Since its inception, technological improvements have led to significant advancements in vinyl flooring. These advancements have birthed the luxury vinyl plank—a sturdier form of vinyl flooring with infinitely more design possibilities.
But don’t let the name put you off. Luxury, in this instance, is not so much about price but rather the quality of the flooring.
You see, luxury vinyl plank, or LVP, can mimic traditional flooring materials like hardwood, ceramic, stone, and tile. However, unlike these traditional materials, LVP offers far better performance with little maintenance thanks to its multi-layer construction.
But those aren’t all the benefits LVP offers over other flooring options. Let’s examine a few more benefits you can look forward to when you choose LVP, including how:
- The best LVP offers superior waterproofing
- It’s cheaper upfront and in the long run
- Installation is easy enough to DIY
1 - Luxury Vinyl Planks Provide Unmatched Durability
Luxury vinyl planks are sturdier and more durable than traditional flooring options. This is largely thanks to their four-layer construction. The details of these layers and properties are broken down in the table below.
| Layer | Properties |
| The bottom layer (backing layer) |
|
| The central core (waterproofing layer) |
|
| The print layer (design layer) |
|
| The wear layer (topmost layer) |
|
With proper installation and maintenance, luxury vinyl planks can last up to 20 years. Their rugged construction makes them highly durable and able to withstand decades of use.
This key feature makes LVP a top flooring choice, especially in high-traffic areas like entryways and main hallways.
While some may argue that natural hardwood is better, it does require more upkeep in order to maintain the same longevity. Additionally, any lapse in maintenance will cost you dearly because natural hardwood deteriorates much faster than LVP.
By contrast, LVP requires far less maintenance, as we’ll cover below, while delivering the same aesthetic of hardwood and much better durability.
What’s more, you can choose between residential and commercial LVP to suit your specific application and foot traffic needs.
Depending on the brand of LVP you choose, you’ll enjoy impressive durability. For instance, Armstrong uses Diamond 10 Technology, which infuses cultured diamonds into their vinyl flooring to provide incredible resilience.
Find the Most Durable Luxury Vinyl Planks
Expert Tip: As a rule of thumb, vinyl plank thickness dictates durability, specifically, the urethane layer (the wear layer). Check and match the thickness of your LVP flooring to the amount of foot traffic where it will be installed.
See Also: Best LVP Flooring Brands | Luxury Vinyl Wood Plank Flooring
2 - Luxury Vinyl Planks Won’t Break the Bank
Unlike traditional flooring options like wood or stone, luxury vinyl planks offer more bang for your buck.
LVP provides you with the aesthetic appeal of wood (or stone) and much more durability than is possible with traditional flooring; especially in high-traffic areas.
That said, how much you spend on vinyl planks will vary based on where you buy them. For instance, if you source your LVP from a place like Home Depot or Lowe’s, you’ll likely pay the full retail price, if not more.
Additionally, you may have to spend money on accessories like underlayment, transition strips, stair noses, adhesives, tools, and the cost of professional installation. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of removing your old flooring first. These can all add up fast.
Thankfully, there’s an easy workaround—online discount stores like Floor City.
At Floor City, our knowledgeable staff are invaluable in helping you find the best solutions while keeping costs reasonable.
We also have partnerships with top manufacturers and professional floor installers who we’re happy to recommend. This means that shopping at Floor City could save you up to half the typical retail price.
Visit our online store to find a variety of waterproof LVPs like the one pictured below, and to get a free quote on the one you like best.
3 - Luxury Vinyl Planks Are Resistant to Water Damage
One of LVP's greatest strengths is its waterproof nature. Its vinyl construction makes it impermeable to water and most liquids, making it resistant to moisture damage and staining.
This waterproof nature also makes LVP an excellent flooring choice in areas prone to moisture, such as the kitchen, bathroom, basement, and laundry areas.
Expert Tip: There’s a difference between water-resistant and waterproof luxury vinyl planks. Water-resistant planks won’t be damaged by moderate amounts of moisture. You can use them in your bathroom or kitchen.
