
Wood and wood-look floors are always in demand with its warm, natural tones.
For those looking for an alternative to hardwood floors, there are several flooring options to consider.
Each of these flooring types has its unique set of characteristics, including differences arising from its manufacture and raw materials to installation and maintenance.
In this article, the common issues and concerns surrounding flooring in general, and these specific to laminates, bamboo, luxury vinyl tiles, SPC click vinyl and cushion vinyl are explored.
Industry experts, Jan Hofmeyer, sales director at Top Carpets and Floors, and John Drury of Alco Exotic Green Building Products, give their top tips.

Apex luxury vinyl sheeting. Credit: Belgotex
Common issues for flooring
- Poor or incorrect sub-floor preparation and unacceptable moisture levels are the major causes of floor failure.
- Vinyl flooring materials have “drape” and will conform to the surface to which they are applied. If the floor is not level and smooth, any irregularity will telegraph through the face of the material.
- Always check that the batch numbers and colour code are the same across the entire order of flooring products.
- Many types of flooring are affected by direct sunlight. Invest in curtains and blinds to limit the risk of damage to the floor.
- Both hard and resilient flooring can scratch over time. Use felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture, and never slide or roll furniture and appliances across the floor to prevent damage.
- Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage flooring.
- When long-term maintenance of the floor is not done, or not done according to best practice.
Top tips for flooring
- Floor preparation is key. Most flooring types require a dry and level surface. Use the best quality products for the entire build-up system.
- It is essential to install an effective moisture barrier and to maintain the correct moisture and humidity percentages for the best results for most flooring types.
- When cleaning, mop up surface moisture promptly, vacuum rather than mop and avoid excessive amounts of water. If mopping, a micro fibre mop is recommended. Do not use spaghetti mops, as this will always over wet the floor.
- Walk-off rugs help reduce scratching and scuffing of flooring.
- In areas of excessive traffic and wear, make use of runners or area rugs.
- Keep attic stock of flooring products. Colours and patterns can change over time, making future repairs difficult.

Designer Collection Legacy Dawn NEO laminate flooring. Credit: Top Floors and Carpets
Specific flooring issues
As mentioned, each type of flooring has its own characteristics.
This quick reference guide details the common issues specific to each material, and top tips for the best results.
Flooring | Common issues | Top tips |
Laminate flooring
This flooring has been in use since 1984. It is constructed by bonding together, under very high pressure, a high-density fibre board, which is sandwiched between a melamine backing, a high-quality photographic paper and another melamine top layer. Depending on the classification, it can perform in domestic or commercial spaces.
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Bamboo flooring
Bamboo is not wood, it is a grass native to China that is cut down into strips or strands, dried and machined into flooring planks. This decorative flooring is extremely durable, with a higher density than most hardwood timbers. |
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Luxury vinyl tiles
Luxury vinyl tile and plank flooring (LVT and LVP) are among the most popular flooring products in the market. Most of these products are generally composed of a vinyl base with a patterned wear layer laminated to it. They are very realistic looking, with an embossed or textured surface that look like, wood, stone or ceramic.
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SPC click vinyl
Solid polymer core or stone plastic composite (SPC) refers to the class of rigid vinyl flooring products with a solid polymer core. SPC is an extruded core made primarily of calcium carbonate, with a smaller percentage of PVC. It features a backing layer at the bottom, the SPC core, a printed stone- or hardwood-look vinyl layer, topped with a wear layer.
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Cushion vinyl
Also known as luxury vinyl sheeting (LVS), cushion vinyl consists of six layers. A base layer covered in fibreglass keeps the sheet flat and dimensionally stable. Underneath the protective topcoat is a wear layer that protects the pattern layer of the product and in-between these is the cushion layer. This is the feature that adds bounce and texture and dampens noise.
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Finding resilience in flooring

Designer Collection Innovations by Nature click vinyl SPC board. Credit: Top Carpets and Floors
The most prevalent issue for flooring products is that of moisture and substrate preparation, both of which are major factors in flooring failures.
Attending to what goes underneath the floor covering, will reduce the risk significantly.
Selecting flooring is largely driven by the site.
Installing the right type of flooring can avoid many problems.
Likewise, proper care for the floor once installed will also make a big difference in how satisfied the client is with it, as well as how well it holds up over the long term.
Everything you need to know about wood look floors: selection, why they fail, common issues for different flooring types and industry top tips.
Full acknowledgement and thanks go to Top Carpets and Floors and Alco Exotic for the information in this article.
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