Several factors determine the kind of flooring you use for your space. Whether it is beauty or durability you are seeking, you will find different options. It is easy to get confused and need help deciding which option to choose.
Luxury vinyl flooring has been the modern go-to option for many, with several people singing its praises. Are you considering LVT flooring? Then, you need to understand what you can expect with this flooring.
10 Things You Should Know about Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring
Wood is loved for its warmth. Porcelain wins out in areas like the bathroom and laundry for its moisture-resistant qualities. But, the high costs of these materials might have you looking into more affordable options.
Luxury vinyl tile is an improvement on the vinyl tile of yesteryears. With better wood engineering and design, luxury vinyl tile flooring has a more realistic look. Your vinyl floor tiles can easily look like wood, ceramics, stone, or marble based on your choice.
Before making your purchase, let’s examine some of the key things to know about luxury vinyl.
1. Luxury Vinyl Tile VS Luxury Vinyl Plank
One essential piece of information about luxury vinyl flooring before you get one for your space is the specific kind of vinyl you want. There is the LVT and LVP.
LVT comes in the form of a traditional tile with several design options. It can be installed to look like a ceramic tile or natural stone with grout and unique patterns. LVP looks like hardwood planks and has different colors, textures, and patterns.
So, you can choose between LVT and LVP based on how you want your flooring to look.
2. Layers of Luxury Vinyl Tiles
Luxury vinyl tiles are made up of multiple l layers. Each of these layers contributes to the hardness and durability of LVT. While the thickness varies, a luxury vinyl tile’s components are the same.
In the layers of luxury vinyl tiles, you will find;
- A top layer of clear polyurethane coating
- Designed print film layer (wood, ceramic, stone, marble,)
- Vinyl core layer (PVC)
- Backing for extra comfort and quiet
Make sure you buy your vinyl tiles from reliable manufacturers. The better the design of the LVT, the longer it will last.
3. Size and Usage of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl tile is usually between 2mm and 8mm thick. Despite the thinness of LVT compared to laminate (7-12mm thick), it has a high density and strength. The strength of a 2mm LVT is more than that of a 4mm HDF wood.
So, it doesn’t have to be thicker. These sizes will work well for heavy-traffic commercial areas with less disruption and stress. You can also use LVT for your house, office, studio, etc. Its unique advantages make it a perfect fit for several places.
4. The Affordability of Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury vinyl flooring is way cheaper than stone, ceramics, and hardwood. The sweetest part is that the flooring would still look like hardwood, stone, or ceramics based on your chosen design.
Where the average hardwood costs about $8 to $25 per square foot, luxury vinyl flooring costs about $2 to $5 per square foot. The difference is not only in the purchase costs but also in the installation costs, as vinyl flooring is easier to install.
5. Luxury Vinyl Resistance to Wear and Tear
If you want to use this vinyl tile flooring in your kitchen or living area, a major concern will be its resistance to wear and tear. Luxury vinyl tile is designed with a top layer of clear polyurethane coating.
This layer can resist scratches and movement. You don’t have to worry about the design fading out underfoot or damage from the furniture. Protecting your floor by using bumpers under your stool and table is important. Using sliders when moving heavy furniture would be best to avoid damage.
6. Ideal for Moisture-Prone Spaces
You can’t avoid water in the bathroom or laundry room from showers to drips and toilet use. But you can still choose to use luxury vinyl tile in these parts of the house.
Waterproof luxury vinyl tiles will look pretty in your bathroom or mudroom. These tiles can look like engineered wood or laminate if you prefer that design without warping like a wood can from the water.
7. Easy Maintenance Needs
Have you ever hated the idea of having to wax, polish, or seal your floors every few years? Then, you will like how stress-free luxury vinyl floors can be.
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