Limitless Design Options
While realism is certainly changing the way homeowners perceive LVT/LVP, the abundance of available design options truly makes this flooring a top seller. From popular gray tones in both wood and stone looks, to wider, longer planks that include hand-scraping and wire-brushing affects, to oversized tiles – LVT/LVP offers all the latest in flooring trends. To add more realism, tiles can be laid with a special grout that won’t discolor like real grout can. Or, tiles can be installed without grout for a modern, seamless look. For further customization, many top manufacturers offer design strips and borders to mix and match styles – a stone tile with a metallic border, or light wood planks with a dark wood trim, for example. The design options are limited only by your imagination.
Enhanced DurabilityPerhaps the true secret to LVT’s appeal is its durability. Average 1/8” thick tiles are made of several layers, including a protective top layer, called the wear or mil layer. Often topped with urethane or aluminum oxide for increased protection, this specialized wear layer makes tiles exceptionally resistant to scratches, scuffs, and stains – a plus for homes with small children or pets. LVT/LVP is also resistant to the chipping, warping, and yellowing that can occur with some natural materials. And tiles are naturally water-resistant, making LVT/LVP a perfect choice for areas where moisture is a concern. In fact, LVT’s dimensional stability and durability make it well suited for just about any room in a home. This resilience is often backed by manufacturer’s warranties of up to 20 years or more for residential use.
In addition, LVT/LVP is also softer and warmer underfoot than many natural materials. And many high-end collections include a slip-resistant layer for added safety in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
More Installation OptionsA great option for remodeling projects, LVT/LVP is easy to install over most existing surfaces. This is because LVT/LVP is typically thinner than most hardwood planks, stone, or ceramic tiles. High-end LVT/LVP products can even work well over radiant heating systems.
Floors can be glued down or floated (if direct sunlight is NOT present) – a relatively easy process, particularly for do-it-yourselfers. One caution: Before installing LVT/LVP yourself, check the fine print of the manufacturer’s warranty. Some LVT/LVP manufacturers require a professional installation and/or eliminate sunlit areas for “locking” products to validate their warranties. In the event you want to install LVT/LVP in sunlit areas (most areas of your home), you can choose the glue down product and install over a felt/vinyl mat which still allows for a floating installation.
Easy to MaintainFor today’s busy families, perhaps the biggest highlights of LVT/LVP is that it’s easy to maintain. To stay looking like new, floors simply require a weekly damp-mopping with ammonia & water or the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner.