By profloors profloors
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October 18, 2021
If you pay any attention to the numerous home renovation shows on television, then you know that almost always the flooring is going to be Luxury Vinyl Planks or Tiles. But what is it and why is it so popular? Most of the time you will see the abbreviations of LVP and LVT. The LV stands for ‘Luxury Vinyl’. The P stands for ‘plank’, meaning the surface print will look like wood. The T stands for ‘tile’, meaning they will have a tile or stone appearance. There is a wide range of LVT/LVP products available, from inexpensive to high end. Some of the factors that influence pricing include: Glue down vs floating/click planks Thickness/layers Waterproof vs water resistant Sound proofing You will be surprised how realistic LVT/LVP products look, even the thin, glue-down versions. For residential installations, the majority are the floating, click planks which have more layers and are usually waterproof. (Note that for homes that need wheelchair access, glue-down is preferred.) Looks and feel very real – It’s incredible how real LVT/LVP looks, especially wood patterned planks. Many people mistake it for hardwood or laminate. There is often a textural element, making them feel more like a real wood floor. Waterproof – A majority of LVT/LVP products are marked as waterproof, making them an exceptional choice for wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries. Keep in mind that “waterproof” covers such things as spills or a rare overflow, but will not cover an all-out flooding situation. Installs on top of virtually any surface - LVT/LVP can go on top of concrete, plywood and tile. It can also go on top of a radiant heat system. This will be determined by the condition of the flooring it will cover. In some cases, demolition of the old flooring may still be required. Factors for demo would be the condition of the flooring, whether it is level and/or smooth, and if there is a height difference up to other installed flooring, such as carpet. Saves you money – Generally, LVT/LVP are less expensive vs hardwood or tile. And, should a plank need to be repaired/replaced, it is easier to remove and fix. Better insulation and soundproofing - Because of the thicker, layered construction of the floating LVT/LVP, it often has built-in insulation and soundproofing layers. Easy to clean - There are specific LVT/LVP cleaners available, such as Bona’s Hard Surface Floor Cleaner. You can also easily clean with just a steam mop and a spritz of mild detergent. Versatile selection – There is no limit to LVT/LVP choices. There are now thousands of choices that include pattern (wood species, tile or stone looks), colors, shapes, and plank lengths and widths. In summary, Luxury Vinyl Planks or Tiles are popular choices when taking into consideration price, quality, and versatility.