What is LVP Flooring and Its Benefits for Your Home
Homeowners today desire flooring options that are stylish and budget friendly. This is where LVP flooring comes in. Luxury vinyl hardwood flooring is an increasingly popular flooring option and alternative to laminate flooring.
LVP floors can look like real hardwood floors or ceramic tiles.
Vinyl plank flooring meets all the desired criteria for providing the ultimate luxury vinyl tile flooring in any home.
Learning about what it is composed of, how it’s installed and the many benefits that it offers, will help homeowners to realize this option is at the top of the list.
What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a synthetic material that is made up of multiple different layers. It comes in planks that look like real wood but is mostly made of PVC which is a type of plastic.
What is luxury vinyl flooring made of?
Vinyl floors are made up of vinyl planks made of a wood-plastic composite and high-density fiberboard, which consist of three layers such as the following:
A bottom core layer or backing layer of the sheet vinyl flooring provides the foundation and underfoot feel.
A pattern or design layer that gives luxury vinyl planks their realistic look and feel. This layer can mimic the look of natural hardwood, tile, or natural stone.
A top wear or surface layer that is transparent and protects the clear wear layer of the vinyl flooring from any damage, such as UV fading, scratches, and dents.
The Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Plank LVP
Water-resistant
As LVP is made of plastic, this means that it is water-resistant.
Scratch resistance
Hardwood floors will easily show scratches and dents after years of use, while LVP is much harder to scratch because of its ultra-durable wear layer.
Affordability
In comparison to other flooring options, LVP floors are more affordable and because of their durability and long life span, this means that one saves on future repair costs.
Durability
LVP is extremely durable and can last up to thirty years, if not a lifetime. It has been proven to be one of the most durable floors on the market as it resists stains, scratches, scuffs, and spills. Laminate flooring requires more delicate care than luxury vinyl flooring.
Ease of installation
When it comes to installation, many LVP floors can be purchased as vinyl planks, which easily snap together using a click-and-lock method, or one can choose a glue-down installation option. Both installation methods are easier than installing most types of several layers of wooden flooring.
Easy to clean
What is the best way to clean LVP flooring? One can easily keep their LVP flooring clean by dampening a mop in a mixture of a cup of apple cider in a gallon of hot water and mopping the LVP flooring in the direction of the planks.
This cleaning method will get rid of any dirt, grime, and stains without leaving behind streaks or a mess.
Design Options for Luxury Vinyl Planks
Rigid Core
What is the best LVP flooring? One of the most popular LVP products on the market is the Rigid Core Vinyl Plank. It is designed to look like traditional hardwood flooring and is made up of a combination of layers.
This option is a good fit for residential, commercial, as well as wet and dry spaces because of its waterproof quality.
Engineered Vinyl Plank Flooring
What is the difference between EVP and LVP flooring? Engineered vinyl plank (EVP) flooring has a rigid core made of fiberboard that is ideal for areas with minor irregularities in the concrete subfloor.
It also has a bottom layer of cork that provides cushioning, added comfort, and allows for sound absorption.
The difference is EVP flooring cost is slightly more durable and is easier to install because LVP is thinner and does not have the interlocking, glue-free installation method that EVP flooring does.
Installation Process: Luxury Vinyl Floors
Preparing the floor
When it comes to installing LVT flooring, it can normally be laid directly over existing flooring.
If there are any high spots, these will first need to be sanded down during the floor preparation phase to create a smooth surface as the underlayment for the thin layer of new LVP flooring.
When laying vinyl plank flooring over a plywood subfloor, all holes will be filled in with a floor-leveling compound and the existing flooring will be removed.
The importance of trims jabs and casing
Trim jambs and casing are needed for the installation process and are important to ensure that one can slide the LVP flooring underneath doors.
The casing is used to surround all doors, covering any space or gap, and also provides a decorative element in laundry rooms.
Laying the luxury vinyl planks
One should start on one end of the room, measure across to the other side and then divide that measurement by the width of one luxury vinyl plank.
When laying the vinyl planks one should start by laying the LVP flooring along one wall, working row by row.
Carpet To Go: Your Luxury Vinyl Flooring Expert
Are you still asking yourself what LVP flooring is?
Luxury vinyl plank flooring is a durable, easy-to-install, and affordable flooring solution that provides the perfect combination of style and affordability for any home.
Its composition provides one with a flooring solution that can withstand heavy foot traffic and wear and tear, saving one time when it comes to cleaning and repairs.
Call us at Carpet To Go today or contact us online for all your flooring products, queries, and needs!
