Top Tips For Choosing Luxury Vinyl Plank Floors

light-colored-vinyl-plank-flooring

When it’s time to replace the flooring in your home or office, you may want to consider something a bit different: luxury vinyl plank flooring. On its way to becoming the most popular flooring option in the country, LVT gives you the look of real hardwood without the upkeep and cost.

When choosing vinyl wood plank flooring, quality is everything. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you search for your next floor investment.

Commercial vs. Residential

You will be glad to know you can use vinyl plank flooring for your home or your business – basically anywhere you want to achieve a rustic theme coupled with the look of hardwood. Best part is, LVT is a fraction of the cost of buying real hardwood. Genuine wood flooring is five to 10 times more expensive than vinyl planks, says the Spruce.

With LVT, you can easily create unique designs and patterns, due to a wide palette of colors that all coordinate. Plus, you can customize the patterns, which comes in handy especially for a commercial floor. The look of hardwood is achieved through the use of high-fidelity printing techniques as well as embossing methods – bringing a touch of realism to the floor.

Businesses inherently get a lot of foot traffic, so your flooring must be durable. Same goes for residential flooring in a busy household with lots of kids and pets. LVT is up to the challenge in both environments.

Size

You’ll need to know which size plank flooring you will need, regardless of whether it’s being installed in a business or home. You can choose from small planks ranging from 3-4 ¾ inches right on up to large planks with measurements of 18”x18”. You can get wide planks at five inches and up.

You get even more diverse sizes for commercial applications, with the most common being 6” x 48” followed closely by 4” x 36”. You flooring expert in Spring Branch TX can visit your home or business and take detailed measurements, then advise you on the best size for your needs.

Thickness

Thickness level is another important consideration. The thickness level is usually between 4mm and 8mm. The higher the thickness, the better the quality. Be mindful of keeping the thickness level the same if you are installing LVT in two adjacent rooms. You want the thickness to match up so there is no uneven terrain as you navigate from one room to the next.

Wear layer is another thing to think about, which will tell you how long your flooring can withstand foot traffic over the years. For higher quality planks, go with a wear level in the 20 mil or higher range.

Warranties

You will usually find different warranties for commercial vs. residential flooring. Commercial warranties are usually for 20 years, as the flooring is expected to wear out faster because of the high foot traffic.

Most residential warranties will cover your floors for life, but this will depend on the type and quality of flooring you get. Always ask about warranties before committing, and get them in writing.

Be aware of what the warranty does and does not cover. For example, it usually won’t cover damage caused by floods, fire, or intentional abuse, or any damage caused by homemade cleaning solutions or vacuuming.

Underlayment

Before installing LVT, you’ll have to make sure your subfloor is in good condition. If there is no damage, you can install vinyl plank flooring right onto the existing subfloor.

If the subfloor is not smooth or has experienced damage, you will need an underlayment first – especially if your floors are prone to moisture accumulation. In addition to providing protection, your underlayment also adds height to your vinyl plank floor if needed, giving you more cushioning for additional comfort.

Underlayment can also protect against sound infiltration, which is important if you work or live in a loud environment.

Cleaning

LVT is very easy to clean. All you have to do is sweep or vacuum regularly to keep dirt off it. Ask your manufacturer or installer which cleaning brands are recommended for the floor should you choose to do a deep clean a few times a year.

Just don’t use abrasive cleaners or detergents, which can leave behind a dull film. Avoid the use of solvent-based polishes and paste wax as well.

Contact Designer Wood Flooring

We specialize in the installation of luxury vinyl plank flooring for homes and businesses. Get started with a free quote when you call us in San Antonio at 830-228-4866.