There are a lot of reasons why luxury vinyl planks are an excellent option for flooring in your home or commercial space. Here are a few:
It's cost-effective. While price varies across varieties of LVP flooring, it's a much more economical option than traditional hardwood finishes, as upfront costs, lifespan maintenance, and upkeep are significantly less expensive. For any significant amount of space that needs flooring, the savings could easily add up to thousands of dollars.
You won't be able to see the difference. Luxury vinyl planks are manufactured using ultra-high definition printers that can mimic the grain of natural wood almost perfectly. By looks alone, LVP is nearly identical to traditional hardwood flooring. It's durable. LVP is tough and can stand up to all the wear and tear that can come from kids, pets, furniture, high heels, and more. Its stain-resistance and impact-resistance mean that, with the right kind of care, it will look new for years to come.
There's a wide variety of finishes available. Although LVP is relatively new to the market compared to some other types of flooring, you'll find no shortage of colors, patterns, and finishes. With specific varieties to match almost any kind of hardwood, it's easy to match the perfect flooring to your home and decor. Installation is easy. Laying a wooden or tile floor takes some serious know-how, but the installation process for LVP is comparatively easy, making it a good option for DIYers. The planks are designed to snap together and lock in place, meaning there's no need for nails or a hammer. Once you get the hang of it, the process is quick and easy.
It's waterproof. This is a big one. Unlike laminate or hardwood, LVP is made of 100% synthetic materials and is completely waterproof. This means it's appropriate for bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, kitchens, and damp basements, and can be cleaned with water or soapy liquid. Even if submerged in water, LVP won't swell or warp.
Although LVP is a great choice for many individuals, it's important to have the full picture before making a decision.
It can fade over time. Many varieties of LVP flooring are not UV-ray resistant, which means the planks' coloring will fade over time if exposed to direct sunlight. Think through how this factor will affect your space if your home has a lot of natural light.
It won't add significant value to your home. As much as it may look like hardwood flooring, at the end of the day, it's a different material and that will be noted by a realtor. Most people don't find this an issue, but it's good to be aware of if you're planning on selling your home soon. Wheelchair users won't find it ideal. Because of its snap-in installation design, the individual planks in LVP flooring may shift a bit if a wheelchair frequently moves over it.