What is Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring?
What is LVT flooring? Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a popular choice for homeowners thanks to the plethora of design options and reasonable prices.
Luxury vinyl tile is a synthetic flooring material that mimics the look of natural materials such as wood or stone. To achieve this look, LVT is made of several layers: a backing layer, a core layer, a design layer and a protective top layer. These layers work together to provide durability, stability and an authentic appearance.
The Benefits of and Considerations for LVT Flooring
Benefits
Durability: LVT is a durable flooring option that consists of multiple layers of vinyl and fiberglass, making it suitable for high-traffic areas in your home. It can withstand heavy foot traffic, resist scratches, and remain resilient against everyday wear and tear.
Waterproof: Like standard tile, LVT offers water protection for your floors. Its top layer prevents moisture from seeping into the core, making it an excellent choice for areas prone to spills like kitchens and bathrooms.
Easy Maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining LVT flooring is easy. Sweep and mop as needed to keep it looking like new. Additionally, the protective layer makes LVT resistant to stains and fading from UV light.
Versatility: LVT flooring offers a wide range of design options, allowing you to achieve the desired aesthetic for your home. Whether you prefer the look of hardwood, stone, or tile, LVT can replicate it.
Considerations
Difficult to Remove: When it’s time for renovations or if pieces of LVT are damaged and they need replacing, the adhesive used to apply them makes it difficult when it’s time to remove.
Discoloration: Direct exposure to the sun for prolonged periods can cause discoloration and fading of the tiles.
Lower Resale Value: When compared to natural stone or ceramic tiles, LVT may not significantly increase your home’s resale value.
Artificial Aesthetic: Although LVY strives to present a natural appearance, the mass-produced design can often reveal its artificial nature, which may be difficult for some to get past.
Difficulty Repairing: LVT are durable, however, if one needs repairing, it can be challenging to replace just one without affecting the adjacent tiles.
What is Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) Flooring?
What is LVP flooring? Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring is like LVT flooring, but instead of square or rectangle shapes that mimic tile, LVP flooring is designed to look like hardwood planks. It offers the same benefits as LVT but with the aesthetics of hardwood flooring. LVP is considered waterproof vinyl flooring.
The Benefits of and Considerations for LVP Flooring
Benefits
Realistic Wood Look: LVP flooring features intricate details such as wood grain patterns, knots, and textures, to create an authentic look and feel.
Affordability: Compared to traditional hardwood flooring, LVP is more budget friendly. It offers an affordable alternative for homeowners who want the elegance and look of hardwood with more durability.
Easy Installation: LVP flooring is known for its ease of installation. It typically comes with a click-lock system, allowing the planks to interlock seamlessly. All you need is a utility knife to score it so you can snap it to length. Installing luxury vinyl planks is a great option for DIY enthusiasts looking for a hassle-free process.
Low Maintenance: Like LVT flooring, LVP is low maintenance. Regular sweeping and occasional mopping work to keep it clean. The protective layer on the surface helps prevent scratches and stains, ensuring the longevity of your floors.
For tips and best practices that can help extend the life and appearance of your LVP floors, check out our resource, How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring.
Considerations
Installation Limitations: LVP can only be installed on a smooth, clean subfloor to prevent imperfections from showing through.
Lower Resale Value: LVP doesn’t have the same long-term value as compared to real wood.
Static Buildup: LVP can sometimes generate static electricity when people walk on it, depending on the humidity level.
Limited Durability: Although LVP is durable, compared to other materials, it likely won’t outlast other flooring options, especially natural materials like wood which can last up to 50 years or more, which make a better long-term investment.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring or Luxury Vinyl Plank: Which Is Right for Your Room?
While LVT and LVP flooring have many similarities, there are a few notable differences that might influence your decision-making process.
Appearance: LVT flooring is primarily designed to mimic the look of stone or ceramic tiles, while LVP aims to replicate the appearance of hardwood planks. Consider your preferred aesthetic when choosing between the two options.
Thickness: LVP flooring is typically thicker than LVT. The additional thickness creates a more realistic hardwood feel under your feet and provides enhanced sound insulation.
Installation: LVT flooring often requires an adhesive to secure it to the subfloor. LVP usually features a click-lock system that allows for floating installation, making it a more straightforward DIY project with a short install time.
Price: Prices may vary depending on the brand and quality, but in general, LVT and LVP flooring fall within a similar price range. Both types of vinyl flooring products are more cost-effective than their tile and hardwood counterparts, which is one of the driving factors behind their popularity.
Whether you opt for LVT or LVP flooring, remember, Lowe’s has professional installers who are available to help you with your flooring needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: LVT vs. LVP Flooring
Below are frequently asked questions that customer have about LVT and LVP flooring.
Is LVP or LVT better for bathrooms?
While both do well in many areas of the home, LVT in a bathroom seems like a perfect aesthetic fit. The stone- or ceramic-like tile complements many different décor schemes, and the glue-down format may be best for moisture-prone areas. This will work well for laundry rooms and mudrooms, too.
Which is easier to install: LVP or LVT?
LVP’s installation process features a system where the planks seamlessly interlock, making it DIY-friendly.
How long do LVT and LVP floors typically last?
LVT floors typically last anywhere from 10 to 25 years, while LVP floors last 15 to 25 years. This depends on various factors, including the quality of the installation, the wear layer thickness, proper maintenance, exposure to water and the amount of foot traffic.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Luxury Vinyl Flooring
In the end, no matter which flooring you choose — luxury vinyl tiles or luxury vinyl planks — you’ll end up on the winning side of the showdown. They both offer durable, water-resistant, versatile flooring options that look great in any room of your home.
When you’re ready to start your vinyl flooring journey, shop online at Lowes.com for a wide selection of styles, colors and designs or shop in-store at your local Lowe’s and a Red Vest associate will be happy to help you.
Ready to install? A Red Vest associate can help you gather everything you need for a DIY installation. If you’re not ready to take on the project yourself, Lowe’s can help. Sit back, relax and let our professionals handle the installation for you.