Looks & Feels Like Real Wood While vinyl flooring is low maintenance and highly durable, as with any product, there are a handful of “cons” to be aware of. And it doesn't matter if your subfloor is plywood, concrete, or a previous vinyl material, LVT can be applied directly on top. One of the biggest drawbacks to laminate flooring is the way it clicks and clatters under hard footsteps—unless it is installed with a resilient foam underlayment. Other luxury vinyl floor options may require more effort. Unlike hardwood floors that can be refurbished; LVT once it's gone you'll never be able to find a replacement or an exact match. On the positive side, luxury vinyl flooring is more scratch-resistant than hardwood, and, with LVP, you can replace pieces if they get scratched. Luxury vinyl tile is more slip-resistant than most other hard surface floor coverings, making it the best option if your next flooring installation specifically requires hard surface flooring. 1.   Knowing the various styles of luxury vinyl flooring, and the pros and cons of the material will assist you making the right choice for your home. Luxury Vinyl Lacks Design Depth   Depending on the thickness of the wear layer, you can get up to 10 years’ use before it needs to be reapplied. Also, with the thicker/more rigid planks, it feels more like a real floor. The Pros of Vinyl Flooring The biggest advantage of vinyl plank flooring is the fact that it is 100% water resistant. Durability, much stronger than traditional real wood floors, Inexpensive compared to hardwood flooring. LVT is more resilient than any other flooring surfaces and will save you money in maintenance and replacement costs. PRICE OF RIGID CORE LUXURY VINYL. The top layer is vinyl, the middle is a high density core board, and usually, there is an attached back underlayment (e.g. Here are some of the things we love about vinyl flooring. As a result of the design being on a layer that is protected by the wear layer, luxury vinyl is actually resistant to scuffs and scratches. For this reason, engineered luxury vinyl is a great selection moisture-prone areas in the home, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and mudrooms. When it comes to distinguishing between installing a floating floor vs a nail-down or glue-down type method, it is imperative that you weigh the good along with the bad before making any final decisions.One of the most obvious advantages that a floating floor has over a non-floating floor is ease of installation. Despite the name of the product, luxury vinyl flooring won’t improve the value of your home in the same way that hardwood or tile does.   Waterproof – Yes, this is a huge benefit as it holds up to moisture and water. The biggest selling point of luxury vinyl flooring is … If not installed correctly, ceramic tile can easily loosen, crack, and must be installed with joints that allow for expansion and contraction. Dioxin Concerns 2. cork) for more cushioning. Commercial vinyl flooring lasts for years without showing signs of wear or tear, as it has a more durable wear layer, is thicker, and is a composite that is engineered for high-performance under heavy foot traffic. For areas such as basements, bathrooms and kitchens where moisture may be an issue, LVT has good mechanical properties and maintains its shape and size - unlike wood which is hygroscopic and absorbs and reacts when exposed to moisture.   Luxury Vinyl Tile and plank flooring styles change about every 5 years. Available in a plethora of styles and colours, finding vinyl flooring that’s suitable is easier than ever. is our line of luxury vinyl tile that looks like ceramic tile or stone, without the weight or complex installation procedures that will almost certainly require a professional installation team. Waterproof Vinyl flooring is easier to install. It’s also called composite, Pergo (which is a specific brand of flooring), or floating wood tile. Captures the aesthetic of hardwood flooring Remodel Works is proud to be San Diego’s premier bath remodeling and kitchen remodeling company. While vinyl flooring offers the clear benefit of being water-resistant, only luxury vinyl flooring can offer the added benefit of being completely waterproof. Nowadays, though, there are options available for “floating” luxury vinyl flooring. One of the most common misconceptions about LVT is that the design will wear away through use. become ruined just from moisture, let alone a floor or water leak. If you're shopping for a different kind of vinyl floor, then Armstrong's new luxury vinyl floors may be just what you're looking for! All vinyl floors release gasses into the air (VOCs) so this may not be the best choice for households where people suffer allergies or respiratory illnesses.   There are a lot of positives with luxury vinyl plank flooring! Below we outline the different types of luxury vinyl flooring available for you to choose from for your kitchen, bathroom and beyond. It used to be the case that luxury vinyl could only be glued down directly to a concrete subfloor or, preferably, plywood. And, you can often avoid tile rip up which can add a lot to your labor costs) For example, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has a protective wear layer, which means that, for the most part, it doesn’t need waxing or polishing, and instead only requires mopping and sweeping to maintain its as-new appearance.   