One of the primary reasons homeowners choose luxury vinyl plank flooring for their kitchens is because of its durability. It's fully moisture-proof and more impervious to wear and tear. It's completely resistant to water damage and most stains.
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.
Vinyl plank is not only suitable for your kitchen; it's a great option that combines style, easy installation, and budget-friendliness. Take a look at our vinyl plank options and use our Picture It! Floor Visualizer to get an idea of how they will look in your kitchen.
Luxury vinyl planks are great for kitchens and bathrooms where water is more of a concern because they are much more impervious to water than real wood. We carry 100% waterproof planks so you'll never have to worry about wet shoes, kitchen spills or bathtime.
Its durability and water resistance makes it a great material to increase value in rental properties, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. However, we don't always choose luxury vinyl for our properties. While the material is durable and stands up to water well, it's softer than hardwood and tile.
Since the kitchen is a high-traffic area, you need a durable flooring material that can withstand wear and tear. Consider materials like ceramic or porcelain tile, natural stone, or hardwood floors that are strong enough to handle foot traffic and heavy furniture.
“Luxury vinyl plank is making a major comeback in vacation homes and commercial properties,” Connell says. “The look of wood has come a long way.”
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is one of the most durable types of kitchen flooring. It's made of a type of plastic but convincingly mimics wood. LVP resists stains and scratches and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear, so it's tougher than hardwood floors and much more water-resistant.
“For heavy foot traffic areas such as living rooms and kitchens, I recommend getting vinyl plank flooring with an enhanced urethane finish,” Lewis says. “They have a high-gloss look and are damage-resistant.” However, for lower traffic areas, no-wax finishes are best, she says.
LVP vs. LVT. LVP comes in a plank shape and often offers the look of real hardwood with realistic scraping or embossing. LVT comes in the traditional tile squares, features more stone and concrete looks, includes surface texture for a lifelike look, and can even be installed with grout.
Vinyl flooring outperforms laminate flooring in the area of water resistance, making it a go-to flooring material for areas that are prone to water and moisture exposure.
In this case, the thicker the plank/tile, or sheet, the sturdier it is. The rule of thumb is to use 4mm to 6mm thickness in heavily used areas of the house and 4mm and below for areas like the bedroom.
As a rule, install permanent cabinets first, then install vinyl flooring. If you install the flooring first, use only specific types of flooring under certain conditions.
Maintenance and Longevity
In general, you can rely on vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 and 25 years.
Luxury vinyl planks (or tiles) are, in themselves, completely water-proof and cannot be damaged by exposure to moisture.
Most vinyl floors don't need an underlay. If the surface you're laying on is level and smooth, a well-cushioned vinyl floor should be fine on its own.
Should you install LVP under cabinets? No, you can't put cabinets on top of a floating vinyl floor. Like other types of floating floors, floating vinyl flooring and LVP should not be installed under cabinets.
As long as you choose a reputable company and pay for a professional installation, expect your kitchen door wrapping to last up to 10 years.
LVT will never look “cheap” — it will make your life easier and enhance the look and comfort of your home.
One of the most durable floors to use in a kitchen is ceramic or porcelain tile. Although cold underfoot, these tiles are incredibly durable and easy to clean having been handmade and baked. They are also available in a range of shapes, styles, and colours, making them perfect for any kitchen aesthetic.
One of the best things about LVP flooring, however, is just how much they look like real hardwood. If you want the best LVP floors that mimic hardwood, use these tips: Choose floors without distressed finishes (a short-lived trend). Choose planks that are 48″ long or more, with matte or less shiny finishes.
Tumbled Effect Porcelain Trend
A big trend for 2023 kitchen floor tiles is tumbled effect porcelain - together with the character and variation from tile to tile, this soft tumbling effect lends itself beautifully to rustic, and modern country-style kitchens.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles or Planks
At first glance, you might think of vinyl flooring as low-end, but manufacturers now produce high-end vinyl flooring tiles or planks that adapt to many uses in a luxury home. They produce the flooring in a huge array of colors and patterns, some of which mimic stone or wood finishes.
#1: Wide Plank Flooring
One of the most popular flooring trends for 2023 involves the use of wide planks. Why are people so enamored with this flooring choice? For a few reasons, namely: Wider planks require fewer seams so they help make small areas look larger.