Hear the words “vinyl flooring,” and you may think of the artificial-looking sheet vinyl of the 1970s, but think again. Today’s luxury vinyl flooring is a different, more durable product that is still cost-effective but successfully mimics the look of natural materials like wood or stone. Here’s our primer on luxury vinyl flooring.
Two basic types of vinyl flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring, now the second most popular choice after hardwood, comes in planks (LVP) and tiles (LVT). Planks mimic hardwood flooring, while tiles are manufactured to look like stone, marble, slate, concrete, ceramic, porcelain or parquet.
LVP and LVT both have multiple layers. The core of the flooring is made of vinyl mixed with a stabilizer. Some products have a cork or felt layer beneath the core to add comfort and sound reduction. The clear top coat is known as the “wear layer,” which should be eight to twelve millimeters thick.
Most luxury vinyl products are waterproof. This makes them great choices for rooms like kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, entries and basements. And both LVP and LVT can often “float” over existing flooring, making for easy installation. Other LVP and LVT products are installed with glue.
Durable, cost-effective and easy to maintain
- Luxury vinyl flooring is more durable than many other choices, including hardwood and laminate. Though not indestructible, LVP and LVT do not easily scratch or dent, so these floors work well in high-traffic areas. You can prevent damage to luxury vinyl floors by using felt protectors on furniture and keeping pet nails trimmed.
- LVP and LVT are cost-effective compared to other flooring. The average price of luxury vinyl flooring is $2 to $5 per square foot. That makes it a bargain compared to installing hardwood, which averages $6 to $12.
- Luxury vinyl flooring is easier to maintain than many other types of flooring. It requires no waxing or sealing. Maintenance is a simple matter of regularly sweeping, vacuuming or damp-mopping the floor. What’s more, unlike many other flooring options, you can replace individual planks or tiles if they fade or are damaged. It’s a good idea to buy more planks or tiles than you initially need to keep on hand for this purpose.
