Do you need a durable hard surface that’s affordable, durable, and looks great? Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which is meant to mimic hardwood, and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which is meant to mimic natural stone, is a perfect option. Vinyl flooring has come a long way from the poor imitation wood and tile sheets from the 70s. While vinyl sheets are still around, we’ll focus on the new age, higher-end LVP, and LVT. The realistic look, resilient material, and durability make this hard surface flooring highly desirable for a wide range of situations.
In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile, as well as highlight the qualities you need to look for depending on your situation.
What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury vinyl planks are created by compiling four layers together to provide a well-engineered resilient flooring that is durable and easy to install
- Wear Layer: A transparent top coating used to protect the flooring against scratches, stains, and fading. Sometimes wear layers can be embossed or textured to add realism.
- Decorative Image: A digital print of natural wood or stone layered between the wear layer and vinyl core. New digital printing technology has made decorative images extremely realistic.
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Vinyl Core: The main component of luxury vinyl flooring, this high-density core layer provides stability and durability. It’s also waterproof or extremely water resistant!
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Backing Layer: A waterproof layer that protects the other layers from mold and mildew growth underneath the flooring.
The Pros And Cons of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Technological progress has turned luxury vinyl flooring into one of the most versatile surfaces available. Here are just a few situations where luxury vinyl flooring stands out.
Pros
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Can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of tile and hardwood while still maintaining quality
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Typically a less hard surface underfoot compared to hardwood, tile, and laminate
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Updates in print technology have made realism sometimes difficult to distinguish from the real thing
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Its waterproof or water-resistant properties make this surface great for kitchens, bathrooms, and other places where things can be spilled
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Cleaning and maintaining luxury vinyl is very easy
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LVP and LVT are scratch and indentation resistant
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The increase in digital print technology allows for a very wide variety of natural looks in all sorts of grains and colors
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The wear layer on luxury vinyl maintains the floor’s beauty for years
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Luxury Vinyl is very easy to install. If your existing floor is a flat hard surface, there is the potential to install LVP and LVT without any prior tear out
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If a plank gets damaged, you can pull it out and replace it with a new one. Just be sure to save your extra flooring pieces
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Luxury vinyl can also be static-free and slip resistant
Cons
Although luxury vinyl flooring has many positive qualities, there are still some potentially negative aspects you need to be aware of:
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In places with high amounts of continuous direct sunlight, low-quality vinyl flooring has been known to fade. Check to see if the vinyl flooring you’re considering has UV protection in the wear layer
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Unfortunately, most luxury vinyl’s synthetic material makes it non-recyclable
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Installing over low-quality subfloors without an underlayment can result in an echoing sound when walked on
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The quality of luxury vinyl flooring can vary dramatically and it’s important to go through a trusted retailer to avoid a fake look or short floor lifespan
Types of Flooring Vinyl Plank and Tile Can Mimic
Wood Look
Wood look vinyl plank flooring has a print layer of different species and stained colors of wood. Over the years printing technology has increased and the realism of wood look vinyl plank quickly followed. The addition of embossing, which will be discussed later on, has increased realism to an even higher level!
Stone Look
Stone look vinyl flooring is quickly rising in popularity, and we expect to see much more of it in the coming years. Just as wood look prints have become more realistic, so have a stone.
Luxury Vinyl Colors and Styles
There are few wood looks that vinyl planks cannot imitate. They can even portray colors and characters that can’t be done in real wood. They come in a wide variety of colors and shades. Whether you’re looking for white-washed or barnyards, there is a product that can match your needs. We’re excited to see further increases in technology continue to elevate its realism.
Stone looks were not nearly as common in previous years, but now you can find travertine, marble, granite, and many other types of stone prints, as well as bamboo and linen textures.
Different Vinyl Plank and Tile Textures
Smooth surface
Smooth surface vinyl plank and tile is usually a more cost-effective style. In some situations, this can work depending on the type of material it is mimicking.
Embossed Surface
Embossed surface vinyl plank and tile offer a new level of realistic textures to provide an even closer resemblance to the real thing by imitating wood grain. Certain styles can even mimic light texturing like wire brushed, distressed and hand scraped. Embossing can also aid in slip resistance.
Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring Core Composition
Composition of the vinyl core comes in a few options and is a major durability component. Most of them carry the same core qualities, but each core composition has its own unique benefits.
