If you’re considering new flooring for your home, you might have come across luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. It can be a great choice among flooring options that will give you the feel of hardwood floors without the high cost and maintenance. Let’s find out what makes LVP a great choice for both new homes and renovations.
What is Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)?
Luxury Vinyl Plank is flooring made from vinyl; however, it simulates real hardwood or stone in appearance and feel. Unlike traditional vinyl flooring, which usually comes in sheets, LVP is designed in long planks that mimic the size and shape of real wood boards. The big difference is in how it’s made—LVP is thicker, sturdier, and much more realistic than older vinyl options.
LVP is made of several layers that work together to create a durable, attractive surface. There’s a clear top layer that protects the floor from scratches, dents, and stains. There, in turn, is a design layer, which is what makes LVP look like wood, stone, or even ceramic tile. Underneath, there is a strong core layer that stabilizes and prevents the planks from warping or bending. Each of these layers is fused together to provide a floor surface that, in addition to being aesthetic, is durable enough to stand up to daily use.
Why Choose Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Now that you know what LVP is, let’s talk about why it’s become so popular. Following is some of the main advantages of choosing LVP flooring for your house.
- Affordable
One of the biggest reasons people choose LVP is that it’s much cheaper than traditional hardwood flooring. Hardwood can cost a small fortune to install, while LVP gives you the same look for a fraction of the price. Even better, it’s often more affordable than other popular flooring options like stone or ceramic tile. Because it is so robust, you’ll have to do nothing but replace it rarely, thus saving even more money in the long term.
- Waterproof
LVP’s waterproof nature is one of its standout features. That is why it is a very good option for rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, as they can be susceptible to moisture for other flooring types. You won’t have to worry about spills, splashes, or humidity damaging your floors. Whether it’s a dropped glass of water or steam from a shower, LVP can handle it all without warping or staining.
- Easy to Install
If you enjoy tackling home projects yourself, LVP is a great option. It’s configured with a basic “click-lock” system that allows the planks to snap together, which means you don’t need glue or nails to install it. This makes it one of the easiest flooring types to put in. Even in cases where you can just lay it directly over your existing floor, you avoid the trouble of taking up your old floor. Most DIYers find they can finish a small room in just a few hours.
- Durable and Long-Lasting
LVP is made to take a beating. Thanks to its tough top layer, it can stand up to high traffic, heavy furniture, and the daily wear and tear of family life. Kids running around? No problem. Pets with sharp claws? LVP can handle it. Its durability makes it a perfect choice for busy households. Since it is resistant to scratches, dents, and stains, it will retain its look for many years.
- Low Maintenance
Nobody wants to spend too much time cleaning and maintaining the floor, and with LVP, you don’t need to. Basic sweeping and occasional light mopping with mild detergent are generally sufficient to maintain a fresh appearance of your floors. Besides, you can avoid special treatments or polishes like you would with wooden floors. Just clean it when it gets dirty, and you’re good to go.
- Comfort Underfoot
While many types of hard flooring can feel cold and uncomfortable, LVP is a little less unforgiving. It’s softer than tile or hardwood underfoot, making it more pleasant to walk on, particularly if you spend much time standing around, like in the kitchen. Others also note that it feels warmer underfoot, as opposed to the other hard floors available, which is a pleasant benefit in the colder months
- Stylish and Versatile
With LVP, nearly any look can be achieved. Whether you prefer the classic charm of oak, the sleek look of marble, or the warmth of rustic wood, there’s a style of LVP that will match your taste. It’s readily available in a multitude of colors, textures, and patterns, making it relatively easy to find something that suits the style of the interior of your home. And because it’s so realistic, it’s hard to tell the difference between LVP and the real thing.
- Quiet and Comfortable
Another advantage of LVP is its reduced noise level as compared to many other floor coverings. Hardwood and tile can enhance the footstep sound in a large room or a raised hall. LVP, on the other hand, absorbs sound, so you won’t hear every footstep as loudly. This can lead to a quieter and more tranquil atmosphere in the home to address busy households in particular.
Is LVP Right for You?
