When it’s time to remodel a home, one of the first things homeowners look to is new flooring. Increasingly, home remodelers are choosing to use Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring. This flooring checks many of the boxes you’d want in a flooring material, limiting the trade offs that must be made. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to evaluate this popular flooring option.
Composition and Construction
LVP is a synthetic flooring option, but it’s designed to mimic the look of natural wood. Unlike faux-wood flooring of the past, LVP manages to do this with stunning accuracy. Your home will look like it has real hardwood flooring at a fraction of the price and far less required maintenance. LVP achieves this through its unique 4 layer composition.
- Wear layer: This is the top layer. It’s a transparent coating that protects the flooring from scratches, stains, and UV damage.
- Printed Layer: Under the wear layer lies the printed layer. By using high-resolution modern printing technologies, this layer can mimic the intricate detail of the various wood options available.
- Core Layer: The purpose of the core layer is to provide stability and waterproofing. Located under the printed layer, the core is usually made of PVC or another composite material.
- Backing Layer: The bottom layer is typically made of cork or some other soft material. It provides a comfortable surface to walk on and a little soundproofing.
Benefits of LVP Flooring
For that hardwood look, you can choose between LVP, one of the other faux-wood alternatives, or hardwood itself. The unique construction and technological advancements behind LVP give it several benefits over the other options:
- Aesthetic appeal: Not only does LVP look strikingly like real wood, but it also comes in nearly any color and wood grain option you can think of.
- Durability: All flooring options are vulnerable to wear, but LVP is designed to endure heavy foot traffic. Even in highly trafficked commercial spaces, LVP retains a pristine appearance for a long time.
- Moisture resistance: Natural wood is highly susceptible to moisture. You must take extra care to keep it either waterproofed or dry. LVP is resistant enough to water that it can even be used in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Easy maintenance: The protective layer works wonders for maintenance. LVP resists stains and spills well enough to be cleaned with regular sweeping and occasional mopping.
Installation
LVP is easy to install and comes in a variety of installation styles to suit nearly any preference or skill level.
- Click-and-lock: This method uses interlocking planks to connect the flooring segments. It doesn’t require adhesive, making it a popular option among DIY enthusiasts.
- Glue-down: For greater stability, you can also get glue-down LVP flooring. This option requires the planks to be glued to the subfloor. It’s useful for the heavy traffic of commercial spaces.
- Loose lay: This method is the most simple. The planks are simply laid on the floor with no adhesive or interlocking mechanisms. They’re held in place by their weight and friction.
Browse Contemporary Flooring Options at Builders
If it’s time to remodel your house, or build a new one, our flooring selection will provide you with everything you need. If we don’t have it in stock, we can order it for you. You’ll find a selection of LVP flooring and other flooring types, all from the most popular brands. While you’re here, pick up everything else you need for your remodel; from raw materials like lumber and drywall to an exquisite selection of windows and doors, we have the supplies for a successful remodel.
