What You Need to Know About Luxury Vinyl Flooring

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. 

Luxury Vinyl Flooring 101 For Homeowners   

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.

What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring Made Of? 

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: 

• UV coating - This is the top layer which mostly consists of a glossy coating that provides protection against sunlight, discoloration, and scratches. 
• Wear layer - This is another clear layer that’s applied on the top of the vinyl plank to protect its hard surface and the decorative layer. This helps the flooring material withstand natural wear and tear and lengthen its lifespan. 
• Decor or print layer - This layer provides the design and texture of the vinyl plank. 
• Rigid core layer - Luxury vinyl floors are known for their rigid core material that increases its resilience and allows it to be installed using a tongue-and-groove system. It can be made of wood plastic composite (WPC) which is mixed with thermoplastics, solid polymer (SPC), or 100% hardened vinyl. 
• Foam layer - Also known as the backing layer, this provides an underlayment for the plank so you don’t have to install anything to the subfloor. It also helps reduce sounds, insulate floors, and provide overall comfort when walking. 

How Does Luxury Vinyl Differ From Other Types of Vinyl Floors?

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

Advantages of Using Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring 

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: 

1) Resilient flooring option 

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. 

2) Can last for years 

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. 

3) Has a wide range of styles 

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. 

4) Warm and comfortable to the bare feet 

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. 

Factors to Consider Before Installing Luxury Vinyl Floors 

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: 

• Room Size: The most vital step in planning for your home flooring is to take the measurements of your room. This will help determine which plank or tile size you’ll get for your space. Choosing the right size of luxury vinyl floor can affect your room’s overall aesthetic appeal and feel. 
• Room Environment: It’s also important to take note of the circumstances and environment of the room. Although luxury vinyl floors are highly durable, constant scratching, sunlight exposure, and water damage may shorten its lifespan. 
• Durability and Thickness: You should also consider the foot traffic in the room where you’ll place the luxury vinyl floors. Areas with high activity and movement may require thicker layers for increased durability. 
• Subfloor: You should also check if you’d need additional support for the vinyl flooring. If there are damages on the subfloor, make sure to fix them before installing your new luxury vinyl planks. 

Steps for Installing Luxury Vinyl Plank 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: 

• Inspect and prepare the subfloor: Check for any loose areas in your existing subfloor before installing the luxury vinyl planks. Make sure to repair the problem and clean and even out the surface prior to placing the flooring material. 
• Identify a starting point: Determine the layout and direction where your new floors will run. Once you have selected a starting point, mark it along the subfloor to guide your installation. 
• Place the planks or tiles: Most luxury vinyl floors can be put together with a glue down or tongue and groove system. Put one plank at a time and use your rubber mallet to secure each joint. If you run into edges or corners, use your knife and pliers to break the piece off. 
• Add finishing touches: If there are gaps between your vinyl floor and wall, you can add baseboards to hide them. You can also apply putty into any holes or paint over the nails that you used to secure the baseboards. 

How to Keep Your Luxury Vinyl Floors in Good Condition 

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: 

• Regularly sweep or vacuum the floors to remove unwanted dirt and debris.
• Use a soft cloth or mop when wiping water spills on the floors. 
• Avoid walking over the floors while wearing high heels or sports cleats. 
• Avoid waxing the floors since they can ruin the shiny coating of the luxury vinyl planks. 
• Place area rugs on vinyl flooring to minimize scratches from furniture and other sharp objects. 

Trust the Professionals at Zothex for Your Home Flooring Project 

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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