Con: Hard to Remove
Once the flooring is down, it will be difficult to remove should you change your mind later on. This is because the adhesive glue that affixes the planks to the subfloor is not easy to remove. Still, should it become necessary, removal is possible without professional help.
Mold Growth: Mold can thrive under vinyl plank flooring due to moisture. Health Risks: Exposure to mold can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and more serious health conditions. Vinyl Plank Flooring: While durable and versatile, can be a breeding ground for mold if not properly maintained.
Yes, if heavy furniture is not properly supported or moved, it can cause permanent damage such as deep indentations, scratches, and tears. Using protective measures like furniture pads, coasters, and sliders can help prevent this.
Does vinyl flooring devalue a home? It's possible. While vinyl plank floors are affordable and versatile, they might not boost your home's resale value like hardwood or tile would.
Do builders use luxury vinyl in high end homes? Hardwood flooring is typically the most popular choice for high end homes. However, some extremely discerning customers request vinyl, particularly if they have children, due to its increased durability.
Since most furniture will not go under just one plank, it is perfectly safe for bulky furniture and refrigerators to go on vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring will not be damaged or cracked by home appliances' weight due to its strong durability.
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring is a smart choice for its beauty, toughness, and affordability. But even durable LVP can get scratched and dinged by rolling office chairs over time.
Do not place stove directly on carpeting, vinyl tile or any combustible material other than wood.
On the other hand, water under vinyl planks and subfloor that collects and has a place to infiltrate could turn into a bigger problem. Mold and mildew can form where moisture has a gap to enter. This can lead to damage that's bad enough to where you will need to rip up the floor and have it replaced.
Luxury vinyl plank manufacturers mention only vapor barrier in their installations. They recommend this due to not allowing (concrete subfloor) getting moisture or alkalinity to your flooring choice. This will eliminate any potential for claims or damages to the manufacturers flooring.
If you see black stuff under your vinyl flooring, it's probably mold. There is a chance it could just be dirt, dried-out adhesive, or slight water damage, but some of those are causes for mold growth, so you should remove it immediately anyway. In some older homes, it could be black mastic asbestos.
But while a damaged luxury vinyl plank may need to be replaced, an engineered hardwood plank can be sanded and refinished several times. Ultimately, engineered hardwood floors are likely to last 25 to 50 years or more, while luxury vinyl plank flooring may need to be replaced in 20 to 30 years.
Glue-Down Vinyl Plank: This type of flooring requires more labor-intensive installation, with costs ranging from $2.50 to $4.00 per square foot. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Tile (LVT): These high-end options offer a more realistic look and feel, with labor costs ranging from $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.
Avoid Rubber Backing: Rugs with rubber or latex backing can cause discoloration on vinyl flooring due to a chemical reaction. Instead, choose rugs with a natural backing or invest in a quality rug pad. Colorfastness is Key: Ensure that the rug is colorfast to prevent any dye transfer that could stain the vinyl.
Vinyl flooring is able to mimic the natural aesthetic of hardwood, yet is highly resistant to water and humidity. Many homeowners appreciate having laundry room flooring that doesn't require being careful all the time.
With direct pressure on the joints and planks, this can cause buckling if expansion and contraction is blocked. Pool tables under 500 pounds should be fine over a properly installed laminate floor. With a floating floor, it is important to stagger joints and properly place transition moldings.
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.
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.
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.
Generally speaking, most luxury vinyl planks can be cleaned using soap and water and don't require a special LVP cleaner. A dishwashing soap like Dawn is the best way to clean vinyl plank flooring because it will cut grime and grease without stripping your floors or damaging the wear layer.
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.
If your flooring is waterproof, you can use a wet Swiffer safely, and can get a deeper clean than you'll get with a dry mop. Make sure that you use pads that feature a neutral household cleanser, rather than any harsh chemicals that could damage the flooring.