Vinyl plank flooring ( looks like a wood floor only made from 100% waterproof vinyl. It’s the most popular flooring in the industry today. It’s a floating vinyl plank that clicks together and requires less floor prep.
Vinyl has come a really long since it was originally introduced in the 1930’s. Many variations has been made readily available to all. Aside from the numerous options, most feel so real too. Most of the time, they mistakenly think that they are real hardwood. It also offers all the natural beauty without the pain of doing maintenance. These factors makes vinyl very durable, cost-efficient and it comes with an endless variety of patterns and colors.
Luxury Vinyl Plank or LVP looks like planks of hardwood flooring. Unlike sheet vinyl, they come in individual pieces that make them look very similar to the real thing. Most LVP are usually waterproof, highly water resistant if not.
PROS OF LVP
· LVP is really affordable and installation is a bargain compared to real hardwood floors. You could literally save as much as a couple thousand dollars when you use LVP instead of real hardwood.
· LVP needs little maintenance. LVP is made from reinforced wood which makes it so much stronger than real wood. And since it is water resistant, there is no need to wax the floor too often. You will never have to wax, seal or refinish some most of the time. Vacuuming, sweeping, or washing them with soap and water is the only thing you need to do to keep it clean.
· LVP is available in a wide array of designs. It comes different colors and patterns that mimic natural materials like wood, tile or stone. Whatever you aesthetic in interior is, with so much choice, there will be an LVP that would match your liking.
· Compared to real hardwood, LVP is softer on the feet. Standing on vinyl for long periods of time is easier than standing on real wood. ALso, things are less likely to break when dropped on vinyl because many models are backed with a felt product. Another thing is LVP stays at room temperature compared to ceramic. You don’t have to worry about having cold feet in the winter. You can even install in-floor heating underneath a number of vinyl flooring.
· LVP is easy to install. The majority of vinyl planks available in the market, can be installed DIY as they fit together very easily and will just lock in place. If you have unusual room sizes or a very difficult angle, you can simply trim planks with a knife so they can fit the shape that you require. Also, they can be installed on top of a tile, concrete or even plywood.
CONS OF LVP
· There is a possibility, given that the conditions are right, that planks can fade in the sun. If that happens it will be an eyesore in the long run. If you want to prevent sun fading, curtains and blinds will be able to help conceal the planks from the damaging rays of the sun.
· Unfortunately, LVP does not add much resale value to your house unlike hardwood floors. We all know that the classic traditional look and appeal of hardwood floors, are often preferred by almost everyone.
· Even though vinyl planks can last for a long time and are more durable than hardwood floors, it can still be damaged. Dropping a glass or moving heavy furniture can result in scratches that can be difficult to remove. If you do rearrange furniture, be sure to cover the feet with something like felt, or just lift the piece off the ground when you move it.
· LVP has a tendency to warp to any particles left under them during the installation. For instance, a trapped bit of dust could eventually become a bump in your floors. As such, you must exercise extreme caution during installation to prevent any particles being trapped on the subfloor. This can be painstaking, but the cleaning is well worth the final product.
All things considered, LVP is a very functional option for your flooring. It is easy to install, needs less labor, more durable, and is very cost effective. Aside from that, there is a wide array of designs from natural materials to different colors and patterns.