Commercial LVT flooring
Commercial LVT is luxury vinyl tile, laid as individual planks and tiles that look like wood or stone but wear like a hard-working commercial floor. It gives the design-led finish of a natural material with the durability, quiet feel and easy maintenance that a busy office, shop or hotel needs. It is the floor that makes a reception look the part while still taking a full day of footfall without complaint. See how it fits alongside the other options in our commercial flooring range.
Surface Specialists helps businesses get the right LVT floor. We match your project to the right system and the right specialist contractor, then arrange a free site survey so the tiles are specified and installed correctly for how the space is used. This page sets out the formats and finishes available and where LVT fits alongside the other commercial vinyl options.
What is commercial LVT flooring?
Commercial LVT, or luxury vinyl tile, is a vinyl floor laid as separate planks and tiles rather than a welded sheet. Each piece has a printed design layer under a clear wear layer, so the floor can carry a realistic wood or stone finish while standing up to commercial traffic. Because it goes down as individual pieces, a worn or damaged tile can be lifted and replaced on its own rather than relaying a whole floor.
It differs from sheet vinyl, which is welded into one continuous hygienic surface for healthcare and clean areas. LVT is chosen where the look of individual planks and tiles matters, in offices, retail, hospitality and design-led spaces and where a floor may need occasional repair rather than full replacement. Where a seamless surface with no joints is the priority, sheet vinyl is specified instead. See our commercial vinyl flooring page for the welded sheet systems. For how LVT sits against the other contract options, see the guide to choosing commercial flooring.
Commercial LVT is specified with a thicker wear layer than the domestic product, usually measured in microns, so it lasts under heavy use. It is available in glued-down, loose-lay and click formats and can be laid in patterns such as herringbone, plank and tile to suit the design of the space. A polyurethane surface treatment on most systems means the floor needs no polishing and cleans with routine maintenance.
Types of commercial LVT flooring
Commercial LVT comes in several formats, each matched to how a space is used and how the floor is fixed down. The right one is confirmed at a site survey.
Glue-down LVT
Tiles and planks bonded directly to a prepared subfloor with adhesive, which gives the most stable and hard-wearing result for heavy commercial traffic. It is the standard for offices, retail and hospitality where the floor sees constant footfall and has to stay flat and secure for years.
Loose-lay LVT
Heavier tiles held in place by their own weight and friction backing with only perimeter and seam bonding. It suits areas where access to services under the floor is needed or where a quick replacement matters and it can be lifted and relaid with less disruption than a glued floor.
Click LVT
Planks with an interlocking edge that lock together over an underlay to form a floating floor. It is chosen where a fast installation with minimal subfloor work is wanted and where a small amount of movement in the base can be tolerated, so it suits lighter commercial and refurbishment work.
Wood and stone effect finishes
LVT carries realistic wood plank and stone tile designs under a clear wear layer, laid in herringbone, plank or tile patterns to match the design brief. It gives the look of a natural material with the durability, comfort and easy cleaning of vinyl, which is why it is specified for design-led offices, showrooms and hotels. Where the same timber look is needed in a wet or high-risk area, wood-effect safety flooring is the slip-resistant alternative.
Luxury vinyl tile for commercial use comes from a field that overlaps heavily with sheet vinyl. Polyflor and Forbo both run commercial LVT alongside their sheet ranges, while Amtico and Karndean are the two names built specifically around LVT and are the ones most often recognised by a client. Tarkett competes across both. The decision usually turns on wear layer thickness, format and whether the floor is loose lay, click or fully bonded. Listing a manufacturer here does not imply a partnership, approval or accreditation. The full field is on the commercial flooring brands page.
Wear layer thickness is the number that separates a light commercial LVT from one specified for heavy traffic. The commercial LVT wear layer guide sets out what each thickness is rated for. On the design side there are separate guides to commercial wood effect vinyl flooring and commercial stone effect vinyl flooring. Where the choice is between tiles and a welded sheet, commercial vinyl vs LVT compares the two.
Which LVT is right for your project?
The right LVT comes down to how the space is used, how the floor is fixed and the look you are after. It is confirmed at a site survey. As a guide:
Heavy-traffic commercial areas
Offices, shops and hotels with constant footfall suit glue-down LVT with a thick wear layer, which stays flat and secure and takes years of heavy use.
Spaces that need under-floor access
Areas over service voids or raised access floors suit loose-lay LVT, which can be lifted and relaid to reach cabling and services without damaging the floor.
Fast refurbishments
Refurbishment and fit-out work on a tight programme suits click LVT, which floats over an underlay with minimal subfloor preparation and returns the space to use quickly.
