What is Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring is made from several layers of synthetic material that are pressed together to create a durable flooring option. Vinyl flooring has improved in recent years, with more stylish designs available in tile, planks and sheets.
Vinyl Flooring Benefits
- Affordable
- Authentic hardwood and stone visuals
- Waterproof and water-resistant options
- Scratch-resistant flooring
- Easy to clean
- DIY-friendly installation
- Great performance for homes with kids
- Great flooring for pets. Great flooring for dogs.
Types of Vinyl Flooring
There are five types of vinyl flooring. We'll explain the benefits and differences of each in the next section.
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
- Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- Sheet Vinyl
- Vinyl Tile
- Vinyl Composition Tile
Types of Vinyl Flooring
Now it's time to explore the various types of flooring. We'll explain the benefits and installation methods to help you make an informed decision and select the best vinyl flooring option for your home.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
Hardwood floors add warmth to a house and give it a cozy look, but it's more costly and requires routine upkeep. If you’re looking for an economical and durable alternative to hardwood floors, go with LVP flooring instead. Luxury vinyl plank flooring mimics the texture and color of hardwood with easier cleanup. Simply sweep and mop with a damp rag and you’re good.
Luxury vinyl plank also comes in various sizes and widths, so you can get the look you’re going for. Luxury vinyl flooring is water resistant. Some varieties are even waterproof, unlike traditional hardwood floors. If they're installed correctly, luxury vinyl wood flooring will work in any room. Gaps need to be sealed to prevent moisture from seeping through the floor.
Thanks to the built-in underlayment, luxury vinyl plank is thicker than traditional vinyl plank flooring. It not only feels better underfoot, but it's quieter too. LVP is also scratch and dent resistant, making it a great option for those with kids and pets. Finally, if you love a DIY project, this is an install that you can do yourself.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Vinyl Flooring
Waterproof Vinyl Flooring
Waterproof options are available in luxury vinyl plank flooring. When installed correctly, it's designed to withstand everyday moisture and spills. Choose a waterproof option for kitchen flooring or bathroom flooring. Waterproof wood-look flooring also works well in moisture-prone areas, such as laundry rooms and mudrooms. Choose waterproof LVP if you have kids and pets.
Water-Resistant Vinyl Flooring
There are water-resistant vinyl flooring options that are designed to handle everyday spills, but they should be cleaned up quickly. To understand the level of protection that each product offers, you'll need to look at the manufacturer's recommendations.
The Durability of LVP
Due to its multiple layers and protective surface technology, luxury vinyl plank flooring is a durable choice for high-traffic homes. It's great with pets and kids because it's scratch-, fade-, dent- and stain-resistant. In the chart below, we'll break down the six layers of LVP and explain how they contribute to the overlook look and feel.
| Layer | Purpose |
| Protective Coating | This helps to resist stains, scuffs and scratches. |
| Wear Layer | The protective PVC wear layer is commonly available in 6, 12, 20 and 22 mil thicknesses. Typically, the thicker the wear layer, the greater the flooring’s resistance to everyday wear. Consider a thicker wear layer in high-traffic areas or if you have kids and/or pets. |
| Decorative Layer | This layer creates the wood, tile or marble appearance. |
| Vinyl Layer | Sometimes this layer is combined with other layers. It provides an additional layer of support. |
| Core Layer | This rigid core provides the main structural body for the flooring. |
| Attached Pad | If there's an attached pad, it provides an additional cushion and helps to reduce sound. |
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Thanks to the built-in acoustic underlayment layer, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is thick and capable of blocking sound. It also feels softer underfoot and provides the most realistic look with all the benefits of vinyl tile. Use it in in the kitchen, living room, dining room, office and more.
Learn how to install luxury vinyl tile flooring.
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl flooring comes in either cut-to-length vinyl flooring rolls of 12-foot-wide by 1-foot-long pieces, or pre-cut 1x1 foot squares.
The adhesive types and methods vary by floor style. Sheet vinyl flooring is water-resistant and ideal for high-moisture areas, like mudrooms, laundry rooms and basements because it can be installed seamlessly. The faux grout lines or wood planks give this type of vinyl flooring a realistic look that instantly transforms any space with minimal effort.
Vinyl Tile
Get the look of marble, travertine or slate tile for a fraction of the cost. Today’s vinyl tile looks and feels like real ceramic or stone tile, but it's a budget-friendly alternative.
Vinyl flooring is either covered in one of two ways:
- A no-wax coating called urethane. It keeps the floors shiny and is good for high-traffic areas, which helps resist scuffs.
- Enhanced urethane holds up to the heaviest traffic and is scratch- and stain-resistant.
Vinyl tile is waterproof and won't peel, crack or swell, so it's great for kitchens and bathrooms. It's not only comfortable underfoot, but vinyl tiles are also easy to clean and maintain. With a large selection of design options, vinyl tile is also a great choice for living rooms. It's durable and can stand up to heavy foot traffic, accidents and even pets.
Installation
Vinyl tile flooring can be installed over your existing tile or vinyl flooring as long as it’s smooth and free from any defects. New vinyl flooring is a great upgrade and a relatively simple DIY project that can be accomplished in a weekend.