Stone Polymer Composite (SPC)
Stone polymer composite vinyl flooring is incredibly rigid (stiff) and tough. This type of flooring is more indentation resistant and stable in comparison to other types of vinyl cores. This makes it a great choice for heavy furniture and foot traffic. SPC flooring is also great for homes in harsher climates as its stone composition makes it less susceptible to expansion and contraction. Stone polymer composite is a 100% waterproof option!
Wood Polymer Composite (WPC)
Due to it’s wood composition, WPC is slightly quieter and softer than Stone polymer composite. If you have a room that echoes this can be a great option. Wood polymer composite also has a higher range of thickness in comparison to SPC, but both are typically offered in the most common thickness levels. Many suppliers will state that WPC is 100% waterproof, but because of its partial wood composition, we aren’t comfortable stating more than highly water resistant.
Traditional Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Your traditional PVC luxury vinyl is composed of multiple players of flexible PVC making it much less stiff than the rigid core products. This can provide a softer, more comfortable feel beneath your feet, but it comes at the cost of less durability and higher susceptibility to dents and scratches. A big reason why homeowners will gravitate towards traditional vinyl plank and tile is its lower cost.
Vinyl Plank and Tile Wear Layer
The wear layer is the second major durability component of vinyl plank and tile. It is the thin urethane veneer on the surface of each piece that prevents scratches and stains. So what is the best thickness for vinyl plank flooring? The thicker the wear layer, the higher the quality.
For moderate to highly trafficked areas, we recommend a 12mil wear layer at least but would aim towards 20mil wear layer vinyl plank flooring or greater for peace of mind. 8mil or 12mil wear layer is typically acceptable for low-traffic areas.
Vinyl Plank and Tile Thickness
Vinyl plank and tile thickness can range anywhere from 2mm to 8mm. Thinner may sometimes mean less durable, but that factor depends greatly on the core composition and the wear layer. Thinner traditional LVP and LVT will potentially show imperfections in the subfloor more than WPC and SPS. Both WPC and SPC’s stiff rigid structures can make them more forgiving with imperfections. You typically will not find a WPC or SPC plank or tile under 4mm.
Thickness is important to consider when looking at the flooring it will transition to. If the vinyl plank is thinner than what its transitioning to, you may need an additional particle board underlayment installed to add height and avoid an awkward transition.
Vinyl Plank and Tile Installation Types
Luxury Vinyl can be installed nearly anywhere! LVT and LVP are usually installed as a floating plank or adhered to the surface below. As mentioned before, if the existing floor is flat and level, you can install some vinyl plank as a floating surface without the need for any adhesive. This is only possible with click-and-lock and loose lay vinyl. If you have wavy or uneven floors, the existing surface will either need to be torn out or leveled.
Click & lock
Click and lock, interlocking, tongue, and groove, there are many different names for it, but they all mean the same thing. Vinyl planks and tiles are manufactured that click together making installation easier than ever.
Click and lock flooring has the ability to be installed as a ‘floating floor’ meaning it never has to be adhered to the subfloor. Don’t worry, high quality click and lock flooring are still extremely stable. Most click and lock floors are found in 5mm or thicker. This installation method is very favorable with do-it-yourselfers who still want a higher-quality product.
Glue down
Glue down flooring is a great option for high-traffic areas where a very stable floor is necessary. Although it is glued down to the subfloor, some glues allow for the vinyl to be peeled off and easily replaced through heat application. This installation method requires a bit more skill and it is usually recommended you hire a professional.
Peel and stick
These are among the easiest to install, but not necessarily the highest of quality. Each plank or tile comes with an adhesive backing that, you guessed it, is peeled and stuck onto the floor. It’s by far the easiest to install, but we would only recommend this form of plank or tile in low-traffic areas when you are on a tight budget.
Loose lay
Loose lay flooring is a viable option in areas with low traffic and the concept is quite interesting. Each plank has a backing that grips the subfloor and prevents it from moving. No glue is needed here!
Cleaning and maintenance
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the easiest types of floors to clean and maintain. Surface dirt can be swept or vacuumed away. For deeper dirt, you can use a wet mop with a mild cleaning solution. Just make sure not to let large amounts of water sit on top of the flooring for long periods of time. Although LVP and LVT are waterproof, water can seep into the cracks and damage the layers underneath. Vinyl Plank and Tile also never need to be waxed for maintenance like in the old days.
Let Us Help!
We know what you’re thinking. There are a lot of variables to consider! That’s what we’re here for. If you live in the Auburn, Kent, Puyallup, Federal Way, or Seattle area, Interior Motives Inc is happy to make the decision-making process easier by assessing you and your home’s needs and recommending the products that will cater to them.
Let us do the thinking for you!