Design-led interiors
Receptions, showrooms and hospitality spaces call for wood and stone effect LVT laid in herringbone or plank patterns, where the finish is part of the design.
Commercial LVT flooring by sector
Commercial LVT suits environments where the look of the floor matters as much as its durability. Each sector places different demands on the surface and the system is specified accordingly.
Offices and workspace
Reception areas, breakout spaces and open-plan offices where a smart wood or stone finish sets the tone. Glue-down LVT gives a durable design-led floor that stays quiet underfoot and cleans with routine maintenance.
Retail and showrooms
Shops, showrooms and commercial units where the floor is part of the brand and has to take constant footfall. LVT carries a premium finish while standing up to trolleys, heels and daily cleaning and individual tiles can be replaced as they wear. See our retail flooring page.
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes where the interior design leads and the floor still has to work hard. Wood and stone effect LVT gives the warmth of a natural material with the practicality of vinyl in high-turnover spaces. See our hospitality flooring page.
Healthcare and public buildings
Waiting rooms, receptions and non-clinical areas where a welcoming finish is wanted rather than a clinical one. LVT suits these front-of-house spaces with welded sheet vinyl or safety flooring specified for the clinical and wet areas alongside.
What to know before you specify an LVT floor
Subfloor preparation determines the finish. LVT is thin and will show any unevenness in the base beneath it, so the subfloor is smoothed with a levelling compound before the tiles go down. A floor laid over a poorly prepared base will telegraph faults and lift at the edges however good the LVT.
Moisture has to be managed. A concrete slab that still holds moisture will lift the adhesive and disturb a glued LVT floor. The slab is tested at survey and a damp-proof membrane can be applied where readings are high or the slab is new, so installation can go ahead without waiting weeks for it to dry.
Wear layer sets the lifespan. Commercial LVT is specified by the thickness of its wear layer, usually in microns. The heavier the traffic, the thicker the wear layer needs to be, so the right grade is matched to how the space is used rather than fitting a domestic product to a commercial job.
LVT is not a wet-area floor. LVT is laid as individual pieces with joints between them, so it is not the choice for wet rooms, kitchens or clinical wash areas where water has to be kept out. Those areas need safety flooring with a slip-resistant welded surface. See our safety flooring page.
Downtime and phasing. An LVT floor often has to go in around a working building. The work can be phased so areas are returned to use in turn and the programme is planned around your operation at the survey stage.
Why choose Surface Specialists?
Commercial LVT is a specialist field and the right floor comes down to the right format and grade specified for the space and installed by a specialist contractor in our network. That is what we arrange and the right specialist contractor looks after the job from start to finish.
- A specialist focus. We concentrate on surface treatment, so your enquiry is matched to the right LVT format and wear layer rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
- Experienced contractors. Installation is carried out by established specialist contractors with a track record in commercial LVT and design-led fit-outs.
- Right system, first time. We match the LVT to how the space is used so it is specified correctly from the start.
- One point of contact. From survey and specification through to a completed floor, you deal with one specialist contractor.
Learn more about Surface Specialists or browse our help and advice guides.
Areas we cover
We arrange commercial LVT flooring through experienced specialist contractors and are steadily extending the areas we cover. See our areas we cover hub for local detail, including Manchester with more local pages being added.
Get a quote
Tell us about your project and we will arrange a free site survey. The contractor assesses the space and how the floor will be used, then provides a written specification and quotation, typically within 48 hours. There is no obligation. Contact us to get started.
GET A FREE SITE SURVEY & QUOTATION
Choosing commercial LVT by use
Commercial LVT is specified mainly by wear-layer thickness and use class, which set how much traffic it will take. The table below maps use levels to a typical wear layer and finish. For the standards behind these classes see our commercial flooring hub.
| Use level | Typical wear layer | Finish or feature | Recognised standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light commercial | 0.30mm to 0.40mm | Standard emboss | EN ISO 10874 Class 31-32 |
| General commercial | 0.55mm | Embossed-in-register wood or stone | EN ISO 10874 Class 33 |
| Heavy commercial | 0.70mm | Enhanced wear layer | EN ISO 10874 Class 34 |
| Slip-critical areas | 0.55mm to 0.70mm | R10 finish or PTV 36+ | EN 13845 where safety rated |
| Retail and showroom | 0.55mm | Realistic embossed-in-register decor | EN ISO 10874 Class 33 |
Embossed-in-register finishes align the surface texture with the printed design for a more realistic wood or stone look. Where LVT meets carpet or sheet vinyl, a transition strip protects the edges.
Common specification mistakes
LVT fails most often when the wear layer is too thin for the traffic or the slip finish is overlooked. The points below are common specification pitfalls to check against your own site.
- Specifying a 0.30mm domestic wear layer for a commercial area that needs 0.55mm or 0.70mm.
- Ignoring the use class, so an LVT rated for light commercial goes into heavy traffic.
- Overlooking slip resistance in entrances and wet-prone areas, where an R10 finish or PTV 36+ may be needed.
- Omitting transition strips where LVT meets carpet or sheet vinyl, so edges lift.
- Managing subfloor moisture and flatness poorly, so joints telegraph or peak.
These are general specification principles rather than observations from any single project.
Key takeaways
- Commercial LVT is specified mainly by wear-layer thickness and use class.
- Wear layers of 0.55mm and 0.70mm suit general and heavy commercial traffic.
- Embossed-in-register finishes give a more realistic wood or stone look.
- Slip-critical areas may need an R10 finish or a PTV of 36 or above.
- Transition strips protect edges where LVT meets carpet or sheet vinyl.
Frequently asked questions
What is commercial LVT flooring?
Commercial LVT is luxury vinyl tile made for busy non-domestic spaces, supplied as planks or tiles that mimic wood, stone or concrete. It combines a realistic look with hardwearing performance, easy repair and quiet comfort underfoot. Commercial grades use thicker wear layers than domestic LVT to handle heavier traffic.
What is the difference between LVT and commercial vinyl?
LVT is laid as individual planks or tiles for a designed wood or stone look with easy repair of single pieces. Sheet vinyl is welded into a continuous waterproof surface for hygiene and wet areas. LVT wins on appearance and flexibility; sheet vinyl wins on seamless hygiene and water resistance.
What use class should commercial LVT be?
Commercial LVT is graded by EN ISO 10874 use class. Class 33 suits heavy commercial traffic such as retail and busy offices, while class 34 covers very heavy or light industrial use. Choosing the right class to the expected footfall is what keeps the floor performing over its life.
How thick is the wear layer on commercial LVT?
Commercial LVT wear layer thickness usually runs from 0.55mm for general commercial use up to 0.70mm or more for heavy traffic. The wear layer is the clear protective top surface, so a thicker layer resists scratching and wear for longer. It is the single best guide to how hardwearing a tile is.
How durable is LVT flooring?
LVT is highly durable when the right commercial grade is specified, resisting scratches, dents, moisture and heavy footfall for many years. Durability comes mainly from the wear layer thickness and the use class. A correctly prepared subfloor is just as important because most early failures trace back to preparation.
What is embossed in register LVT?
Embossed in register LVT has surface texture aligned precisely to the printed design, so the grain you see matches the grain you feel. This registration makes wood and stone effects far more convincing than a flat print. It is a hallmark of higher-quality LVT ranges.
What flooring suits an office, LVT or carpet?
Both suit offices, so the choice depends on the space. LVT gives a clean hardwearing wipeable surface ideal for reception, breakout and high-traffic areas. Carpet tiles add warmth and sound absorption for open-plan desks and quiet zones. Many offices combine the two, zoning hard and soft flooring by use.
Are LVT transition strips needed?
Transition strips are used where LVT meets a different floor finish or level, protecting the edges and giving a neat safe junction. They also allow for movement at doorways and thresholds. In large continuous areas LVT can often be laid without strips, but changes of material usually need them.
Is commercial LVT glue-down or click?
Most commercial LVT is glue-down, bonded fully to the subfloor for stability under heavy traffic and rolling loads. Loose-lay and click systems exist for quicker installation or access to services beneath, but glue-down is the default for durability. The right method depends on the subfloor and the use.
How much does commercial LVT cost?
Commercial LVT cost per square metre depends on the wear layer, the use class, the design and the subfloor preparation needed. Thicker heavy-traffic tiles cost more than lighter commercial grades. The contractor sets out supply and fit costs in a written quotation after surveying the site.
How is commercial LVT installed and maintained?
Commercial LVT is installed over a clean, dry, level subfloor, usually after a smoothing compound to give a flawless base, then bonded with the correct adhesive. Maintenance is routine sweeping and damp mopping plus occasional refresh of the protective finish. The contractor confirms preparation at the site survey.
Who installs LVT flooring through Surface Specialists?
Surface Specialists is a network of vetted specialist contractors. We match your LVT project to the right contractor, then arrange a free site survey. The contractor specifies the grade and design, provides the written quotation and carries out the installation.
Does Surface Specialists cover residential LVT
No. Surface Specialists covers commercial and contract work only. For a floor at home, Grosvenor Flooring carries Amtico and Karndean ranges across Manchester and Cheshire.