Ten Things to Know Before Buying Luxury Vinyl

As one of the fastest-growing hard surfaces on the market, luxury vinyl flooring products have made it possible to get the look of natural hardwood and stone at a fraction of the cost. 

From the white oak look in your kitchen to marble luxury vinyl tile in the bathroom, the innovation of luxury vinyl has made the impossible floors of your dreams a reality for the everyday household. Luxury vinyl is the perfect stress-free flooring for your busy lifestyle.

Whether you're on the fence about investing in luxury vinyl for your home or you've already picked out your dream floors, here are some aspects of luxury vinyl that you should consider first. 

1. Understanding Luxury Vinyl Flooring Options

Before you choose your flooring, it's important to understand what exactly Luxury Vinyl flooring is and the different types of luxury vinyl floors there are to choose from. 

What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring (LVP) is a high-end vinyl flooring option designed to mimic the appearance and texture of natural wood. It offers the following features:

• Realistic Appearance: LVP resembles hardwood flooring, featuring detailed textures and grain patterns replicating various wood species, from oak to maple.
• Durability: Made from multiple layers, LVP is designed to withstand heavy foot traffic, scratches, and moisture. Its wear layer protects against everyday wear and tear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.
• Water Resistance: Unlike traditional hardwood, LVP is water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
• Easy Maintenance: LVP requires minimal maintenance. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping keep it looking new. Its stain-resistant surface simplifies cleaning.
• Installation Options: LVP can be installed using various methods, including click-lock, glue-down, or loose lay. This flexibility allows for DIY projects or professional installation.

What is Luxury Vinyl Tile?

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a premium vinyl flooring option that mimics the look of natural stone, ceramic, or porcelain tiles. It offers the following characteristics:

• Authentic Look: Luxury vinyl tile is designed to replicate the appearance of natural stone or tile flooring, featuring intricate patterns, textures, and colors. It can resemble materials like marble, slate, or ceramic tile.
• Durability: Luxury vinyl tile is built with multiple layers to provide excellent durability and resistance to wear. The top wear layer protects against scratches, stains, and fading, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Waterproof: Like LVP, LVT is waterproof, making it suitable for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
• Low Maintenance: Luxury vinyl tile flooring is easy to maintain, requiring regular sweeping and occasional mopping. Its surface is resistant to stains and spills, making cleaning straightforward.
• Versatile Installation: LVT can be installed in various ways, including click-lock, glue-down, or loose lay. This versatility allows for quick and efficient installation.

By understanding the differences between Luxury Vinyl Plank and Luxury Vinyl Tile, you can choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences, ensuring a stylish and durable flooring solution for your home.

What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring Made From?

Luxury vinyl flooring, which includes both Luxury Vinyl Plank floors (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), is made from a combination of advanced materials designed to enhance its durability, appearance, and performance. The key components typically include:

• Wear Layer: This is the top layer of the flooring and is made from a clear, protective coating of polyurethane or similar materials. It provides resistance to scratches, stains, and wear, ensuring the longevity of the flooring.
• Printed Vinyl Layer: Beneath the wear layer is a high-definition photographic layer that gives luxury vinyl flooring its realistic appearance. You may also hear this thin layer called the design layer. This layer can mimic the look of natural materials such as wood, stone, or ceramic tile with incredible detail and texture.
• Core Layer: The core layer is the thickest part of the flooring, providing stability and strength. It is typically made from high-density, waterproof materials. There are different forms of luxury vinyl cores, including:
• Solid PVC Core: Offers excellent durability and water resistance.
• WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) Core: Combines wood fibers and plastic, providing a softer, more comfortable feel underfoot while maintaining water resistance.
• SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) Core: Composed of limestone and plastic, this core provides superior rigidity and dimensional stability, making it ideal for high-traffic and commercial spaces.
• Backing Layer: The bottom layer of luxury vinyl flooring is designed to add additional support and stability. It is often made from a foam or cork material, providing sound insulation and cushioning underfoot.

Simply put, luxury vinyl flooring is composed of the same four layers that make up traditional vinyl floors or sheet vinyl. Luxury vinyl, however, has a stronger wear layer, making it considerably thicker than standard vinyl to give it a semi-rigid appearance. Luxury vinyl is sold in multi-ply planks or tiles that perfectly mimic natural wood or stone down to the grain pattern and texture.

2. Consider The Moisture Level of Your Space

When picking out luxury vinyl floors for your space, some things to consider include the following: What is the room's moisture level? How much foot traffic will this space get? If you plan on installing luxury vinyl in a room prone to spills or above-average moisture, like the laundry room or kitchen, you should opt for waterproof luxury vinyl. 

Many luxury vinyl options are, in fact, waterproof or water-resistant. This is one of the biggest draws to the hard surface, especially as the need for durable flooring expands. Want the look of hardwood in your bathroom without the fear of water damage? Looking to put an elevated stone look in the basement but need a softer, waterproof surface for the kids to play on? Luxury vinyl flooring has your back.

3. Use Luxury Vinyl Flooring Durability to Your Advantage

In addition to being waterproof or water-resistant, luxury vinyl is also highly durable. Able to withstand scratches, pet accidents, kid spills, and stains, luxury vinyl is a top choice for active families. More scratch-resistant than hardwood, luxury vinyl performs well for families with pets and can last up to 20 years if maintained well. 

