White Vinyl Flooring

How to choose white vinyl flooring

Which white?

Whitewashed wood: white with grain showing through; the most natural and forgiving. White marble: elegant, with grey veining that hides marks. White stone and concrete: calm, modern and spa-like. Pure, plain white: the most striking, but shows the most. Warm whites and creams feel cosy; cool, bright whites feel crisp and modern.

Texture

A matt, embossed surface hides footprints and small scratches far better than smooth or gloss white, and grips better in bathrooms and kitchens.

Wear layer

About 0.5mm or more for kitchens, hallways and family bathrooms, so the surface stays bright and unmarked.

Living with a white floor

White floors show dark dirt, muddy footprints and spills like red wine or coffee more than mid-tones, but they hide light dust and pet hair well. Vinyl’s wear layer and top coat resist stains if spills are wiped up promptly. Door mats at outside doors, felt pads, and a quick sweep keep a white vinyl floor looking fresh. Avoid rubber-backed mats, which can stain vinyl, especially pale colours.

Designing with white vinyl

• Small rooms: white floors and pale walls make cloakrooms, en-suites and small kitchens feel bigger.
• Bathrooms: white marble effects with white sanitaryware and brass or chrome feel bright and luxurious.
• Kitchens: whitewashed wood with navy, green or wood units makes a fresh contrast.
• North-facing rooms: choose a warmer, creamy white so the room does not feel cold.
• Open plan: one white floor through connected spaces makes the whole area feel larger.

White vinyl or white laminate?

White vinyl copes with water, so it is the choice for kitchens and bathrooms; white laminate has a harder, more scratch-resistant surface for dry living rooms and bedrooms.

Fitting white vinyl

Let the packs acclimatise flat for 24 to 48 hours, check the subfloor is clean, dry and flat, use a thin, firm LVT underlay for click vinyl unless one is attached, or vinyl floor adhesive for glue-down, and seal the edges in bathrooms. Keep the floor clean while fitting, as pale floors show marks from tools and shoes. Finish with white beading or white skirting. Our installation guides and measuring guide help you plan.

Looking after white vinyl

Sweep or vacuum regularly and mop with a damp mop and a pH-neutral cleaner. Wipe spills straight away, avoid bleach and solvent cleaners (which can yellow some vinyls) and rubber-backed mats.

Comparing samples at home

Order free samples of two or three options and put them on the floor of the room where they will be laid. Look at them in daylight and in the evening under your own lamps, next to the walls, skirting, units and furniture they will sit with. Colours and textures look different in every room and on every screen, so a few minutes with real samples is the best way to avoid a costly mistake. Stand back as well as looking close up: a floor is mostly seen from standing height and from the doorway.

Common mistakes

• Choosing smooth, plain white for a busy hallway, where every mark shows.
• Rubber-backed mats, which can stain pale vinyl.