The right pad does wonders: it can significantly extend the life of your rug, prevent dangerous slips and falls, and safeguard your LVP floors from unnecessary wear and tear.
Basically you want to avoid any rubber or latex backed mat or rug. Look for vinyl backed mats or rugs that are labeled non-staining or safe for use with hardwood floors. Natural fiber rugs would be a safe bet as long as it is colorfast and non-staining. Cotton rugs are good for the bathroom and kitchen.
Vinyl floors: the cons
With certain vinyl tiles, the attrition can cause the whole tile to pop out and require replacement. That's why it's necessary to use furniture pads and rug pads to keep heavy furniture and rugs from slipping and sliding and damaging the floor.
jakkom The ONLY reason to use a rubber-backed padding or rug is for waterproofing, such as outdoor mats or garage/shed areas that have concrete floors. Indoor rugs of any fiber will not hurt your LVP. We've used everything from cheap bathroom runners to handmade wool or silk rugs and never had any issues.
when it comes to picking a rug pad for vinyl flooring, be sure to go for one with either a felt, soybean oil-based polymer blend, or viscoelastic memory foam backing. Avoid synthetic rubbers at all costs, as they're certain to ruin your floor.
As we said, natural fiber rugs such as cotton, sea grass, sisal, jute and wool are safe to use on vinyl. However, you must put a rug pad underneath to add cushioning and avoid scratches due to friction.
Neither natural or synthetic rubber or latex-backed rugs should be used on any type of vinyl flooring. They can react with the top layers of the vinyl floor and cause discoloration or staining, potentially resulting in permanent damage to the floor.
Without a pad underneath to act as a shock absorber, the area rug fibers will be crushed, and the rug will show signs of wear much sooner than it would with a proper pad.
Synthetic Fibres: Rugs made from nylon, polyester, or olefin are typically safe for vinyl floors and offer a range of styles and colours.
Most LVP flooring is durable and does a good job defending against scratches, dents, and stains. To get the most out of your LVP you will want to consider what is underneath the flooring. An underlayment provides the proper support to make sure your LVP makes it the long haul.
Most non-slip pads that are recommended for hardwood floors are a safe choice for vinyl plank. The kind to avoid, which is rarely found these days, is the old plastic mesh type, which has a tendency to leave a residue in hot temperatures. Any kind of foam pad should be fine, however.
Even though vinyl flooring has a tough wear layer, it's a good idea to use a mat under desk chairs. Over time, rolling desk chairs might cause some wear and tear. It's better to be safe than sorry!
Choosing a vinyl flooring with rubber backing is ideal. Rubber features several properties that make it a quality choice for a long-lasting floor. Rubber is a strong option that can withstand heavy loads. It also offers valuable shock absorption that can help to make your floor more comfortable to walk on.
Material Matters: Opt for natural fiber rugs like wool, cotton, or polypropylene. These materials are less likely to react with the vinyl and cause damage. Avoid Rubber Backing: Rugs with rubber or latex backing can cause discoloration on vinyl flooring due to a chemical reaction.
Use a Rug Pad Using a rug pad is always a good idea, but it's especially important when using a rug on LVT. A rug pad provides an extra layer of protection between the rug and the flooring, preventing any damage from occurring. It also helps keep the rug in place and prevents slipping.
Why Choose Mohawk Rug Pads? Mohawk's rug pads are designed specifically for use with hard surfaces like vinyl plank flooring.
Cons: LVP May Fade in Direct Sunlight
This inconsistency in appearance detracts from the overall visual appeal of the flooring and limits where it can be installed in the home. Furthermore, fixing faded portions of a floor often means replacing those areas, which adds to its overall cost over the long-term.
Our Swiffer Wet cloths are designed with a pH close to neutral. As well, these cloths have been tested to be safe for use on vinyl plank flooring.
LVP floors are designed to be low-maintenance, but several factors can make them look dull over time: Dirt and Dust Buildup: Daily traffic can lead to a buildup of dirt and debris. Even fine dust particles, when left uncleaned, can create a haze over your floors, making them look less shiny.
LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are two different types of luxury vinyl flooring. LVT is vinyl flooring designed in a tile shape, whereas LVP is vinyl flooring designed in planks to resemble traditional hardwood floor planks.
Our recommendation is a product called Turtle Mats. Turtle Mat backings are Nitrile rubber or latex and are free of PVC and vinyl which means that the backing of the mat cannot mix colours and eventually discolour the floor beneath it.