Posted by
Pbusk On
Thu 08 Apr, 2021
You don't have to look far to find luxury vinyl flooring. From schools, hospitals, and restaurant dining rooms to airports, this flooring is under your feet in numerous places. This flooring has rapidly gained popularity for its diversity in design, resilience, and appearance. So, what is luxury vinyl tile and what are the benefits of this popular flooring option? Let's take a closer look.
First, What Is Luxury Vinyl Tile?
Luxury vinyl tile, which may also be referred to as luxury vinyl plank or simply LVT flooring, is a high-end flooring that offers just as much aesthetic appeal as other flooring but with practical attributes. The flooring can be found in tiles or planks, but the end result is something so realistic that most people cannot tell the difference between LVT and something like hardwood or natural stone.
How LVT Flooring Is Made
LVT flooring is created with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resins and other agents like calcium carbonate. Raw materials are worked and rolled in a calendering process to create sheets of material with precise thicknesses. With the main sheets made, the material is then laminated using a combination of heat and pressure. Each tile or plank has four unique layers, including:
•   Textured backing
•   Filler for resistance to pressure or indentations
•   Print layer with 3D graphics
•   Wear layer to protect the end flooring from surface scuffs and damages
Each layer of material in a piece of LVT goes through a number of processes. For example, each piece may be annealed to prevent future problems with vowing or cupping.
The Major Advantages of Vinyl Tile or Vinyl Plank Flooring
LVT offers simple and quick installation.
One of the perks of luxury vinyl tile or vinyl plank flooring is how simple it is to install. Unlike some flooring options, most LVT is created with snap-lock edges, which means the tiles or planks simply snap together during installation. Further, loose-lay LVT flooring requires less intensive preparation of the sub-floor and can be installed over some existing types of hard-surface flooring like wood or concrete. LVT flooring can also be glued in place, but loose-lay is the more preferable installation method.
LVT gives an affordable and attractive option to property owners.
Even though LVT comes along with the "luxury" designation, the flooring does not come along with a luxury price. You will find LVT to be more affordable than most types of hardwood flooring, some forms of laminate, and even certain types of ceramic tile. As an adage, LVT can be more affordable simply because it is easier to install.
LVT flooring is versatile enough to coincide with most interiors.
You can find an elaborate collection of LVT flooring styles to choose from. The flooring can be in plank cuts like wood flooring or in tiles that mimic the appearance of ceramic and natural stone or colorful pieces with a more modern flair. You will find an array of design options, textured finishes, and more to easily coincide with whatever design ideas you may have in mind.
LVT is a resilient floor covering fitting for most settings.
One of the bigger advantages of luxury vinyl flooring is its resilience to everyday wear and tear. The flooring is constructed of heavy materials that stand up well to even the heaviest foot traffic. The flooring is highly resilient to moisture, which means it can work out just fine in moisture-ridden areas like the bathroom or kitchen. Further, the flooring is non-porous, which makes it ideal for deterring bacteria and germs, which can be important in medical settings or in the home of someone with allergies. Finding LVT with extensive warranties that guarantee quality for a decade or more is pretty common.
LVT is easy to maintain.
All flooring types have their downfalls when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. Hardwood requires careful cleaning practices with very little moisture. Tile can be prone to getting slippery with the wrong cleaning products and the grout can sometimes stain. LVT, however, is considered one of the easiest types of flooring to maintain. The surface stands up well to most cleaning solutions, can handle some rough scrubbing when needed, and will not be harmed by a wet mop.
LVT flooring has sound insulating qualities.
An attribute of vinyl plank flooring that many hard-surface floors don't offer is sound insulating qualities. The material is thick and offers a sort-of softness underfoot because of the vinyl elements. It is this formation that also makes the floor a good option to keep noise levels down within a space, which is why the flooring finds its way to a lot of commercial structures. You won't hear footsteps across the flooring and sound will cause less reverberation in any space where LVT is installed.
Transform Your Space with Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Without question, LVT deserves its top spot as one of the most popular forms of flooring for both residential and commercial properties. If you are interested in learning more about luxury vinyl tile or plank, please reach out to us at Best Carpet to get a look at the vast collection of options we have available.