What is LVP flooring and how is it made?
LVP flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride (or PVC). This is a special type of plastic that’s used in a variety of home construction projects. LVP has several layers, including a clear wear layer, cushion layer, embossed vinyl layer and a backing layer. Those layers are then pressed and melted together to form one finished vinyl flooring plank that’s durable, waterproof and realistic to the eye.
LVP flooring pros.
Do you visualize that ugly flooring that used to cover your grandmother’s kitchen every time you hear someone mention “vinyl flooring”? Get that image out of your head. LVP flooring is nothing like that anymore. Instead, it’s one of the best (and attractive) alternative flooring materials on the market right now. Here are the main reasons homeowners opt for LVP flooring:
- Appearance. Modern vinyl plank flooring doesn’t look like plastic. Thanks to modern designs and the manufacturing process, it looks very much like wood.
- Durability. LVP flooring is almost indestructible and can last up to 25 years. It doesn’t fade, it’s tough to scratch, and it’s impervious to water. Even your dog will have a hard time scratching up this floor.
- Maintenance. LVP is relatively easy to clean. You can use a dry mop, soft-bristle brushes and mild detergent to care for your floors.
- Design options. Of course, wood grain LVP flooring is one of the most popular choices. You can find plenty of colors that resemble different types of wood species (grey ash, brown oak, etc.). But did you know that you can get luxury vinyl flooring that looks like stone and tile? If that’s of interest to you, you may want to consider installing luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring.
- Easy installation. Vinyl plank flooring is incredibly easy to install. In high-traffic areas, you can install the planks using adhesive. Or, install them as a floating floor in places where you might need quick access to the subfloor. The planks click together, making it a good DIY project for people with patience, a little bit of skill and some essential tools.
- Cost. Fast installation means you’ll also pay less for labor if you hire a contractor. On average, expect to pay about $2 to $6 per square foot to install LVP floors.
LVP flooring cons.
Even the best things in life come with one or two exceptions — and LVP flooring is no different. So here are the not-so-great things about vinyl plank flooring you should always keep in mind:
- Quality can vary enormously. High-end LVP is very different from the cheap stuff. Talk to your contractor about the product you’re interested in, and make sure you’ll be able to avoid fading and discoloration.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Flooring products can emit VOCs, which harm your indoor air quality. LVP is no exception. Fortunately, there are low-VOC and completely VOC-free options available. You need to do a little bit of research and talk to a professional.
- Hard to repair. While you can replace individual planks of LVP flooring quite easily (as long as they aren’t glued down), you can’t refinish this type of flooring. When it’s past its prime, you’ll have to replace your LVP flooring completely.
- Resale value. While vinyl flooring can increase the value of your home (as opposed to carpet or tile), don’t expect as big of an increase as you would get from hardwood flooring.
- Dents. Yes, vinyl plank flooring is scratch-resistant, but you can still dent the flooring if you drop a heavy object.
LVP flooring is a good option for most homes — but it’s not perfect. Like with other types of flooring, you need to consider all the pros and cons before you commit.
Where to install LVP flooring.
Generally, you can install luxury vinyl plank flooring in any part of your home.
Room | Can you install LVP? |
Basement | Yes |
Bathroom | Yes |
Bedroom | Yes |
Craft room | Yes |
Dining room | Yes |
Kitchen | Yes |
Laundry room | Yes |
Living room | Yes |
Mudroom | Yes |
Outdoor areas | No |
Playroom/kids’ room | Yes |
LVP is great for bathrooms and kitchens because the water and steam won’t easily damage the material. However, you do need to be careful not to let water get under the LVP flooring. Standing water under your flooring (no matter what type) can quickly result in mold growth. So, be sure to use the glue-down installation process in these rooms, and prepare the surface properly.
LVP flooring can also be installed in kids’ playrooms, craft rooms where you might need to clean up paint spills and family rooms where you know there will be games of tag and excited dogs running around. Some people don’t like hard flooring in their bedrooms, but that’s always an option if you’re ready to replace your bedroom floors. Adding a few rugs for warmth and sound dampening is always a good idea, too.
Basically, vinyl plank flooring is an ideal choice for anywhere in your home where:
- There’s a lot of foot traffic.
