Gerflor Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic LVT Flooring

Gerflor Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic represents a significant advancement in luxury vinyl tile technology, designed specifically for environments where both aesthetic appeal and acoustic performance are paramount. This premium LVT range combines Gerflor’s expertise in resilient flooring with innovative features tailored for busy homes and moderate-traffic commercial settings like offices, boutiques, or hotel rooms (European Classification 33/42).

At its heart lies a high-density Rigid Composite Core (RCC), providing remarkable dimensional stability. This means the flooring is less susceptible to expansion and contraction with temperature fluctuations compared to traditional vinyl planks, allowing for installation in larger areas without transition strips and in rooms with significant sun exposure. The rigid nature also helps bridge minor subfloor imperfections, often allowing installation over existing hard floors like ceramics (with grout joints up to 8mm wide and 3mm deep) with minimal preparation, saving time and installation costs.

A key differentiator is the integrated acoustic backing. This specialist layer delivers impressive sound reduction capabilities, dampening impact noise (like footsteps or dropped objects) by up to 19dB. This significantly enhances comfort in multi-level homes, apartments, or commercial spaces, creating quieter and more peaceful environments. The overall construction results in a floor that feels solid and comfortable underfoot.

Gerflor’s Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic collection boasts a wide array of authentic designs, thanks to their 4D Design technology. This involves high-definition printing combined with structured embossing that follows the pattern, creating incredibly realistic wood grain textures and stone surface effects. Whether you desire the warm look of oak planks or the cool elegance of stone tiles, this range offers diverse options to complement any interior style. The planks and tiles feature micro-bevelled edges for added definition and authenticity.

Practicality is central to the design. The surface is treated with Gerflor’s patented Protecshield™ technology. This polyurethane layer provides superior resistance against scratches, scuffs, and stains, ensuring the floor maintains its appearance even in busy households or light commercial areas. It also makes cleaning effortless – regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a neutral detergent are all that’s needed. Furthermore, the flooring is 100% waterproof, making it an excellent choice for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, and entrance halls. Installation is streamlined thanks to the angle-angle interlocking system, allowing for quick, glueless floating installation, ideal for renovation projects.

Gerflor also prioritises environmental responsibility. Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic is phthalate-free, achieves low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions ratings for better indoor air quality, and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life, contributing to a more sustainable building approach.

Gerflor Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic Buying Guide

Choosing the right flooring involves considering various factors. This guide helps you determine if Gerflor Creation 55 Rigid Acoustic LVT is the ideal choice for your project:

• Room usage / Location: Highly versatile, its waterproof nature and durability make it suitable for almost any room, including living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility areas. Its Class 33/42 rating also makes it suitable for moderate-traffic commercial spaces like offices, small shops, or hotel rooms. The acoustic backing is particularly beneficial for upstairs rooms, apartments, or open-plan living areas.
• Lifestyle: Perfect for busy households with children or pets due to its excellent scratch and stain resistance (Protecshield™ surface) and ease of cleaning. The waterproof quality offers peace of mind against spills. Its sound-reducing properties contribute to a calmer home environment.
• Budget: Positioned as a mid-to-high range LVT, it offers significant value through its combined features: durability, aesthetic quality, integrated acoustic underlay (saving on separate underlay costs), and ease of installation. While the initial cost might be higher than standard LVT or laminate, its longevity and low maintenance offer good long-term value. Contact Grosvenor Flooring for a specific supply and fit quotation.
• Durability & Maintenance: Engineered for longevity with a robust rigid core and a 0.55mm wear layer protected by Protecshield™. It resists scratches, scuffs, stains, and impacts effectively. Maintenance is simple: regular sweeping or vacuuming and occasional damp mopping with a pH-neutral cleaner are sufficient.
• Material Type Pros & Cons:
  • Pros: 100% waterproof, highly durable, excellent scratch/stain resistance, integrated acoustic backing (-19dB), realistic wood/stone designs, stable rigid core, easy interlocking installation, suitable for underfloor heating, easy to clean, low VOCs, recyclable.
  • Cons: Higher initial cost compared to laminate or basic LVT, requires a relatively level subfloor (though bridges minor imperfections), can feel harder underfoot than carpet.
• Aesthetics & Style: Offers a wide selection of high-definition wood and mineral designs with realistic textures (4D Design). Available in plank and tile formats with micro-bevelled edges, catering to various styles from classic to contemporary.
• Comfort & Sound: Provides good underfoot comfort due to its construction. The standout feature is its integrated acoustic layer, significantly reducing impact sound transmission for a quieter space.
• Underfloor Heating: Fully compatible with water-based underfloor heating systems, provided the surface temperature does not exceed 27°C. The rigid core ensures stability during temperature changes.
• Installation: Features an angle-angle interlocking system for fast, glueless floating installation. Can often be installed over existing hard floors with minimal preparation. Grosvenor Flooring provides expert fitting services for a perfect finish.
• Sustainability: Gerflor prioritises eco-design. This range is phthalate-free, has low VOC emissions contributing to better indoor air quality, and is 100% recyclable.