathroom or laundry needs. Tell us about wet rooms before you choose, and we will point you to the right product.
Our vinyl ranges
- Godfrey Hirst: Olympus Neo 2.5mm planks and Olympus Stone 2.5mm tiles, both with a 25 year limited residential warranty.
- Eco Flooring Systems: Ornato 5.3mm looselay planks, suitable over underfloor heating.
- Airlay: Alpine luxury vinyl planks and Alpine Artisan luxury vinyl tiles.
Supply and installation across Sydney
You can have us supply and install, buy supply only and lay it yourself, or bring your own installer and we stay on hand to help through the job. For an install we measure, check the subfloor and give you a written quote before anything is booked. We supply and install flooring within Sydney only. Book a free measure and quote, see flooring installation in Sydney or visit the Auburn showroom.
Vinyl flooring questions
What is vinyl flooring?
A layered PVC floor with a printed design under a clear wear layer, sold as planks, tiles or sheet. Our guide what is vinyl flooring covers the types.
Can vinyl go over tiles?
Often, if the tiles are sound and flat, because the thin ranges barely change the floor height. Deep grout lines may need levelling first. We check this at the measure.
Vinyl or hybrid?
Hybrid is a thicker click plank with a rigid core, usually with underlay attached. Vinyl is thinner and suits jobs where floor height is tight. Compare the hybrid flooring and laminate flooring ranges.
How do I clean it?
Vacuum, then a damp mop with a pH neutral cleaner. More in our flooring cleaning guide.
Shop by brand: Godfrey Hirst, Eco Flooring Systems, Airlay, or the full flooring range. For offices and shops, see our carpet tiles.