Waterproof planks, on the other hand, are more robust and will not sustain damage even when completely submerged (not that we recommend it). You’d simply have to remove the planks, let them dry, and then put them back.
Note: Only the best brands offer waterproof planks.
See Also: 100% Waterproof Luxury Vinyl Plank – Water Resistant Flooring
4 - Luxury Vinyl Planks Are Easy to Maintain
Luxury vinyl planks are resistant to stains, punctures and scratches thanks to their robust wear layer. This makes them incredibly easy to maintain.
These features also make cleaning LVP floors quite easy. A light sweep or vacuum is often all you need to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. In the event of tough stains, a quick mop using a mild cleaner and some water is sure to get the job done.
Brands like Armstrong also offer a floor polish for use in later years to help restore old luxury vinyl planks so they look good as new.
Visit our online store to browse our complete collection of luxury vinyl planks, similar to the one pictured below.
Note: If your luxury vinyl plank flooring is exposed to too much sunlight, you might notice a bit of fading on its surface. While this won’t degrade the flooring, it's wise to take note of the amount of sun that will hit a spot before installation to prevent fading.
5 - Luxury Vinyl Planks Offer Easy Installation
Luxury vinyl floors are incredibly easy to install. Typically, all you need to do is lay down the planks as you would laminate flooring, using the tongue and groove design which allows the planks to click together.
This click-lock mechanism makes for easy, fast, and DIY-friendly installation. However, depending on the scope of your project, you might want to hire a professional. But even then, the costs are relatively lower thanks to the simple installation process.
Home Depot estimates professional installation costs between two to three dollars per square foot.
You can install LVP on any surface, plywood, concrete, or even tiles. Just make sure that whatever surface you’re installing them on is smooth or well-sanded.
Any imperfections or flaws on the surface will appear as indentations and bumps on your LVP.
See Also: Best LVP Flooring Brands | Luxury Vinyl Wood Plank Flooring
Find the Best Luxury Vinyl Planks
Three brands currently manufacture the best luxury vinyl planks on the market. We like to classify them as the “Big Three,” that is: Armstrong, COREtec, and Shaw.
- Armstrong: We rank this as the leader of the pack when it comes to vinyl flooring because of their attention to durable, multi-layer construction. They use the best quality materials to provide unrivaled scratch, stain, and water resistance.
- COREtec: LVP from COREtec are known for their distinct four-layer protection for added durability and cork underlayment. The underlayment makes them quieter to walk on and greatly improves sound control, perfect for homes and quiet public spaces.
- Shaw: While Shaw technically owns COREtec, they still sell vinyl plank flooring under their own brand, Floorte. This LVP is known across the industry for its durability and vast style and color options.
Get Help Finding the Best LVP for You
About Floor City
Floor City is a locally owned and operated flooring store and a top supplier of luxury vinyl floors based in Vancouver, WA.
We pride ourselves on providing the best quality flooring products at affordable prices to neighboring cities like Portland and Aloha. We also ship to homeowners, contractors, and property managers across the country.
Here’s what a few of them have to say about our flooring solutions.
“... I ordered material on Monday, and it was delivered on Thursday. Way better than other companies.”
- Melanie L.|★★★★★
“... They offered the most competitive prices by far … I can’t say enough positive comments about the ordering process with Floor City.”
- Laura B.|★★★★★
It’s clear that you can rely on Floor City to provide the best quality vinyl flooring from top flooring brands at unbeatable prices.
If you live in Vancouver, or a city nearby like Gresham or Hazel Dell, you can visit our showroom at 5909 NE 109th Ave, Vancouver, Washington 98662.
Our professional staff are happy to help you find the perfect luxury vinyl plank flooring. We provide free consultations, sampling, material selection, and even cost estimates.
Alternatively, you can visit our online store from anywhere in the country to place your order and enjoy easy pick-up from our vast distribution network.
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