Problems related to vinyl plank flooring include being prone to discoloration, stains, scratches, peeling, cracking, and crumbling at the edges. There are also certain installation-related failures that you need to watch out for. These include curling, warping, peaking, and mold and mildew.
Vinyl flooring is highly durable. If installed and maintained correctly, it can last upwards of 10-20 years. That said, vinyl is a great choice for the rooms in your house that get the most foot traffic. Additionally, most vinyl flooring has a wear layer on its surface that resists scratches and stains.
While LVT is extremely durable, it isn't totally indestructible. Luxury vinyl flooring can dent and even scratch or scuff, especially from heavy appliances, furniture, or other weighty objects. Just because it's resistant to something doesn't mean it's impervious to it.
Vinyl has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate. Don't forget to factor in your budget, however. Vinyl flooring may be more expensive than laminate flooring, especially if you choose luxury vinyl flooring.
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.
While luxury vinyl flooring is incredibly durable, it's not completely impervious to damage. It can scratch or scuff, especially with heavy objects such as appliances. On the positive side, luxury vinyl flooring is more scratch-resistant than hardwood, and, with LVP, you can replace pieces if they get scratched.
So, does LVP, or luxury vinyl plank, flooring scratch easily? On average, LVP flooring does not scratch or scuff easily, making it the perfect floor for pets and children. However, they can still roughen if you move heavy furniture without pads or a hidden nail under your belongings scratch the floors.
Porcelain and ceramic are some of the longest lasting flooring materials available, and they require little maintenance. Tile flooring is also moisture resistant, making it the perfect choice for areas where spills are common like bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
On average, it costs between $1,000 and $12,000 to install vinyl flooring in a 1,000-square-foot space. This price is for materials only, and it does not include labor.
The estimated material, installation cost, and labor necessary to install vinyl plank floors for 1,000 sq ft (93 m2) are approximately $9,500. In most cases, the total cost is within a range from $3,000 to $16,000.
LVT is the highest quality of vinyl flooring and is preferred by customers over VCT (vinyl composite tile) and natural materials because of it's texture and durability.
A single vinyl plank can hold up to 500 pounds. 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 – Medium Scratch Resistant
Basically, the LVP proved to be more scratch resistant than the hardwood, but not more than the laminate.
Vacuum. Vacuuming your luxury vinyl plank flooring at least once a week will truly make a difference to the maintenance of your flooring. You can either vacuum the flooring yourself or, if you want to take the easy way out while still having clean luxury vinyl plank flooring, you can buy a roomba automatic vacuum!
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) vs.
Hardwood costs a bit more than LVT, but maintenance costs are similar. LVT and hardwood flooring are equally durable, stable and suitable for many commercial environments. LVT and hardwood can be used together effectively, but LVT should be used over hardwood in areas prone to moisture.
Can dogs scratch vinyl plank flooring? High-quality vinyl plank flooring is very durable and scratch resistant, so it should hold up well to the pitter-patter of paws.
The Lowdown on LVP Thickness
The most common thickness of LVP used in common households is 12 mil, but if your household is fairly active, or has a number of pets, a higher thickness is recommended – such as 20 mil. Most thicker planks, such as 28 mil, are used for commercial rather than household installations.
Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, or LVT, is similar to LVP in that it imitates stone and ceramic tile at much lower cost. It is available in the same colors, patterns, and textures that you will find in stone and tile flooring.
LVP. LVP is shorthand for Luxury Vinyl Plank. LVP covers all vinyl designed in planks, giving the look of wood floors with all the features and benefits of vinyl. You may occasionally hear people use the term “LVT,” which stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile.
Both flooring types are compatible with underfloor heating, although vinyl is slightly more efficient. Vinyl floors have the lowest thermal resistance of all Pergo flooring solutions and act as excellent thermal conductors.
Laminate and LVT/LVP flooring are both extremely durable, but they have their weaknesses. 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.
Vinyl and laminate flooring are similar in cost. They're both less expensive than other flooring materials like hardwood or porcelain tile. However, vinyl can get more expensive as you explore the luxury flooring options. Most laminate flooring can be purchased for about $1-5 per square foot.
Carpet is a more expensive product than luxury vinyl flooring when factoring in cost of installation and upkeep. Compared to carpet, vinyl flooring is much easier to clean/disinfect/maintain/replace especially versus broadloom carpet.