Your flooring choice determines the overall style, feel, and value of your home. If you want your floors to last for years with very minimal maintenance and repair, you can go for vinyl flooring. Most types of vinyl floors are inexpensive, but if you have an additional budget to spare, you can go for the premium kind which is luxury vinyl plank flooring.
So what makes luxury vinyl floors different from other flooring materials? A luxury vinyl plank is made of PVC resins mixed with limestone-based minerals and other stabilizing materials that provide durability and thickness. Most luxury vinyl floors are easy-to-install, scratch-resistant, waterproof, and long-lasting.
Over the years, plenty of new trends and styles have come up in the home flooring market. While traditional options such as hardwood flooring, laminate products, and ceramic tiles are still popular, the demand for modern materials such as luxury vinyl planks is also increasing.
The big demand for luxury vinyl floors can be attributed to one thing: price. Luxury vinyl floor products are significantly cheaper than wood, tile flooring, and carpet products. They’re also highly versatile and come in various designs and textures that can resemble natural stone, ceramic tile, porcelain, and hardwood products.
Most vinyl floors are constructed with one main material which is polyvinyl chloride plastic or PVC. This is a synthetic material that contains carbon, hydrogen, and chlorine. To create luxury vinyl floors, PVC is mixed with limestone minerals, plasticizers, pigments, trace stabilizers, and a carrier sheet made of either wood or calcium carbonate. These components help make luxury vinyl floors sturdier and more durable than tile and sheet vinyl.
Like most flooring products, a luxury vinyl floor is also composed of different layers. Here are the typical layers of a luxury vinyl plank:
There are three main types of vinyl floors: vinyl tile, sheet, and luxury vinyl plank. Although they’re all made of the same PVC material, there are distinct differences between them and each has its own set of benefits. Here’s a table to help you better differentiate the kinds of vinyl floors:
Luxury Vinyl Floor | Vinyl Composite Tile | Sheet Vinyl | |
Material | PVC mixed with limestone minerals and other materials | PVC combined with limestone, fillers, color pigments, and thermoplastics | Made of a continuous sheet of polymer plastic with a layer of fibrous or felt material |
Water-resistant capabilities | A great choice for water-prone rooms since it has multiple layers and a protective coating that makes it incredibly waterproof | Also waterproof but may not perform as well as luxury vinyl since it has seams in between the tiles | Another popular waterproof flooring option since it’s made of sheet plastics |
Maintenance | Low maintenance and easy to clean on a daily basis | Easy to maintain and repair since tile products can be removed | Repairs may be difficult since some sheets are glued down |
Installation | Can be installed on your own since the planks are easy to assemble and cut into pieces | Also a good flooring choice for avid home DIYers | May require professional help since vinyl sheets are hard to cut and fit on your own |
Luxury vinyl is one of the more affordable flooring options that you can install in your home. However, aside from its value, it also offers other benefits that make it a top choice for residential and commercial flooring. Here are some of the top perks of using luxury vinyl planks:
No other flooring can match luxury vinyl floors in terms of being water-resistant and scratch-proof. With its protective coating and wear layer, this flooring product is a perfect choice for almost any room with high foot traffic and activity. It’s also best suited for being prone to excess moisture and humidity changes, such as the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, and basement.
With proper care and maintenance, your luxury vinyl floor can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Its lifespan can also depend on the place where it was installed but generally, most vinyl floors are designed to withstand premature wear and tear and can maintain their quality and durability for a long time.
Luxury vinyl floors also have an excellent selection of designs, textures, and colors so you can customize your flooring according to your aesthetic preference and home decor. Some styles can give off a premium feel that’s similar to hardwood, real stone, and tile products.
Although it has a tough exterior surface, luxury vinyl floors feel soft to walk on because it has foam or felt backing layer. This layer adds to the durability of the planks and helps absorb the shock so it feels comfortable when you’re walking. It also serves as insulation to provide a warm underfoot.
It’s fairly easy to buy luxury vinyl floors since they’re offered in most home depot stores. However, there are important factors that you need to take into account to make sure that you’re purchasing the appropriate luxury vinyl flooring for your house. Here are some of the things that you should note when selecting your flooring:
You can choose to place your new luxury vinyl floors on your own or contract a professional team to install them for you. If you prefer to do it by yourself, you need to prepare tools like a sharp knife, rubber mallet, pliers, table saw, and metal straight edge. Here’s an overview of the installation process for luxury vinyl floors:
One of the biggest advantages of luxury vinyl tiles or planks is that they’re simple to clean and maintain. Here are some practical care tips for your luxury vinyl floors:
Luxury vinyl floors are a great flooring investment for any home. With its durability, water-resistance, and scratch-proof properties, it’s able to withstand the test of time and increase the value of your property.
If you’re planning to renovate or have an ongoing home remodeling project, our artisans at Zothex Flooring are ready to give you expert advice for your flooring needs. We also have a wide selection of different floor products that can suit your house. Call us today to inquire about our services or browse our website to check our catalog.
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