Luxury vinyl flooring stands up exceptionally well to high foot traffic and provides superior stain resistance. Many vinyl flooring products available for your home have unparalleled durability, making them appropriate for light commercial use, too. You may have noticed a commercial building that has luxury vinyl plank flooring. 

4. Take into Account the Subfloors

The good news is that luxury vinyl can be installed over almost any subfloor! You can install luxury vinyl flooring over concrete, wood, and even existing vinyl. However, if you opt for the latter, you must ensure that your existing vinyl is in good condition and firmly attached to its subfloor. If the existing vinyl has texture or small, damaged surface areas, installing vinyl flooring on top might be tricky and lead to uneven flooring. It's best to consult with your installation expert so that they can assess your subfloor and approve it before installation.

5. What is the Best Thickness for Luxury Vinyl Flooring? 

Luxury vinyl thickness ranges from 2 millimeters to 8 millimeters, depending on the quality of the vinyl. It might be obvious, but the thicker your vinyl is, the higher its quality. Each luxury vinyl plank and tile has four to five layers that vary in thickness. These layers typically include a urethane coating (wear layer), a printed film layer, a vinyl core, and a backing. 

The most important of these five when considering thickness is the wear layer, as this protects the printed color and pattern from daily wear, such as scratches, scuffs, and dents. For households with kids and pets, you should aim to find a thicker wear layer, around 20 millimeters thick, as these are less likely to wear down and expose the print film layer. 

6. Ease of Luxury Vinyl Flooring Installation

The installation process for luxury vinyl is simple. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles are relatively easy to install using a click-and-lock system, thanks to advanced floor engineering. Since the planks and tiles are cut in a particular way, they are quickly pieced together like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Luxury vinyl flooring installation doesn't require bonding to the subfloor and snaps together in a way that locks out moisture. This type of installation is often called a floating floor because it is not actually attached to the existing floor or subfloor below but "floats" on top. 

Floating floors are commonly used with various flooring materials, including luxury vinyl planks (LVP), laminate flooring products, and engineered hardwood. This installation method combines practicality with ease of maintenance and durability, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial applications.

Even though luxury vinyl offers a relatively easy installation, hiring a professional is always best, as it can still be tricky. Experienced installers know how to avoid amateur mistakes such as subfloor fasteners sticking up and uneven flooring. They will follow manufacturer guidelines to keep your floors under warranty. Luxury vinyl flooring that is installed properly can last for many years. 

7. Impacts of Sunlight

One of the drawbacks of luxury vinyl is that it can be susceptible to fading, so when placing luxury vinyl floors in rooms with large windows, be sure you're also installing effective window treatments. Some luxury vinyl floors include a UV inhibitor that protects them from direct sunlight exposure, but these floors can still fade over time. The best way to safeguard your new luxury vinyl floors is by using window shades or blinds to block out some of those high noon rays. 

8. Drawbacks of Luxury Vinyl

While luxury vinyl flooring offers many benefits, there are some drawbacks to consider. One primary concern is its environmental impact; luxury vinyl is made from PVC, a non-renewable resource that can release harmful chemicals during production and disposal. If you're committed to reducing your environmental footprint, shop for low-VOC luxury vinyl from sources prioritizing quality and sustainability.

Additionally, luxury vinyl can dent or tear under heavy furniture or sharp objects, and repairing these damages can be challenging. Use furniture pads and rugs to protect the floor from heavy furniture and sharp objects. 

Finally, while durable, luxury vinyl may not add as much value to a home as traditional hardwood or stone, potentially impacting long-term resale value. For areas with high foot traffic or moisture, luxury vinyl might still be the best choice due to its resilience and low maintenance.

9. Luxury Vinyl Maintenance 

One of the biggest selling points for luxury vinyl floors is their easy maintenance. You only need to regularly sweep and vacuum them to keep them in mint condition. Vacuum or dry-mop your floor's surface to remove any dirt, then wet mop to remove grime. Be sure you're using soft bristle brushes and microfiber cloths so as not to scratch the surface of your luxury vinyl.

10. The Cost of Luxury Vinyl

While luxury vinyl is a subset of vinyl flooring, this surface type is still a significant upgrade, and the price reflects that. The price is comparable between luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile and relies on the quality of the vinyl. Vinyl planks and tiles that better replicate hardwood and natural stone usually correlate with price increases.

Compared to the hardwood flooring or tile products they often mimic, Luxury Vinyl Tile and Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring products are usually the more budget-friendly choice. They are the ideal flooring solution for practically any space in the home. 

Overall, luxury vinyl is a sound investment for residential and commercial properties due to its exceptional cost-effectiveness and long-term value. Its affordability compared to hardwood and natural stone, combined with its durability, makes it an economical choice. Its ability to mimic the appearance of more expensive flooring options adds aesthetic value without the high price tag. 

Now that you're well-versed in luxury vinyl flooring, you're ready to explore the beautiful luxury vinyl products offered at Carpet One Floor & Home. Explore our catalog or contact our flooring experts at Carpet One Floor & Home for a free estimate today.