Many people use “vinyl” and “lino” interchangeably — but they’re completely different materials.
Vinyl Flooring (PVC)
- Made from synthetic materials (polyvinyl chloride)
- 100% waterproof
- Available in sheets, tiles, or luxury vinyl planks (LVT)
- Wide range of designs (wood effect, stone effect, tile effect)
- Budget-friendly to mid-range pricing
Linoleum (Lino)
- Made from natural materials: linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, pine resin
- Biodegradable and eco-friendly
- Water-resistant but not fully waterproof
- Naturally antibacterial
- Mid to high-range pricing
Key takeaway: Vinyl is synthetic and waterproof. Lino is natural and water-resistant. For a bathroom, that distinction matters.
Bristol’s housing stock throws up specific challenges for bathroom floors:
- Older properties often have uneven timber subfloors
- Solid floors in extensions can have moisture issues
- Poor ventilation in small bathrooms leads to condensation
- Temperature fluctuations between seasons
Here’s why vinyl handles these challenges better:
1. 100% Waterproof
Vinyl sheets and LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) are completely impervious to water. Seams can be heat-welded for total protection. This is critical in bathrooms where water splashes, condensation, and leaks are common.
2. Handles Uneven Subfloors Better
Vinyl is more flexible than lino. It can accommodate minor imperfections in older Bristol subfloors without cracking or lifting.
3. Low Maintenance
Vinyl just needs sweeping and occasional mopping. No special cleaners, no resealing, no waxing.
4. Warm Underfoot
Vinyl insulates better than tiles and feels warmer than lino — important in Bristol winters.
5. Huge Design Range
From oak wood effect to marble-look stone, vinyl can mimic almost any material at a fraction of the cost.
Lino isn’t a bad option — it’s just better suited to different rooms.
Consider lino if:
- You want a natural, eco-friendly material
- The floor is for a kitchen, hallway, or utility room (not a bathroom)
- You want natural antibacterial properties
- You’re willing to pay more for sustainability
- You have a perfectly level, dry subfloor
Avoid lino in bathrooms because:
- It’s water-resistant, not waterproof
- Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause edges to lift
- It requires periodic sealing
- It’s more expensive than vinyl
Not all vinyl is created equal. Here’s what we install in Bristol bathrooms:
Sheet Vinyl
- Comes in large rolls (usually 2m or 4m wide)
- Fewer seams = less chance of water ingress
- Most budget-friendly option
- Best for small to medium bathrooms
Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
- Individual tiles that click together or glue down
- Realistic wood and stone effects
- More durable than sheet vinyl
- Mid-range pricing
- Can be installed over underfloor heating
Rigid Core LVT (SPC/WPC)
- Stone Plastic Composite or Wood Plastic Composite core
- 100% waterproof core (not just the surface)
- Most durable option
- Ideal for wet rooms and family bathrooms
- Higher price point
Our recommendation: For most Bristol bathrooms, we recommend sheet vinyl for budget projects and rigid core LVT for premium installations.
After years of fixing DIY bathroom floors, here are the mistakes we see most often:
1. Installing Over a Damp Subfloor
If your timber subfloor has moisture damage or your concrete floor hasn’t been tested for damp, any flooring will fail. We always check moisture levels first.
2. Skipping the Underlay
Unless you’re using rigid core LVT with built-in underlay, you need a proper underlay for comfort, sound insulation, and moisture protection.
3. Not Leaving Expansion Gaps
Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature changes. Without expansion gaps around the edges, your floor will buckle.
4. Using the Wrong Adhesive
Sheet vinyl needs specific adhesives. Using the wrong type leads to lifting edges and bubbling.
5. Ignoring Drainage Falls in Wet Rooms
If you’re installing a wet room, the floor needs proper falls to the drain. This requires specialist knowledge.
One of our clients in Totterdown had a small family bathroom with an old, cracked lino floor. Water had been seeping through the edges for months, damaging the timber subfloor underneath.
We:
- Removed the old lino and damaged floorboards
- Replaced rotten timber and levelled the subfloor
- Installed a moisture membrane
- Fitted 2mm luxury sheet vinyl with a wood-grain effect
- Heat-welded the seams for total waterproofing
- Reinstalled the bathroom fixtures
The whole job took 2 days. The client was thrilled with the result — and the floor has been problem-free for over a year.
“These guys are experts! Very professional and fast work redoing my bathroom floor and tiles. They were able to easily identify unexpected extra problems (a leaking toilet and rotted floors) and fix those too, all well within the timeframe they first gave me.”
– Sienna Parulis-Cook ⭐5
Pricing varies based on material quality, room size, and subfloor condition. Here’s a rough guide:
Sheet Vinyl
- Supply and fit: £25–£45 per square metre
- Best for: Budget-friendly bathroom refits
Standard LVT
- Supply and fit: £45–£70 per square metre
- Best for: Mid-range bathrooms with wood or stone effects
Rigid Core LVT
- Supply and fit: £65–£95 per square metre
- Best for: Premium bathrooms, wet rooms, family homes
Additional costs to consider:
- Subfloor repairs: £50–£200 depending on damage
- Moisture membrane: £5–£10 per square metre
- Underlay (if needed): £5–£8 per square metre
- Removal of old flooring: £10–£15 per square metre
Our promise: We always give you a fixed quote before starting work. No hidden fees, no surprises.
We believe in no-pressure quotes — so in most cases, you don’t need to let us into your home just for pricing.
You can:
Option 1: WhatsApp a Photo
Send a clear photo of your bathroom floor. We’ll assess the size, condition, and recommend the best option.
Option 2: Quick Phone Call
Tell us about your bathroom — dimensions, current flooring, any issues. We’ll give you a ballpark figure.
Option 3: Fill Out the Free Quote Form Below
No pressure, no obligation.
Only if access is unclear or the subfloor needs inspection will we suggest a short visit — and only after your approval.
This way, you get clarity fast — without the hassle.
You need a team who:
- Understands Bristol homes — from Victorian terraces to modern flats
- Checks subfloors properly — moisture, level, condition
- Offers a 3-month guarantee on all work
- Works cleanly and tidily — no dust, no mess
- Responds quickly — often same-day for quotes
- Is trusted by homeowners and landlords
We’re not just “floor fitters” — we’re a professional, reliable team that gets it right the first time.
See how we help with Professional Flooring & Tiling Services in Bristol.
“We’ve had Hosein and his team complete a few jobs for us and have been really impressed each time. Communication was excellent throughout, prices were very reasonable, and the quality of the work was top-notch.”
– Events Kitchen ⭐5
“Hosein and his team were very professional. They repointed my front garden wall and did a very good job. I would recommend them.”
– Liz P ⭐5
We’re ready to help with your bathroom flooring in Bristol. Whether you need sheet vinyl, LVT, or advice on what’s best — we’ll give you a clear quote fast.