Since vinyl tile is manufactured to exact dimension and is precision cut, replacing damaged tiles down the line is much easier.
Vinyl Composition Tile
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) is available in many styles and patterns. While it’s typically used in commercial settings, its durability is perfect for high-traffic areas, like a garage, gym or workshop.
Once you've selected your flooring, you'll need to know how much you'll need. Use our flooring calculator to determine what you need to purchase.
Room Recommendations
From kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms and basements, vinyl flooring is a good option for rooms throughout the house. We'll show you where it works and the factors that need to be considered in each space.
| Room | Why Vinyl Flooring Works Well | Considerations |
| Kitchens | It can handle the everyday spills and foot traffic that are common in kitchens. It's also easy to clean. | Select waterproof vinyl with a durable wear layer for high-traffic areas. |
| Bathrooms | Vinyl flooring is warmer underfoot than tiles. Select waterproof vinyl that can withstand moisture and splashes. | Check the manufacturer requirements to ensure the flooring is approved for bathrooms. Proper installation is also necessary to ensure it's waterproof. |
| Laundry Rooms | Vinyl is easy to clean. Select waterproof vinyl that can handle splashes and spills. | Choose waterproof flooring and follow the installation instructions to ensure that leaks won't damage the subfloor. |
| Mudrooms | This is a good choice because vinyl can handle heavy foot and pet traffic, as well as dirt and moisture. It's also easy to clean. | Select a product that's waterproof with a durable wear layer. |
| Basements | Waterproof vinyl can tolerate moisture better than other flooring options. | Check that the product you want to use is suitable for basements. In some cases, moisture testing or a vapor barrier may be required. |
| Living Rooms | Get the look of hardwood with luxury vinyl plank (LVP). It's easy to clean and maintain. | Choose a wear layer that works for your home. There are plenty of options regarding comfort level, wider planks and realistic wood textures. |
| Bedrooms | Vinyl is a low-maintenance option that comes in a variety of styles and colors. | Consider a product with an attached underlayment that's comfortable and offers sound reduction. |
| Entryways | Vinyl can handle regular foot traffic, as well as moisture and dirt that gets trekked in daily. | Select a product that has a thick wear layer and is waterproof. To prevent scratches, use a door mat at the entrance. |
If you'd like to see how flooring will look in your space, use our Flooring Visualizer or order vinyl flooring samples to see how the flooring will look in your home.
Vinyl Floor Installation
Stability and water resistance make vinyl a good choice for any room in the house. With proper surface preparation, vinyl flooring can be installed over vinyl-specific underlayment, concrete, old ceramic tile, wood or non-cushioned vinyl flooring. Use of vinyl over any other type of underlayment will cause quality issues or void the warranty.
There are three vinyl floor installation options to choose from.
Click-Lock Vinyl Flooring
This floor "floats" above the subfloor. Then the vinyl tiles or planks lock together without adhesive. It's a DIY project that can often be done in a weekend.
Glue-Down Vinyl Flooring
A firm bond is created when adhesive is applied to the subfloor and the vinyl planks or tiles are then pressed into that adhesive.
Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Flooring
Each tile or plank has adhesive on the back. Simply peel off the backing and press the flooring firmly onto a smooth subfloor.
Don't forget to purchase moulding and trim to finish the job, creating a seamless and polished look. Matching and coordinating moulding and trim pieces are available, including quarter round, T-moulding, thresholds, reducers and wall base.
Don’t have time to install vinyl flooring yourself? Let Lowe’s help you complete your flooring project. Take a look at our Flooring Project Cost Estimator to get started.
Maintenance & Care
With these tips, you can protect vinyl floors from direct sun exposure, scratches from furniture and accidental spills to keep it looking as good as new.
Cleaning
No-wax surfaces and easy cleanup make vinyl flooring even more appealing. Regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping are all that's needed to keep your vinyl floor looking new. Spills are no problem either. Simply wipe them away with a clean cloth. If you do use a floor cleaner, ensure that it's approved for vinyl surfaces.
Guard Vinyl Flooring Against Sunlight
Direct sunlight can damage or fade your vinyl floor, but this is easily avoidable. Find the areas that get direct sunlight. Close your blinds or curtains to block the sun’s rays in those areas. A well-placed rug or floor mat also protects your floor from fading or discoloration.
Protect Vinyl Flooring From Furniture
Apply furniture pads to couches, chairs, table legs or anything else resting on your vinyl floors. An added layer of protection between your furniture and floor will prevent scratches and keep your vinyl flooring looking brand new.
Let's Get Started
More homeowners are choosing vinyl flooring over other kinds of flooring materials and for good reasons. Vinyl flooring is durable, water-resistant and affordable. It's easy to maintain and well-suited for high-traffic areas. With vinyl flooring, versatility takes center stage with the many styles, colors and patterns from which to choose.
Vinyl flooring is also easy to install, making it a solid project for a do-it-yourselfer (DIYer). Not ready to take on the installation on your own? No worries. Let the pros at Lowe’s handle the installation for you.