Why Choose Vinyl Flooring for Social Homes?

Chris Roberts is National Sales Manager for Beauflor, a leading manufacturer of vinyl flooring. He explains what to look out for when it comes to choosing a floor for social homes.

Of course, in England there is no regulation for the provider to equip homes with flooring other than in kitchens and bathrooms (Scotland makes no such stipulations), but with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 stating that all habitable rooms, staircases and landings should have suitable floor coverings at change of tenancy, the writing is certainly on the wall. With the Decent Homes Standard now also in review, including a look at what the expectations are for a ‘decent’ home, we may well see change that means flooring in these areas will become a requirement in England too.

In fact, with the Longleigh Foundation’s latest research reporting that landlord worries about financial cost, delays and ongoing responsibilities are actually entirely negated by the provision of suitable flooring, why wait for regulatory change? The right floor will not only lead to a reduction in void rent loss, but also reduced void turnover and costs, reduced refusal rates, fewer complaints and improvements in tenant health and wellbeing*.

But what is the right flooring to choose? Well, in the majority of homes, sheet vinyl makes a really sensible choice for landlords and providers, as well as their tenants. Not only is it cost-effective and easy to install – unlike plank products such as laminate – but it is also tough and is easy to clean meaning it has more chance of not needing to be changed between tenancies. This is not the case for carpet, which often needs ripping up and replacing.

These fundamental benefits are the same across all sheet vinyl floors, but it is also capable of being ‘fine-tuned’ for the specific requirements of the home in question. Take for example, apartments. Here, vinyl floors with added acoustic properties can improve the well-being of residents by cutting down on unwanted noise, a known contributor to stress and anxiety. Changing the design of flooring between rooms without affecting its daily function can also do much for the those suffering with sight loss or dementia in understanding their home. Being installed in the same way also brings benefits for the provider.

Whatever the specific needs of tenants, sheet vinyl does deliver on the essentials of a good flooring choice in social housing. With homely designs, comfort, noise absorption and thermal insulation it provides a more comfortable home; while its affordability, durability and ease of cleaning are certainly attractive qualities for providers and landlords.

Just which sheet vinyl floor is right for you largely depends on the needs of tenants and the property itself. But with a helping hand through specification, Beauflor can ensure that social homes benefit from a floor that improves the standard of every room in the home and which also meets the needs of providers in delivering excellent long-term value.

*https://longleigh.org/raising-awareness-for-better-flooring-provisions-in-social-housing/

For more information, visit www.beauflor.com

Image © Beauflor