So, should you choose LVP for your home? It really comes down to your lifestyle and what you need from your floors. If you’re looking for a durable, affordable, and stylish flooring option that’s easy to clean and maintain, LVP could be the perfect choice. It’s especially great for households with kids or pets or for rooms where moisture might be an issue.
On the other hand, if you want the prestige of real hardwood or the unique look of custom tile, LVP might not give you exactly what you’re after. But for most people, the combination of price, durability, and style makes LVP hard to beat.
Luxury Vinyl Plank is an excellent flooring choice for many homes. It offers the look of high-end materials like wood or stone without the high price tag. Plus, its durability, ease of installation, and low maintenance make it a practical option for busy families. Whether you’re redoing a single room or your entire home, LVP is worth considering as a versatile, attractive, and budget-friendly flooring solution.
By keeping things simple, stylish, and stress-free, LVP might just be the flooring upgrade your home needs.
Ready to transform your home with the look of luxury at an affordable price?
Explore our wide selection of Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring options today! Whether you need professional installation or want advice, we’re here to help.
Call us today at (317) 272-4010 or visit our showroom/ schedule a consultation to explore the perfect LVP flooring for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can luxury vinyl plank be installed on uneven floors?
Yes, luxury vinyl plank can be installed on uneven floors, but it’s important to minimize the unevenness as much as possible. Although LVP can handle slight imperfections due to its inherent flexibility, highly uneven surfaces should be leveled with a floor leveling compound or additional underlayment in order to avoid issues such as the appearance of gaps or buckling.
- What is luxury vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) is a high-quality, durable flooring product made from synthetic materials that mimic natural flooring options like hardwood, stone, and ceramic tile. It consists of multiple layers, including a sturdy backing, a core layer, a high-resolution photographic image layer, and a protective wear layer on top. LVF comes in two forms: luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which looks like hardwood, and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which looks like stone or ceramic tile.
- Can odor penetrate interlocking luxury vinyl plank flooring?
Typically, interlocking luxury vinyl plank flooring is designed to be tight-fitting, which helps prevent the penetration of odors. However, if liquids seep between the planks and reach the subfloor, odors can develop if not cleaned properly. Regular maintenance and immediate attention to spills can help prevent this issue.
- How to clean luxury vinyl floors?
Cleaning luxury vinyl floors is straightforward:
- Sweep or vacuum frequently to remove dirt and debris.
- Mop the floor using a damp mop with a mild, pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for vinyl flooring.
- Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or cleaners that contain wax, oil, or ammonia, as these can damage the floor’s finish.
- Is luxury vinyl flooring toxic?
Contemporary luxury vinyl flooring are considered safe for handling and non-toxic (e.g., products meeting or exceeding a rigorous indoor air quality standard, such as FloorScore certification). However, when selecting LVP from well-known producers, remember it must be phthalate-free since some of the earlier or lower-grade vinyl products are quite likely to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- How to install luxury vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring is easy to install using the click-lock system, whereby the planks or tiles click together. Installation steps typically include:
- Preparing the subfloor by ensuring it is clean, dry, and level.
- Laying down an underlayment if required.
- Starting from one corner and working across the room, clicking each piece together.
- Cutting planks to size with a utility knife or fine-toothed saw.
- Is luxury vinyl flooring good?
Yes, luxury vinyl flooring is popular for its strength, water resistance, ease of care, and aesthetics. It is a great option not only for residential but also for commercial areas, especially in areas prone to moisture.
- How long does luxury vinyl flooring last?
Luxury vinyl flooring can last anywhere from 5 to 25 years, depending on the quality of the product and how well it is maintained. Top-quality luxury vinyl flooring with thicker wear layers (i.e., with a greater thickness of wear layer) tends to be more resilient and has longer lifespans.
- Is luxury vinyl flooring waterproof?
Yes, the vast majority of luxury vinyl flooring is fully water-resistant and suitable for wet applications such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, etc. This waterproof quality is due to the PVC composition of the planks and the tight locking system that prevents water from seeping between the planks.
- Where to buy luxury vinyl flooring?
Luxury vinyl flooring can be purchased at most home improvement stores, such as Brewer Custom Floors & More. We have a large selection of different colors and styles of Luxury Vinyl Floor (LVP) options that easily blend with your home interior.