A Quick Guide to Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

When you think of vinyl flooring, do you think of old-school floors from the 1970s and 80s? Do wild patterns, lots of harvest golds and dark greens, and rolls of vinyl that are rolled out onto the floors come to mind?

If that’s the case, you’re in for a surprise. The vinyl floors of the 21st century are anything but. Vinyl floors have made a resurgence and are an affordable option if you want the look of hardwood floors without the price tag.

If you’re considering luxury vinyl plank floors, read on to learn all you need to know about them.

What Are Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors?

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors have come a long way from the kitchen and basement floors of the 70s and 80s! Gone are the bright colors, questionable patterns, and rolls of flooring. In their place are sophisticated planks made to resemble wood?

LVP flooring is made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is durable and easy to install. It has four different layers, including the clear polyurethane coating on top, the print film layer (this gives your floors the color and look that you desire), the vinyl core layer (PVC), and finally backing that adds a bit of cushion and noise-canceling to your floors

Pros and Cons of LVP

As with any flooring, there are pros and cons of LVP that you should consider before making a big purchase. One of the biggest pros of LVP is that you can get styles that resemble pretty much any wood, tile, or other materials that you want without the high price tag. Hardwood floors are often 2-3 times more expensive than LVP.

LVP comes in a huge range of colors, textures, and looks and you can get vinyl planks, which are the most common and resemble planks of wood, or vinyl tiles, which are used to replicate a stone or ceramic floor. LVP floors are either waterproof or water-resistant, depending on what the backing is made of.

One of the main cons of LVP is that you can’t refinish it. Wood floors can be stripped and restained, but that’s not an option with vinyl flooring. If you want to change the look of your floors, you’ll have to replace them.

It also can’t be repaired, so if a plank or tile is damaged, it will need to be replaced. There is also the possibility of fading due to sun exposure, but higher-end LVP should be made to withstand sun damage.

Upgrade Your Home With New Floors Today

Luxury vinyl plank floors are a great option for you if you have pets, kids, or want to upgrade the look of your home without spending the money on hardwood floors. No matter what color or look you are going for, you can find it among the different LVP flooring options.

Looking for more tips on how to update your home? We’ve got plenty more. Check out more of our home and decorating articles before you go.

Read Also: 5 Essential Tools for Tiling, Flooring, Vinyl tiling