In addition, floating vinyl flooring is much easier to rip up and replace. Luxury vinyl tile is also fairly easy to install. Cons of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring If you’re thinking that the 5 advantages listed above seem too good to be true, you should know that there are health risks associated with LVP. And perhaps the biggest differentiator of EVP from other vinyl or floor types is that it is waterproof. “Floating” means that the floor of the vinyl isn’t in any way glued or attached to the subfloor, but rather, lays on top. Most property owners will appreciate that LVT is a less permanent decorating option, especially when compared to the expensive demolition and installation process of wood, stone, or ceramic tile flooring! The next best alternative is to use wood that has b… The company also markets products under the Natural Cork and Navarre brands. Here are some potential cons of vinyl flooring. LVT flooring products by Armstrong offer an affordable option to wood plank, grouted tile, and natural stone - one that doesn't require vigilant watch or time consuming maintenance. Cost-Effectiveness . Because of the sensitive nature of some luxury vinyl, your subfloor may require a lot of prep if it is uneven or wavy. Pros. For example, check out Flexco Elements vinyl flooring. It can scratch or scuff, especially with heavy objects such as appliances. All-purpose cleaners will also help. Similar durability to non-luxury vinyl flooring, yet linoleum is more vulnerable to fading from sun exposure, or decay as a result of moisture. These pros are put together under the assumption that you are purchasing good quality vinyl planks manufactured by a reputable company. The Pros Of Vinyl Plank Flooring. Luxury Vinyl Tile has a wide range of design options and can replicate the look of natural stone or wood flooring, without the extensive installation or maintenance costs associated with either. It’s gorgeous, is extremely durable, is affordable, and it comes in an endless array of colors and patterns. If you are dealing with a particularly unruly subfloor, engineered vinyl planks will not line up well.   While the uniform, smooth look of luxury vinyl flooring can be considered a benefit, we’d be remiss not to mention the obvious “con” that vinyl flooring will be more slippery, and subsequently more a a fall risk, that some other floor choices out there. If investment value is an important factor in your floor choice, you won’t want to overlook this consideration in the planning phase. It comes in many colors, qualities and styles, but is one of the most expensive choices out there – the average hardwood floor costs between $8-$25/square foot, compared to luxury vinyl at $2-$5/square foot. With LVP, if you damage planks, you can easily pop them out and replace them.   Some brands of luxury vinyl tile will use glue or grout, while others lock together or have peel-off backing, but almost all provide installation for the homeowner. Another great option is COREtec Pro Plus SPC Flooring similar to LVT. Redoing your flooring certainly offers a range of options, from hardwood to tile, to vinyl, to carpet. Types of Luxury Vinyl Flooring Also, since the planks are thicker and more rigid, luxury vinyl feels more like a real wood floor.   While luxury vinyl flooring is incredibly durable, it’s not completely impervious to damage. And since luxury vinyl flooring is only growing in popularity, the number of colors and styles to choose from are growing every day. LVP Cons: Installation Sometimes Stinks. While vinyl flooring is low maintenance and highly durable, as with any product, there are a handful of “cons” to be aware of. With inspiration taken directly from nature, the Luxe Plank luxury vinyl (aka "Best New Home Product" in 2010 from This Old House magazine) looks like hardwood or stone, but behaves like an engineered material. Hardwood does not forgive an uneven subfloor structure as well as vinyl because wood can bend over … Here are the top pros and cons of luxury vinyl flooring. Sheet Vinyl flooring pros and cons. Alterna is our line of luxury vinyl tile that looks like ceramic tile or stone, without the weight or complex installation procedures that will almost certainly require a professional installation team. Laminate is made of 99% wood byproducts. It’s typically texturized and dyed, laid in a single layer over rubberized plastic. Of course, renovating on a budget means weighing the pros and cons of each flooring type and finding the one that sits at the intersection of affordability, durability and aesthetics. But with any choice, there are pros and cons to be considered before moving forward with this type of flooring. Multiple Design Options Another defining quality of engineered vinyl plank is that it’s much thicker than the typical glue down vinyl. Plus, vinyl is easier than most other types of flooring to install. One of the most popular types of luxury vinyl flooring is Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). Luxury