Hardwood planks are a long-standing flooring option that offers unparalleled natural warmth. Hardwood floors might be financially demanding, hard to install and at risk to water damage, notches, scrapes, and other problems. There are many alternatives to wood that look similar to it, but at a lower price and with better durability. Luxury Vinyl plank flooring is a low-cost, virtually identical solution that can take on the wear and tear of an occupied office or home. They can be installed over existing tile or wooden, or on concrete floors.
Luxury vinyl flooring is a well-loved option thanks to its many features and favorable reviews. Suppliers now present a variety of possibilities. There are several similarities between these options, but there are also very important differences that can have an effect on the suitability for vinyl plank flooring in certain areas in the home.
Take a look at these attributes to figure out which vinyl plank flooring is best for you.
How to Find the Most Ideal Vinyl Plank Flooring
The very best vinyl plank flooring is bought for its visual lure. This shouldn’t be the only reason though. There are numerous qualities under the eye-catching exterior that need to be taken into consideration.
Different types of vinyl plank flooring
Vinyl plank flooring, at its most simple form, is a photo copy of wood grain printed on a PVC (polyvinylchloride) sheet. There are several layers to the PVC sheet, which can establish a huge difference in functioning and comfort. Vinyl plank flooring is available in several fashions and could be installed in several manners.
These range from 4mm for basic vinyl plank flooring to 8mm for more durable and high-grade solutions. While they are more pricey, more thick vinyl planks soak up noise better and really feel more comfy underfoot.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
The name “luxury vinyl plank” (LVP) is often used, and at times misleadingly. Vinyl plank flooring, in general, could be referred to as “luxury”, no matter its quality. It is critical bear in mind that there are countless luxury vinyl plank brands and to cautiously examine the lists of specifications. EVP (engineered vinyl sheet) can also be put to use.
LVP typically has 3 layers. A backing layer or foundation of vinyl and fillers, a layer with a stamped pattern (where the wood look is), and a layer with a clear-finish that brings proper protection vs scrapes, scuffs and staining. LVP install options fluctuate from product-to-product. However, you can both glue planks to the subfloor using a click lock system to hold the flooring in place (sometimes called a floating floor), or lay the planks flat in loose-lay format.
WPC Vinyl Plank Flooring
LVP has gained recognition but many individuals still desire the feel of a rigid plank in their hands. This felt more like a real wood plank. Enter wood plastic composite flooring (WPC). WPC flooring, a waterproof vinyl plank, has a rigid core of wood pulp and extruded Foam. It is light in weight and sound-absorbent and really feels cozy underfoot. It could be set up applying a click-locking system that gets rid of the requirement to use glues.
Vinyl plank flooring that is waterproof
Vinyl plank flooring’s waterproofness is an additional area that may cause confusion. PVC is the main component and it is waterproof 100 percent. Plasticizers are used in both WPC and SPC planks. This enables some versatility without breaking and helps to shed water.
Vinyl plank flooring may possibly be waterproofed in a considerable amount of cases, but some are only water-resistant. It should not really be used in areas with high humidity or frequent spills like restrooms and kitchen areas. Vinyl plank flooring that is water resistant will crack if it is immersed for too long. It may also be wrecked by flooding.
