While it will have no problem withstanding normal household objects, specialized pieces like pianos and heavy appliances like refrigerators can be too much to handle. According to Home Inspection Insider, a single vinyl plank can hold up to 500 pounds.
Can You Put a Piano on Vinyl Plank Flooring? Yes, you can.
Tiles or planks that are glued down, however, need time to set. This process takes at least 48 hours. Like luxury vinyl, carpet and laminate that is not glued to the subfloor can be walked on immediately. Brands that must be glued down are not ready for furniture for at least 24 hours.
Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years.
This durable flooring will easily last up to 20 years or more if cared for properly. It also can withstand heavy foot traffic and won't chip, crack, or shatter. Antimicrobial. Some companies will apply an antimicrobial coating on their vinyl planks, which only further aides in its practically bullet-proof appeal.
Like all flooring though, a luxury vinyl installation is an expensive investment, and you want to protect your investment and maximize its lifespan. Unfortunately, heavy furniture has the potential to cause lasting damage to your vinyl, ruining your hard-earned money and the work of the installers.
Hence, it is advisable to stick to items below 500 pounds for your flooring. While some manufacturers will warn you against putting heavy objects on your floating flooring material, most home furniture and appliances do not exceed 500 pounds, which is unsafe for your floating floor.
Folks use heavy furniture, aquariums, etc. on floating floors all the time. If the floor can move elsewhere it's probably fine. Be sure to acclimate the flooring well.
Even with a protective wear layer, over time, rolling desk chairs or desks with little wheels at the bottom can cause wear and tear and damage your vinyl flooring. Quite often, these tiny wheels leave a small floor print, especially if the weight of a person is applied and leave behind a small dent.
Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent choice for all kinds of durability, including superb scratch resistance. You'll be guarded against shoe heels, pet nails, child's play, and so much more, so be sure to take the time to find out more about your options.
When it comes to dropped cigarettes, hot pans or dishes, or curling irons, luxury vinyl will not hold up. This kind of extreme heat can and will damage these floors. It is also important not to attempt using a steam cleaner on these materials either to void the warranty and damage the floors.
All building materials, vinyl flooring included, expand and contract as temperatures change. To allow for that movement without causing the planks to buckle as they expand or slip apart as they shrink, installers are supposed to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of the room.
Felt Pads. Felt pads are a popular choice for protecting LVP floors and are well-suited for use on chairs, tables, sofas, and other furniture. Felt furniture pads come in a range of sizes and thicknesses, allowing you to customize your protection based on your furniture size and weight.
When properly used, expansion gaps can relieve the pressure from heat expansion that can affect a floating floor and prevent any noticeable buckling or peaked appearance. If the floor is less than 50 ft in length or width, leave at least a ¼-inch expansion gap around the entire perimeter.
Swiffer wet cloths are designed to be used on most floor surfaces, such as: vinyl.
Third, area rugs and rug pads with a rubber or latex backing should not be used on top of luxury vinyl plank flooring. These types of area rugs and rug pads can actually damage your new floor as they have the potential to cause permanent markings on the floor where it has been placed over time.
Wet-clean the floor using a damp mop and a vinyl-safe floor cleaner once you've eliminated any dry dirt and debris. If needed, rinse after mopping, being careful not to over-wet the floor. Let it air-dry.
Floors are usually designed for a nominal 30psf to 40 psf live load. Example: a 10x10′ room designed for 30 psf can handle 3,000 pounds of people, evenly distributed across it.
As a general rule of thumb, raised floors found in a typical home are built to support a minimum of 40 pounds of live load (i.e., the weight of non-structural objects such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) per square foot.
Safety factor is a measurement with which your floor was designed to support loads without collapsing. Most homes have a safety factor of 40 PSF (pounds per square foot).
LifeProof luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring matches its name, offering excellent moisture and wear tolerances for many years. It's surprisingly durable, making it suitable for utility closets, laundry rooms, and other spaces prone to moisture and heavy item storage.
Avoid using ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Don't use bleach as an overall vinyl floor cleaner. Keep away from highly abrasive scrubbers or detergents on vinyl. They can damage the floor, causing cracks or scratches.
Lifespan. Thick, quality vinyl flooring can last up to 25 years, with thinner vinyl flooring's lifespan limited to less than 10 years. Laminate flooring can last between 15 and 25 years, though poorly maintained laminate may last only five to 10 years.