Luxury Vinyl Flooring, I must say I did not believe it when I heard about luxury vinyl flooring some eight years ago. Vinyl? Was that what 1970s kitchens were made of that peeled at the corners and never ceased to look, well, cheap? However, having fitted it in the kitchen of my own house, and having since seen it in tens of thousands of remodelings, my song has been altered utterly. It is not your grandmother flooring of vinyl – not by any means.
What Is It That Makes It Luxury?
The distinction between the old-school vinyl and luxury vinyl flooring (LVT or LVP-luxury vinyl tile or plank) is vast. The conventional sheet vinyl was a simple print on a thin and flexible surface. Luxury vinyl, however, is made up of many layers, including a photographic one that is extremely detailed, a wear layer that protects it, and, most often, a cushiony back. The thickness of the planks is larger, between 2mm and 8mm, with commercial grade planks being even less commercially available.
I recall when I went to the recently remodeled bathroom of a friend and had a real feeling that he put down real hardwood. Only after they informed me, rather proudly, that it was a luxury vinyl, did I stoop to have a closer inspection.
The Work Side: The reason why it works.
The appearance was not what I was really sold on, though. It was performance. I have dropped cast iron pans in my kitchen, I have spilled red wine, I have overflowed the water bowl of the dog more than once than I can acknowledge and the floor is almost as nice as it was when the kitchen was installed three years ago. That wear layer is not marketing hype it really prevents scratches, stains and dents in a manner that would otherwise have ruined hard-wood or even certain laminates.
The most significant game-changer is, probably, the aspect of the waterproof. Waterproof LVP (and most quality products are also completely waterproof, not rather water-resistant) will withstand standing water without bending or destruction. I have seen it put up in basements, which have a tendency to have a little moisture here and there, in bathrooms with children that splash water all over, and in mudrooms where wet shoes and umbrellas are commonplace.
Installation Realities
It is here the cost and effort perspective get interesting. Numerous luxury vinyl items have stands of click-lock systems, which hover over the under-floor. Over a weekend, I assisted my brother in installing LVP in his living room neither of us is a professional installer. It was easy to learn, the cuts were simple using a vinyl cutter (a utility knife would be sufficient, though), and we did not require any special underlayment as his product had it already attached.
With that said, I have also encountered hasty DIY work that is amateurish. The floor must be allowed to settle to the room temperature of at least 48 hours before it can be installed. The underlay should be flat even the slightest anomaly pierces vinyl more than thicker material. And carving round doorways and oddly shaped areas yet involves tolerance and care.
Most markets have professional installation that costs between 2 and 4 per square foot and frankly speaking, when it comes to large areas or you simply do not feel comfortable with tools, I would hire someone.
Where It Succeeds (and Where It Fails)
Some patterns have been observed in the different environments after viewing luxury vinyl. It’s genuinely excellent for:
- Kitchens and bathrooms: This is without question since it is waterproof.
- Basements: More resistant to temperature changes and any possible moisture than most others.
- Heavy traffic zones: The quality is resistant to high traffic.
Pet homes: Damage free and clean.
Rentals: Affordable with sophisticated appearance that would attract rentals.
Nonetheless, it does not work in all cases. Even the finest luxury vinyl may not be enough gravitas to be used in a formal dining room in a high-end house using antique furniture. The resale consideration also plays a role there, they are upgrading the acceptance, however, some home buyers cannot yet see it as having as much value as traditional materials. And though good products feel pretty solid under foot there, nonetheless, is a slight variation with the real wood or stone which is felt by some folks.
The environmental angle also deserves to be mentioned. Vinyl is made of plastic (PVC) and this poses a challenge of sustainability to some homeowners. Though those who make it have gone far in the reduction of phthalates and recycling initiatives, it is not as green as responsibly sourced hardwood or natural linoleum.
Choosing the Right Product
There is an abundance of choices in the market, and quality is vastly different. As per research and observation, the thickness of the wear layer is what counts in terms of longevity, i.e. at least 12 mil in case of residential use, 20 mil when you have large dogs or very high traffic. Heavy overall building (5mm+) is more solid and better hides the imperfections of subfloors.
Brand reputation matters in this case. CoreTec, Shaw, Mohawk and Armstrong receive pleasant feedback. I feel more suspicious of unfamiliar brands at unrealistically cheap prices- sometimes they work out all right, but I have seen delamination and fading problems that did not manifest themselves until a year or two later.
The Verdict After Living With It.
Would I repurchase luxury vinyl flooring? By no means, except in the right applications. It has been on the list of my default suggestions to anyone doing renovations of kitchens or bathrooms on a reasonable budget desiring the wood-look appearance. The durability, waterproofing, underfoot comfort (warmer and slightly softer than tile), and the realistic look have really impressed me after the many times I was exposed to it.
Is it perfect? No. However, in the majority of real-life living scenarios, particularly residential houses, pets, or humidity issues, luxury vinyl flooring is a performance-versatility-style performance and beauty balancing act that is difficult to match at its cost.
FAQs
What is the life of the luxury vinyl flooring?
Quality LVP can easily be expected to last 15-25 years under normal care, and in low traffic situations it can be expected to last even longer.
Is it possible to lay luxury vinyl on top of the existing flooring?
Frequently yes, over tile, vinyl or concrete as long as the surface is smooth and dust-free. Not recommended over carpet.
Is it easy to scratch luxury vinyl flooring?
Good quality and wear layer in products can resist much scratching, although in the presence of sharp objects it can be damaged.
Is luxury vinyl poisonous or not harmful to the homes?
New LVP offered by recognized manufacturers is safe, though some do not want to use PVC products at all.
Is the luxury vinyl flooring refinishable?
No, hardwood can be sanded or refinished, and the same cannot be said of plywood. Breaking planks have to be substituted.