vinyl flooring is much less expensive than hardwood, tile, or other high end flooring options. Luxury vinyl flooring is modern, beautiful, durable and affordable flooring solution that can stand against some of the most expensive flooring options out there. This may cause slips and falls when someone steps on the wet floor. This is one area that LVT manufacturers are yet to address. But the design is printed onto the film layer of the tile, and protected by the clear “wear” layer, which guards against scuffs and scratches, and protects the printed design layer against walk-off. Early forms of vinyl plank flooring were perfectly smooth, without the texturizing found in many laminate flooring products. Just because I am not totally head over heels in love with it doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize its benefits. We will compare traditional LVT vs hybrid flooring and outline the key pros and cons, so you can select the right floor for your project. Whether you’re looking for a modern gray or weathered woods and farmhouse looks, there are endless luxury vinyl flooring (and luxury vinyl plank) options to choose from. It is always recommended that you get a professional to install LVP, but it is very easy to turn your DIY project into a masterpiece with this flooring type. Not Impossible to Damage Perhaps the biggest “pro” of luxury vinyl flooring is that with it, you can achieve a near-perfect hardwood look for a fraction of the cost. Engineered vinyl plank is a preferred option for waterproof flooring, especially compared to laminate (or engineered hardwood) which can both Next Post →. In conclusion, luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way over the last several years and has grown in popularity as one of the preferred household flooring choices. Cost Effective Choose from styles that emulates the ruggedness of country-cabin rustic timber, the classic wood-grained warmth of finished lumber, or the modern elegance of polished stone - all without the high maintenance concerns or high cost of installation. Synthetic texture, not quite the same look and feel as laminate flooring and much less likely to feel as though your walking on realistic wood flooring. Discoloration. Luxury vinyl flooring bears some similarities to regular vinyl flooring, but “luxury” vinyl flooring (LVF) differs from standard vinyl flooring in its ability to closely mimic the look of natural materials, such as wood or stone. US Floors offers floating plank flooring and distributes to specialty flooring stores. Luxurious Flooring for Your Home or Business. It’s water and stain resistant because of the …   This means surface water and spills won’t affect the flooring. Cushion-backed carpet tiles reduce muscle fatigue by 24%, using the same cushioning technology found in high-performance athletic shoes. If there is a concern about moisture accumulation such as with concrete, then an underlayment or vapor barrier is laid prior to the flooring installation. As the name implies, Luxury Vinyl Planks look like planks of hardwood floors. Vinyl or synthetic tiles are a cost-effective solution for homeowners on a tight budget. LVT is the highest quality of vinyl flooring and is preferred by customers over VCT (vinyl composite tile) and natural materials because of it's texture and durability. Hardwood flooring can be installed onto a level wooden subfloor 4 or a cement foundation. Dioxin concerns     COREtec, Shaw and Armstrong LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile, the tiled version of luxury vinyl sheet flooring - a more resilient vinyl material that surpasses vinyl composite tile (VCT) in performance and appearance. When looking at the pros and cons of luxury vinyl plank flooring, you’ll notice that this flooring is extremely durable. This blog has been saved, please check your email to see it, Please enter your email in the form before saving this blog.   Cleaning. Homeowners will often opt for commercial grade LVT over residential varieties, especially for installation in high traffic areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, living room, rec rooms, and hallways. Here are some potential cons of vinyl flooring. Luxury vinyl achieves almost the same exact aesthetic of hardwood in a much more affordable way. Cons of Vinyl Flooring What is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?   Many of my customers mistake it for hardwood. Landfills 4. LVT is also manufactured as planks or rectangular tiles, and you will find that Vinyl Plank Flooring or LVP is used interchangeably with LVT - as both are manufactured from the same durable luxury vinyl material that simulates the look of real hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone. Vinyl is extremely inexpensive when compared to other flooring options. PRO: Vinyl floors are relatively easy to install. So, engineered luxury vinyl is a great selection for areas … The Positives of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring. No Long Term Value Luxury vinyl, especially engineered vinyl plank, looks so much like real wood that many guests to your home will inevitably mistake it for hardwood. 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