- People aren’t very careful with drinks and other liquids.
- You tend to drop items on the floor from time to time.
How much does LVP flooring cost?
How much does luxury vinyl plank flooring cost? As with any building project, the answer to that is, “It depends.” There are tons of vinyl plank flooring products with varying price points. However, a ballpark rank for LVP is $2-$6 per square foot.
The labor and installation conditions will affect the final price of your LVP flooring. For example, a more complex install with lots of cutting and strange angles will be more expensive than installing LVP in a large square room. Likewise, the type of underlayment or preparation, whether the floor is glued down or not and many other factors will all play a role in the price. Even the size of the planks can impact the installation cost. Smaller planks will usually take longer than larger ones to install, so you might pay more to install the former.
Different types of vinyl flooring can have different lifespans, too. It might be better to invest in a more expensive, higher quality product that will give you 20 years of service than a cheaper one that will only last 10.
When you’re getting price quotes from contractors, ask plenty of questions about the installation process, such as, “How long will the process take? What are some ways I can lower the labor cost?” You should also ask your contractor if they recommend any specific LVP brands with reasons why.
Considerations when choosing LVP flooring.
LVP is a popular flooring option, and there are many manufacturers and products on the market. As a result, there’s a lot to consider when you’re planning your project. Keep these considerations in mind:
- What thickness do you need? Some LVP products are as thin as 2mm to 3mm, while others are up to 5mm. You can usually use thinner products in lower-traffic areas, but it’s worth choosing a thicker one if there’s a lot of activity in the area where you’re installing it.
- Printed or inlaid color? As the name suggests, printed vinyl flooring has the color and pattern applied to the surface only. It’s cheaper but easier to damage. An inlaid color goes all the way through the flooring and will retain its color throughout its lifespan.
- Floating or glued? Floating vinyl floors click together. There’s no adhesive, and they can even be installed right over an older type of flooring like tile. It’s a DIY-friendly project that doesn’t always require a professional. But glued-down LVP flooring requires a strong adhesive, making it more durable but more difficult to install (or remove). This type of installation requires a professional
- What’s the width? LVP flooring is available in different plank widths, from as little as a couple of inches to up to 11 inches wide. Most vinyl plank floors are 4-6 inches.
- Which color, pattern or design? Many colors and designs are available in several different product lines. LVP flooring is available in wood grains of different shades and designs.
Whatever flooring you do choose, always buy a few extra boxes of the material. You never know when you might need to repair or re-do parts of the installation process. Also, different batch numbers might not match, and sometimes, manufacturers discontinue colors and designs.
Use Thumbtack to install LVP flooring.
Now that you know the answer to the question “what is vinyl plank flooring” the only real question is: what are you waiting for?
While vinyl flooring might not be perfect, it’s one of the most versatile flooring options out there. It’ll stand up to everything your family can throw at it, and it’s affordable compared to other flooring options. So start searching for a contractor near you today.
FAQs
What is the difference between LVP and standard vinyl flooring?
On the surface, LVP flooring and standard vinyl plank flooring look pretty much the same. The difference is mostly in the thickness of the product. LVP tends to be thicker than regular vinyl flooring, which sometimes makes it feel better underfoot. It’s also a little better at dampening sound.
Is LVP the same as laminate?
No. Laminate flooring might look similar to wood grain LVP on the surface, but underneath, they are very different.
As the name suggests, luxury vinyl flooring is made from a special kind of plastic all the way through. Laminate, on the other hand, has a thin layer of wood grain material bonded to a base that is made from a combination of wood and resin.
Which is better: LVP or laminate flooring?
Both LVP and laminate are affordable alternatives to hardwood flooring. Both have also improved dramatically over the years.
However, while laminate flooring might feel a little better underfoot, it can’t come close to LVP’s durability and water resistance. So, if you’re looking for something that’s great for high-traffic areas, LVP wins every time.
Is LVP or laminate cheaper?
Luxury vinyl plank flooring and laminate cost roughly the same. However, prices for both products can vary wildly depending on the type of product you buy and the installation conditions. If you’re torn between the two options, it’s always a good idea to get a quote from several contractors near you so you can compare them side by side.
