Firm footing: the knowledge

Though they may look similar, these floor types are far from the same. Here, we break down the differences and introduce the best brands for the job

Linoleum

Lino is made from a mixture of natural materials such as cork, linseed oil and ground stone on jute backing, making it affordable, hard-wearing and eco-friendly. Try Forbo: its lino flooring under the Marmoleum brand is made from 97 per cent renewable materials.

Harvey Maria is great for different coloured tiles – mix and match for an unusual checkerboard design (forbo.com; harveymaria.com).

Vinyl

Unlike lino, vinyl flooring is manufactured in layers from synthetic materials, such as PVC. It’s slightly more durable than linoleum and more resistant to water, scratches, stains and dents, making it a good choice for households with pets or children. Amtico has 25 shades, from tourmaline green to terracotta (amtico.com).

Rubber

For serious resilience, look to rubber, which is waterproof and slip-resistant, making it a great option for bathrooms. Studded styles are becoming increasingly popular. The Rubber Floor Store has a wide range of colours, including a light yellow and a cool blue. For solid hues, The Colour Flooring Company stocks everything from pale bone to bright pumpkin (therubberfloorstore.co.uk; colourflooring.co.uk).

Resin

There are three main types of resin flooring: epoxy, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polyurethane, poured onto a concrete surface which then hardens to form a sturdy layer. A resin floor is more flexible than vinyl, so it won’t crack. Choose from a variety of patterns, including terrazzo. It’s impervious to water – it can even withstand power-washing. Chasing Space is the brand to know (chasingspace.co.uk).