Polyflor vs Altro Flooring: Which Commercial Flooring Brand Delivers in 2025?
- Charlie Mac
- Jul 31, 2025
- 5 min read
Choosing the right commercial flooring is no longer just a design decision – it’s a crucial investment that impacts hygiene, safety, durability, compliance, and long-term costs.
In 2025, two leading brands dominate conversations in the UK commercial flooring sector: Polyflor and Altro. Both are trusted by hospitals, schools, retail chains, and corporate offices nationwide, but which one truly delivers the best results for your project?
Based on industry data, manufacturer specifications, installer expertise, and real-world commercial applications, this guide gives you the ultimate, no-nonsense comparison of Polyflor vs Altro flooring for modern businesses.
🧱 What Sets Polyflor and Altro Apart?
Both brands deliver high-performing vinyl flooring, but their construction methods differ significantly, affecting how they perform in real-world commercial environments.
Polyflor: Heterogeneous, multi-layer sheet vinyl with a structured wear layer, available in a wide variety of patterns and finishes. Heat-welded seams available for hygiene-critical areas. Designed for versatility and cost-effective fit-outs.
Altro: Homogeneous single-composition vinyl, with colour and texture consistent throughout the thickness. This means scratches and surface wear remain less visible, extending its visual life and making it ideal for high-impact, high-traffic zones.
💡 Visual Idea: Infographic comparing Polyflor’s layered structure vs Altro’s uniform build – highlighting key benefits (design variety vs extreme durability).
⚙️ Performance & Durability
Wear & Traffic Resistance
Polyflor: Tough wear layers handle most commercial traffic well. However, in narrow pivot areas or high-pressure points (e.g., trolleys and carts turning frequently), differentiated wear can appear over time if cleaning protocols or maintenance schedules are not strictly followed.
Altro: The homogeneous build resists long-term indentation and rolling loads, making it more durable in environments with constant heavy equipment movement, such as hospitals and care facilities.
Hygiene & Slip Safety
Polyflor: Available in R10 slip-rated ranges, with Polysafe options for wet zones. Heat-welded seams available to create a hygienic, continuous surface.
Altro: Industry-leading slip resistance (R11–R12), exceeding many safety regulations. Ideal for kitchens, clinics, and manufacturing zones where risk mitigation is paramount.
Both brands support professional welding and coved skirting, eliminating gaps where dirt and pathogens can collect, crucial for CQC compliance and public health standards.
💡 Pro Tip: Always specify welded seams in healthcare, education, or food preparation spaces to ensure full compliance with infection control protocols.
🛠️ Installation & Maintenance
Subfloor Preparation & Installation
Polyflor: More forgiving and easier to cut, reducing labour costs and installation time.
Altro: A harder material requiring specialist cutting tools and experienced fitters, potentially increasing upfront labour costs but delivering superior long-term performance.
Project managers should factor this into scheduling and ensure installers are Altro-trained for best results.
Ongoing Maintenance
Polyflor: Straightforward cleaning, compatible with most commercial cleaning products.
Altro: Offers detailed maintenance guides, ideal for training cleaning staff and ensuring ongoing compliance with strict hygiene protocols in sensitive environments.
🎨 Style, Design & Sustainability
Visual Range
Polyflor: Wide decorative choices – wood, stone, abstract patterns, and textured finishes – perfect for offices, retail spaces, and hospitality venues where aesthetics matter.
Altro: Focuses on subtle, functional tones, blending seamlessly into safety-critical environments without distraction, enhancing clean, clinical atmospheres.
Sustainability Credentials
Both brands score highly:
BRE Global Ratings, low-VOC certifications, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
Recyclable materials and take-back schemes reduce environmental impact.
For BREEAM projects, both contribute to credits for sustainable building materials.
Commercial benefit: Environmentally certified flooring can strengthen your ESG credentials and improve property value.
💷 Cost & Value: The Commercial ROI
Brand | Price per m² (UK, 2025) | Typical Lifespan | Best for | Long-Term Value |
Polyflor | £18–£28 | 10–15 years | Large-scale fit-outs, retail, offices | Cost-effective upfront, wide design flexibility |
Altro | £25–£38 | 15–20 years | Hospitals, kitchens, high-risk zones | Reduces long-term maintenance costs and slip/fall liabilities |
💡 A combined cost vs lifecycle chart would work well here to illustrate ROI visually.
👍 Pros & Cons Snapshot
Polyflor – Pros: ✔ Lower initial cost✔ Broad design range✔ Easier, faster installation
Polyflor – Cons: ✖ May show wear faster in heavy pivot zones if not correctly maintained ✖ Requires precise installation to avoid seam separation, especially in areas with temperature fluctuations
Altro – Pros: ✔ Homogeneous build for superior long-term appearance retention✔ Market-leading slip resistance✔ Longer lifespan under heavy traffic
Altro – Cons: ✖ Higher upfront installation cost due to specialist fitting ✖ Fewer decorative options for design-led projects
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is better for BREEAM certification? Both contribute credits; check individual EPDs for specific scores.
Q: Which holds up better under wheelchairs and hospital beds? Altro’s dense, homogeneous vinyl resists indentation better for smoother long-term surfaces.
Q: Do they both offer welded seam installation? Yes, essential for hygiene-critical areas.
Q: What kind of warranties do they offer? Most Polyflor and Altro ranges offer 10–15-year commercial warranties, provided installation is carried out by certified professionals and maintenance guidelines are followed.
✅ Conclusion: Which Brand Should You Choose in 2025?
Both Polyflor and Altro offer excellent solutions, but their strengths differ:
Polyflor: The budget-friendly, design-flexible choice for large-scale commercial projects where cost and aesthetics take priority.
Altro: The durability and safety champion, delivering exceptional long-term performance in high-risk or hygiene-critical settings.
Based on industry consensus, installer feedback, and real-world commercial use cases, either brand can future-proof your project – the right choice comes down to balancing initial investment, safety requirements, and long-term ROI. ✅ Polyflor Sources
Polysafe Standard PUR Safety Vinyl – Slip-resistant, BRE A+ rated product details, showing how Polyflor achieves sustained safety.
Forest‑fx PUR Vinyl Sheet – Highlights the durable, hygienic, seamless surface FIT for commercial applications.
Polyflor Environmental Brochure (BRE Ratings) – Documentation of Polyflor products' life-cycle impact and sustainability credentials.
✅ Altro Sources
Altro Safety Flooring & Slip Resistance Info – Official details on sustained slip resistance, R ratings, and commercial safety standards.
Altro Walkway 20 Datasheet (PDF) – Product specs, R10 slip rating, low-VOC compliance, and installation guidance.
Altro Stronghold 30 Datasheet (PDF) – High-slip R12, chemical resistance, 3 mm thick safety vinyl for kitchens and medical areas.
Altro Case Studies : Real life projects in detail explained.
✅ Installer & Industry Insight
The Flooring Forum: Altro vs Polyflor Discussion – Real installer feedback comparing material, installation effort, durability, and pricing—pulling valuable practitioner voice into the analysis.
“Altro safety flooring sustained slip resistance explains why risk drops to just one in a million”
“Polyflor Polysafe Standard PUR carries a BRE A+ rating and offers up to 60% life-cycle savings”
London Flooring Fitters have over 25 years of experience, with time-served tradesmen specialising in commercial safety flooring. We supply and expertly fit Altro and Polyflor solutions across London, Essex, Kent, and Surrey — delivering durable, hygienic, and compliant flooring installations to the highest standards.
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