Time to shed some light on a new flooring product called Luxury Vinyl Plank, or LVP/LVT for short. There is a stigma with vinyl that I hope we can overcome but I want to say this: Mother Nature is still the best designer, and if you are comfortable with the maintenance and variations in natural wood and stone products, go ahead and purchase real hardwood and stone.
For those who are after more function and consistency, but still want a wood or tile look, LVT/LVP can be the answer. LVT/LVP is a PVC product with a high-res picture and wear layer built into the product. There are many brands and many different construction methods but for the most part you’re looking at four to five layers, UV coating, wear layer, printed paper design, PVC solid vinyl core and finally, a PVC balance bottom layer.
Okay, enough of the technical stuff, you want to know what makes LVT/LVP a good choice of flooring. Well, it’s extremely durable (can stand up to the grandkids, kids and that adult kid in you). Because it’s basically a plastic floor, you will not have to worry about household spills or that favorite member of the family having a little accident because you forgot to let him outside. LVT/LVP will handle anything your family can throw at it.
LVT/LVP has been used commercially for years; it was just never pretty enough for the residential market. The design technology has improved so much in the last 10 years it has become harder to distinguish between real hardwood and the laminates or LVT/LVP. If you can bring yourself to see past the word vinyl in the name, LVP/LVT can offer you the lowest maintenance flooring option on the market and by far the most durable flooring you can purchase for the home.
As a designer, I tend to use LVT/LVP in areas of the home that suffer from a lot of abuse. I have found LVT/LVP offers my clients peace of mind when they are away from home for extended periods or have a second home that they don’t want to worry about during the off season. I have also come to really enjoy the durability and, in my office, I don’t even use chair mats because the LVT/LVP is so strong you never see any scratches or damage from the furniture.
If you have any further questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email at chussey@theflooringshack.com. Please consider LVT/LVP as an option. You will not find a better performing floor on the market today. QCBN
PLEASE ADD NORMAL HUSSEY AND FLOORING BIO