Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) offers great water resistance and budget-friendly wood aesthetics, but it suffers from several drawbacks. The most common issues include vulnerability to subfloor imperfections, sensitivity to extreme heat and heavy sunlight, potential off-gassing of toxic chemicals, and an inability to boost a home's resale value.
While Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is incredibly popular for being affordable, water-resistant, and DIY-friendly, it faces significant backlash, particularly from flooring contractors and interior purists. Common complaints include:
The best luxury vinyl flooring balances hyper-realistic wood or stone visuals with a thick wear layer (20 mil or higher) and a rigid Stone Polymer Composite (SPC) or Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) core. Top brands stand out for their durability, comfort, and scratch resistance.
Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Solid hardwood floors are made of planks milled from a single piece of timber, which makes it a healthy flooring option.
The versatility of LVP, particularly in mimicking the look of authentic wood or stone, has made it a favored choice both for higher-end homes and more affordable ones. “I love LVP flooring that mimics wood or stone, especially the wide and long planks. And so do buyers.
Yes. Both dry and wet Swiffer mops are safe to use on vinyl plank, as long as you're using cleaning pads that don't leave behind residue. Just avoid soaking the floor.
The healthiest flooring options for your home are those that are low-emitting, hypoallergenic, and free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic adhesives. The absolute best choices for indoor air quality and chemical sensitivity are solid hardwood, ceramic or porcelain tile, and natural linoleum.
In 2026, flooring trends revolve around warmth and natural textures, with cool, flat grays officially on their way out. The most popular colors include:
Joanna Gaines is known for her signature "modern farmhouse" aesthetic, relying on light wide-plank wood, vintage checkerboard tile, patterned cement, and earthy volcanic ash. She frequently uses durable, high-quality flooring materials that blend old-world character with family-friendly functionality.
The best months to buy flooring are late December through February and mid-May to early June. During winter, flooring stores clear out old inventory with deep discounts—often 15–30% off.
What Is the Most Popular Flooring Right Now?
To tell if Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) is good quality, prioritize the wear layer thickness (aim for ≥20is greater than or equal to 20≥20 mils) and the core type (look for rigid SPC or WPC). Quality planks also feature thick overall profiles (≥5is greater than or equal to 5≥5 mm) and realistic embossing for an authentic look.
Comparing COREtec and Mohawk depends on your specific flooring type, as COREtec is best known for luxury vinyl plank (LVP), while Mohawk is famous for its waterproof "hybrid laminate," RevWood. COREtec excels in premium comfort and 100% moisture-proof builds, whereas Mohawk offers higher dent resistance and more budget-friendly pricing.
What flooring never goes out of style?
Yes, you can place a refrigerator on top of vinyl plank flooring. Because the floor is highly durable and waterproof, it easily handles the weight and potential spills of a fridge. However, as with any heavy object on a floating floor, taking a few precautions prevents damaging the planks.
The main challenge is choosing the best combination of materials for your purposes that suit your personal taste.
Joanna Gaines has not been diagnosed with a life-threatening or terminal illness; her primary health struggles involve a chronic back injury from high school that required two major microdiscectomy surgeries, most recently in December 2022 to treat herniated discs.
To get the most realistic LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) flooring, you need to look for Embossed in Register (EIR) technology. This means the physical texture of the wood grain perfectly aligns with the printed photographic layer underneath, so you can feel the knots and grooves you are looking at.
Gray-toned hardwood and laminate. Wide plank farmhouse-style wood. Painted floorboards. Artificial or fake-looking wood.
In the end, the best choice depends on the unique proportions of your home, the amount of natural light, and the atmosphere you want to create. Whether you choose dark floors to ground your space or lighter floors to lift it, color balance between walls and floors can completely transform how your home feels.
Dark Flooring
Dark-stained floors create a dramatic backdrop that allows furniture to stand out against the rich, velvety darkness. Additionally, the dark color absorbs and reflects light, adding depth and visual interest to the space throughout the home.
The best flooring for arthritis minimizes joint impact, cushions footfalls, and provides a slip-free, easy-to-navigate surface. Top choices include cushioned luxury vinyl plank (LVP), cork, and carpet. Avoid hard, unforgiving surfaces like ceramic tile or unyielding hardwood, as they aggravate joint pain.
Shaw Floors offers luxury vinyl planks free from phthalates, meeting strict indoor air quality standards. Another contender, Mannington, uses non-toxic materials and holds both FloorScore and GreenGuard certifications. Changlongflor holds certifications such as FloorScore, GreenTag Level A, IAC Gold, EPD, CE, and more.