Luxury vinyl flooring is more forgiving than other types of hard flooring when it comes to installation on a subfloor that is less than perfect. If you attempt to install ceramic or natural stone tile on a subfloor that is not well prepared, with no bumps, blemishes, cracks, or warping, every imperfection will show.
Firstly, it can be difficult to install and may require professional help. Secondly, vinyl plank flooring is not as durable as other types of flooring such as hardwood or tile. It is also prone to scratching and denting from heavy furniture or objects being dragged across the surface.
While luxury vinyl flooring has come a long way from its creation and has increased in durability and visual appeal, unfortunately vinyl may decrease your resale value in the long run. It's important to recognize that while you may spend less on vinyl vs.
Vinyl needs time to settle. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before walking on your new floors.
Some manufacturers provide a click and lock structure, while others offer a glue in place method. How you install your luxury vinyl plank determines how quickly you can move your furniture back into place. If it's glued down, most manufacturers will suggest waiting 48 hours to allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
Vinyl flooring clearly is a better choice in high-moisture environments than laminate flooring, making it an excellent choice in bathrooms. But for whole-house installations, laminate flooring often makes sense because it offers a wide range of choices.
Luxury vinyl has seams between tiles or planks and so it is possible for water (though exceeding rare when installed by a professional) to seep through, giving standard sheet vinyl a very narrow edge over luxury vinyl for total water resistance. Both tolerate normal heat, such as direct exposure to sunlight.
These floors can resist scratches, scuffs, stains, and even a certain amount of gouging in their durability. However, extreme heat can damage the luxury vinyl plank. Some of the culprits through which heat damage can occur include hot pans, curling irons, dropped cigarettes, and more.
Will the sheet vinyl flooring trend last in 2022 and beyond? For sure, you're going to see sheet vinyl making a big come-back in the years to come. It's durable, easy to install, and versatile enough to come in tons of styles, patterns, and colors.
Wood floors are one of the best investments you can make. They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.
Greige and white oak are two of the most popular choices for hardwood flooring when it comes to house resale. They provide timeless elegance and neutrality, making them ideal for any home.
For a short time after installation, vinyl flooring emits what is known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are gasses that can have a long-term impact on your health and are also dangerous for the environment. They can be especially hazardous to those with respiratory problems.
Not Impervious to Damage
Luxury vinyl flooring is much more durable than natural hardwood. Yet, while luxury vinyl is resistant against stains and scratches, it isn't immune to damage. Luxury vinyl plank flooring is not repairable and will need to be replaced to remove scratches, scuffs, dents, and dings.
Vinyl plank flooring offers excellent durability
The excellent scratch resistance you'll find in LVP flooring comes from a protective wear layer that also protects against stains, scuffs, dents, and other forms of daily wear. It's the perfect option for busy rooms, especially with pets and children in the home.
Vinyl flooring is known for being resilient. This means that most vinyl flooring is water-resistant and very low maintenance, with long-lasting durability. If it has a wear layer, vinyl flooring will usually not stain and can survive plenty of wear and tear, which makes it a good option for any highly trafficked areas.
We recommend choosing thicker vinyl for added stability and support. If the subfloor are tiles, such as ceramic, porcelain or terrazzo, you'll need to make sure there are no loose tiles and that the surface is levelled. Thicker vinyl is recommended.
The one area where vinyl floors outshine hardwood floors in terms of durability is moisture resistance. Vinyl floors are virtually impervious to moisture damage, whereas hardwood floors will have to be completely replaced if they sustain major water damage.
Vinyl flooring, especially when installed with an underlayment, can minimize impact noise and provide a softer and more muted sound when walking or dropping items. Laminate flooring, without an underlayment, may produce a louder and hollower sound due to the nature of its construction.
Laminate is prone to scratches and chipped corners over time, so vinyl is probably a better choice for your home if you have pets. LVT/LVP is scratch-resistant, but it's more vulnerable to denting and tearing.
Durability: Don't let this confuse you - luxury vinyl flooring is still a very durable product. However, it is made of softer materials and is sensitive to scratches and gouges. Indentations from heavy items like furniture are also a concern.
If your floor is overloaded by heavy appliances or heavy furniture, you risk damaging the planks. It's important to know the specific weight rating of your flooring so that you can avoid damage. According to Home Inspection Insider, most manufacturers rate their vinyl to be able to withstand 500 pounds.
Can You Put a Piano on Vinyl Plank Flooring? Yes, you can.