Vinyl Flooring vs Carpet

When weighing up different flooring options it’s important to do your research, it needs to not only meet your budget and needs but also the needs of your home and of course, how it will wear so you know you’re making the right investment.

When it comes to flooring, we’d definitely say invest more and do it properly as it’s often one of the more costly parts of a space’s aesthetic overhaul and, usually, the most tedious to replace! With that in mind, we’ll be talking you through the benefits and drawbacks of carpet and luxury vinyl tiles with a quick-fire FAQ on vinyl flooring vs carpet.

Vinyl sheet flooring is one continuous piece of vinyl that is rolled over a substrate, similar to how carpet is fitted. Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) is a composite of vinyl with its PVC rigid core, but it has greater benefits, such as a cushioning underfoot and seams (like planks or tiles), so it looks more realistic.

So, on that basis, we will be discussing LVT not sheet vinyl in this article. To better understand how LVT compares to standard vinyl, check out our guide on LVT vs. Vinyl. Or, if you’re new to LVT, explore our introductory guide to what LVT flooring is.

As with all flooring, budget is important, however one being cheaper than the other is not always about the price tag. Will vinyl flooring be cheaper to install than carpet? Is the grading of the carpet better quality than the vinyl? Which will last longer in the space?

Carpet can be extremely expensive, both to buy and to lay, depending on the quality of the carpet. A good carpet should be at least 80% wool, especially if you have allergy sufferers in the house. Natural fibres are of course better for the environment, but they also last longer than synthetic fibres which often breakdown with heavy foot traffic. So, in the case of carpet, a higher price point usually means better longevity.

However, carpet doesn't have some of the benefits of vinyl flooring has. LVT, particularly bathroom LVT and kitchen LVT flooring is waterproof, making it ideal for rooms that are prone to moisture and spills. Secondly, it realistically looks like wood, offering both style and practicality.

In the interest of saving some pennies, it can be appealing to reuse your existing carpet’s underlay if it seems in good condition. However, it shouldn’t be repurposed for LVT flooring.

All of our LVT ranges at Topps Tiles come with integrated underlay already built in, so there’s no need to purchase or lay a separate one. In cases where LVT doesn't include underlay, using carpet underlay would actually cause problems, as it is much thicker than what luxury vinyl tiles require. This can interfere with the click fitting system, affect the stability of the floor and even cause long-term damage.

Simply put, we wouldn’t advise it! Regular sheet vinyl can be laid over carpet, however you would need to place a new, sturdier substrate over the top, such as plywood, but once you’ve got the carpet, plywood and then vinyl on top, you’re adding a lot of additional bulk to your room’s floor, and this can cause complications at the edges and doorways of your room. LVT is laid as a floating floor and requires a completely level substrate with any movement greatly reduced before laying it so we would highly recommend removing the carpet and its underlay and get back to the original substrate to start again.