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This CPD is designed to provide you with an overview of vinyl flooring; its manufacturing processes and its design versatility. You will have the opportunity to speak directly with specialists working for Gerflor, and ask questions about the brand and products.
The CPD's focus is the different specification aspects that need to be considered when selecting a floor for residential or commercial use. These aspects include product performance such as slip resistance, acoustics, reaction to fire and durability as well as outlining technical solutions for different types of installation. It will help you to understand the following topics:
- The safety and performance requirements to consider when specifying flooring
- The versatility of modern vinyl in terms of design, colours and performance variants
- The important role of surface treatments and the benefits they offer
- Vinyl and its sustainability credentials
- The vinyl product ranges available and typical applications
There will also be opportunity to share your details and stay in touch with Gerflor for updates and news.
Why should CIAT members and affiliates attend this CPD?
Architectural Technologists face increasing pressure to balance performance, compliance, sustainability, and design. This CPD demystifies vinyl flooring in a way that is practical, technical and directly applicable to live projects. Attendees gain:
- A full understanding of vinyl flooring technologies, including manufacturing processes such as calendaring, pressing, coating and lamination
- Knowledge of slip resistance, durability, acoustic performance, fire ratings, ESD requirements and sustainability metrics used in modern specification frameworks
- Clarity on where different vinyl solutions are most appropriate across sectors like education, healthcare, hospitality, office and industrial environments
This is a chance to enhance competency in a material category that appears in almost every project type.
Why is getting the specification right so critical when it comes to vinyl flooring?
Vinyl flooring performance varies dramatically based on binder content, construction type, surface treatment, installation method, and environmental conditions. Poor specification leads to:
- Slip risk issues: the CPD shows classification differences using DIN 51130 and BS 7976 pendulum tests, which determine safety in wet or dry conditions
- Premature wear: binder content directly influences durability, especially in heavy‑traffic environments
- Non‑compliance: incorrect product selection can fail acoustic requirements (e.g., Document E’s 17 dB acoustic target) or ESD standards for labs and healthcare spaces
- Maintenance and lifecycle cost issues: surface treatments vary from simple PU finishes to lifetime UV‑cured coatings like Protecsol® and Evercare, which massively reduce cleaning cost and frequency
Vinyl is not one-size-fits-all getting the specification right ensures safety, longevity, compliance and budget control.
Who is this CPD particularly valuable for, and at what stage of a project?
Most valuable for:
- Architectural Technologists
- Architects
- Interior designers
- Design managers
Most relevant at project stages:
- Concept Design (RIBA Stage 2): Understanding available design options, pattern types, colour possibilities and sector‑specific performance needs
- Technical Design (RIBA Stage 4): Ensuring specification accuracy, slip ratings, binder content, acoustic performance, fire ratings, and installation methodology
- Construction (RIBA Stage 5): Awareness of installation requirements, subfloor prep (BS 8203/8204) and how incorrect installation affects warranties
If the goal is to reduce redesign time, avoid spec changes, and protect warranties, this CPD hits exactly the right audience and stage.
What knowledge will attendees be able to apply after the session?
Following the CPD, attendees will be able to:
- Identify the correct vinyl type - Homogeneous, heterogeneous, LVT, loose lay, acoustic, ESD, safety flooring, and sports flooring understanding where each is appropriate across 20+ application types
- Evaluate performance using recognised standards - Slip testing standards, wear layer characteristics, binder content requirements, acoustic performance, fire classifications, chemical resistance ratings
- Select finishes that balance design & performance - Thanks to insights on digital printing, colour flexibility, embossing options and bespoke logo integration through water‑jet cutting
- Understand sustainability criteria - Recyclability, recycled content, VOCs, BRE A/A+ ratings, adhesive‑free solutions
How will this CPD help specifiers make more confident decisions on live projects?The CPD gives Architectural Technologists practical tools to make defensible, high‑quality decisions by teaching them:
- Exactly which product to use, and where - The CPD maps flooring types to specific zones across education, healthcare, hospitality, office, industrial and residential environments (e.g., corridors, wet rooms, labs, sports halls, receptions, kitchens)
- How to justify product selection using hard data - Slip ratings, acoustic targets, durability classifications, ESD requirements, and sustainability metrics allow specifiers to evidence their choice in design reviews and client presentations.
- How to avoid errors that risk warranty or compliance - Clear guidance on installation standards (BS 8203/8204), adhesive use, heat welding, and corner systems helps prevent costly rework or premature failure
- How to reduce lifecycle cost for clients - Data showing reduced maintenance requirements with advanced surface treatments helps specifiers demonstrate long-term value
Speakers
