PVC sheet/tiles to BS EN 649 or PVC tiles to BS EN 654 Class 34 or 43 (heavy commercial and industrial) and with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for proposed use.
Capital cost £14/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £25/m2
Service life 15 years
PVC sheet/tiles to BS EN 649 or PVC tiles to BS EN 654 Class 23 (heavy domestic) and with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for proposed use.
Capital cost £11/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £20/m2
Service life 15 years
Roll carpet and carpet tiles
Roll carpet classified as class 4 (heavy, contract) to BS EN 1307 and/or with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for the proposed use.
Capital cost £17/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £33/m2
Service life 15 years
Roll carpet classified as class 3 or 2 to BS EN 1307.
Capital cost £15/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £41/m2
Service life 10 years
Carpet tiles classified as class 4 (heavy, contract) to BS EN 1307 and/or with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for the proposed use.
Capital cost £18/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £35/m2
Service life 15 years
Carpet tiles classified as class 3 or 2 to BS EN 1307.
Capital cost £16/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £44/m2
Service life 10 years
Linoleum, cork and rubber
Linoleum sheet/tiles to BS 6826 and classified as heavy duty or for areas of high traffic with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for proposed use.
Capital cost £15/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £22/m2
Service life 20 years
Cork tiles 3.2 mm thick to BS 6826 with vinyl seal finish and classified as heavy duty or for areas of high traffic.
Capital cost £25/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £49/m2
Service life 15 years
Cork tiles 4.7 mm thick to BS 6826 with acrylic seal finish and classified as heavy duty or for areas of high traffic.
Capital cost £16/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £37/m2
Service life 12 years
Rubber sheet or tiles to BS 1711 or BS 3187 or synthetic rubber and classified as heavy duty or for areas of high traffic and with a British Board of Agrément or other third-party assurance for proposed use.
Capital cost £28/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £59/m2
Service life 12 years
Rubber tiles or sheets to BS 1711 or BS 3187 not specifically for heavy duty.
Capital cost £25/m2
Net present value for 60-year life £61/m2
Service life 10 years
Factors affecting durability
Maintenance
Excessive use of water and/or detergent should be avoided for cleaning cork, PVC and linoleum tiles. Mopping, sweeping and buffing to linoleum, PVC and cork should be carried out in accordance with BS 6263 Part 2. Polishing should be in accordance with manufacturers’ directions.
Suitability of specification for location
Coverings should be selected from the appropriate use class for the location. Cork and linoleum are not suitable for areas where there is a risk of high impact loads, such as chair legs and wheeled traffic. In areas of heavy traffic, coverings may require added protection such as mouldings or aluminium trims. Heavy domestic can be defined as areas where above-average use can be expected. This includes stairs, corridors, living and dining rooms. Heavy commercial, industrial and contract will include department stores, store rooms and airports.
Preparation and condition of base
Suspended timber-boarded floors need to be in good condition with tight joints, nail heads punched below the surface and no cupping of the boards. Line with 4 mm plywood if floor is unsuitable. The substrate of solid floors must be firm, clean and dry. New screed must be fully dry before covering. Carpets should always be laid on a suitable underlay.
Modes of failure
Surface wear/deterioration
Linoleum and cork may exhibit discolouration. Surfaces of cork, linoleum and PVC may break down in localised areas of heavy use. Cork tiles are susceptible to excessive wear unless finished with an acrylic or PVC layer. Unsuitable protection may lead to dirt becoming ingrained.
Lifting
Coverings may lift because of a lack of sufficient adhesive or cleaning with excessive amounts of water. Heavily used areas may become blistered, which will lead to local premature failure.
Joint failure
Welded joints may fail because of the shrinkage of PVC flooring.
Bubbling/ridging/rippling
Moisture, lack of adhesive or movements in the substrate may cause the covering to ripple, bubble, lift or become detached. This can result in the covering becoming torn. Carpets may also stretch and exhibit ridging in heavily used areas.
Chemical attack
Some cleaning agents may cause shrinkage, joints opening and stretching.
Indentation
Large static loads or impact loads may cause indentation to the covering.
Durability tips
- Where timber floors are not level, the surface should be covered with 4 mm plywood nailed at 150 mm intervals.
- Protect joints in coverings at heavy traffic areas with timber mouldings or aluminium extrusions.
- Ensure that the substrate is thoroughly dry before laying any impervious material.
