Vinyl plank flooring is a popular wood-look alternative to real hardwood planks. Built from man-made materials, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are durable, affordable, and water resistant. Luxury engineered planks with WPC or SPC cores are even waterproof.
LVP floors are no longer the flimsy, cheap option you might remember from years and years ago. These days, people love vinyl planks for their versatility, quality construction, and ease of installation.
Are you wanting to know more about plank flooring options before you make any decisions? We can walk you through the research so you get exactly what you want.
You might already know different types of vinyl flooring such as rolls, tiles, or planks. Our vinyl plank flooring offers the best in low-prices and durability.
Our traditional luxury vinyl planks offer a four layer construction: a wear layer, a printed layer, a fill layer, and a backing. This option is low profile and durable.
Our COREtec and other waterproof vinyl planks are typically four layers: a wear layer, a printed layer, a waterproof fill layer, and a backing. The waterproof fill layer means it can be installed anywhere. It is denser, thicker, and more stable than other vinyl planks.
There are three types of installation: glue, interlocking or floating, and loose lay.
A glue down vinyl plank is a permanent installation. It’s great for high-traffic areas.
Interlocking, or floating, installation is an easy and affordable option. Each plank has an interlocking mechanism that allows planks to lock together plank by plank.
Loose lay planks do not require glue, staples, or any locking system to adhere to the floor. Instead, each plank has a backing that grips the subfloor. Glue or tape is used only around the perimeter of the floor. Loose lay installation makes replacing a plank a breeze.
There are several different patterns and styles to choose from. A wood look vinyl is very popular and can be bought smooth, distressed, and with color variations. Vinyl can also look like stone or feature patterns.
Different sizes of vinyl planks are available, including wide planks.
The wear layer acts as a bodyguard for your floor and is the first line of defense against scratches and stains. The thicker the wear layer, the less likely it is to show wear and tear. For commercial environments or rooms with heavy traffic, we recommend a thicker wear layer.
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is one of the fastest growing categories of flooring out there. Designed to look like genuine hardwood flooring, luxury vinyl planks are constructed of man-made materials to optimize everything you want in your dream floor.
Advances in technology have produced vinyl planks with convincing textures, waterproof cores, maximum durability, and sturdy wear layer options. You can pick from ultra durable rigid core flooring, easy peasy peel-and-stick planks, and everything in between.
Intimidated by the choices? Luckily for you, we’ve got all the information you need to make the right decision.
Vinyl Plank Flooring Pros and Cons
What are the advantages of vinyl planks?
Stunning visuals: At the high end of luxury vinyl planks, wood-look and stone-look textures are incredibly realistic. You’ll have a hard time knowing if it’s artificial or not.
Easy installation: DIY types will love how simple it is to install LVP floors. Simply peel-and-stick or click-lock your way to your dream flooring!
Low maintenance: Say goodbye to the hassles of treating and sealing real wood or stone floors. With luxury vinyl flooring, you can lay it and leave it without worrying about upkeep.
Super simple cleaning: If you have a damp mop and a dust mop, then you’ve got everything you need to keep your vinyl planks looking brand new and beautiful.
What are the drawbacks of vinyl planks?
You get what you pay for: WPC and SPC vinyl planks have a higher price tag than some other flooring options, but that comes with some big benefits. If you cut costs and purchase a cheaper plank option, it likely won’t be waterproof or quite as durable.
Not the real material: If the authenticity of your floor is important to you, then choosing wood-look or stone-look won’t be enough, no matter how realistic it appears.
Types of Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
When it comes to installation, there are a few different types of vinyl plank, and it’s important to know the difference as you make your flooring decision.
Depending on how you plan to use your floor, and how easily you want to install it, you’ll find that one type of vinyl planks suits your needs better than the others.
Searching for vinyl plank flooring? We’ve got the deets. With all the information out there, vinyl plank flooring can be a confusing subject.
That’s why we’ve compiled the best information we have on vinyl planks. That way you can do less research and more shopping. Let’s get started!
In this buying guide, we’ll discuss the benefits of vinyl plank flooring options, their types, styles, and how to install them. This is your go-to spot to learn all things “vinyl plank.”
Luxury vinyl planks are at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to trendy flooring. Boasting the hottest colors, latest textures, and stylish layouts, LVP flooring has a little something for everyone.
Ever wondered how vinyl is distinct from laminate? They might look similar, but differences in construction influence their durability and range of use.
Use: Vinyl can thrive in all levels and rooms of the home, including bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
DIY friendliness: Both laminate and vinyl are simple and easy to install.
Moisture resistance: Waterproof vinyl is 100% waterproof from bottom to top. Meanwhile, laminate only offers a basic water resistance from top to bottom, and it can get damaged if liquid gets in through the interlock/seam.
Learn the difference between vinyl and laminate flooring, the pros and cons of each and how to make the best decision for your home with our Laminate vs Vinyl Flooring showdown.
Some people think linoleum and vinyl are the same thing, and that can lead to confusion while shopping. Modern vinyl floors look far different from the old-school linoleum they once resembled. More importantly, these two floors are constructed differently, so they offer different levels of performance.
Appearance: Vinyl comes with more style and color options, and it also offers more convincing wood-look and stone-look textures.
Use: Linoleum doesn’t do well in moisture-prone areas, but many vinyl planks are 100% waterproof, making it a great floor for any room of the house.
Maintenance: Vinyl flooring is low maintenance, requiring a basic sweep and mop to stay beautiful.
Discover the crucial differences between linoleum vs vinyl flooring in this in-depth guide.
