When you’re selecting the new flooring for your home, you want to know everything about it to ensure it meshes well with the aesthetics of your home and your lifestyle. So, you may be wondering, what is this LVP flooring you’ve heard about? And what are its benefits?
Take a deep dive with us into the world of LVP flooring, and find out if it’s right for you!
What is LVP Flooring
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this unique type of flooring, we need to start with the basics and define this specific type of hardwood. LVP flooring, also known as Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring, is not your typical type of wood material. In fact, it’s a specially crafted vinyl that is designed to mimic the look and feel of hardwood.
This style comes in an array of designs, too, so you’re not obligated to choosing only one overall look. Whether it’s the appearance of oak or the warmth of walnut you desire, Hardwood Bargains will be able to deliver your design dreams.
If you fear budget is an issue: not to worry! This selection happens to be wallet-friendly without compromising your style or functioning needs for your home. You’ll be surprised to find that the complete cost of materials and installation is more doable than you first suspect.
Without further ado, let’s take a closer look into why so many have chosen this flooring as their new home design favorite.
Let’s Break Down the Materials
To better understand how this specific type of flooring can mimic hardwood so well, we’ll list out and define the key materials used. Each one plays a vital role in contributing to the overall look and feel of the floor when it’s installed in your home. Let’s start with the top layer and work our way down to the bottom.
Outer Sealant Coat
Arguably the most important layer out of all four, the outer sealant coat is made to protect the floor in its entirety and reduce the risk of damage to the flooring. There is a substantial amount of polyurethane added into the coat to give the wood a lustrous look.
Hardwood Bargains specifically uses an Aluminum Oxide finish on all of its LVP floorings. The reason? The material has been found to be the most durable, which allows you to get the most out of your investment.
This finish will rarely wear to the point where the next layered material will be impacted. This sealant coat, in particular, is designed to make wear and tear stop in its tracks.
Durable Wear Layer
Then the wear layer itself is applied to directly protect the design that you see underneath. This also extends the life of the flooring by utilizing clear vinyl strong enough to hold up even in the busiest of commercial centers or homes.
Design Layer
Next, we have the design layer, which is made out of a luxurious vinyl plank that has a look and feel that mimics modern hardwood floors. It’s specifically made to look like some of the most desirable wood selections for homes, such as cherry or mahogany.
With rich coloring and innovative finishes, this type of flooring and layering ideology is becoming increasingly popular.
Reinforced Foundation
Last but certainly not least, we have the foundation of the floor. Hardwood Bargains ensures that the foundation does its job as well as any of its other layers. Our team uses a reinforced PVC core, which is not only completely stable, but it’s also 100% waterproof.
These two features combined instantly allows the floors to hold up better in high-volume areas and in locations that may retain more moisture than others.
Without each layer, you wouldn’t get the premier quality this type of flooring is famous for. It’s best to understand the reasoning behind each one so you know you’re certainly in good hands if this is the flooring you choose.
There Are Five Major Benefits
When choosing between LVP flooring and other great options, we have five main reasons why homeowners or business owners make the ultimate choice for this type of flooring. At Hardwood Bargains, we want to make sure your selection is a great match for your lifestyle, so the following five benefits may be the key to deciding to integrate LVP flooring into your life.
Design Variety
When designing the look of any space, the creator of that space deserves options. Thankfully, LVP flooring provides just that, and for the designer on a budget as well.
Not only is LVP flooring offered in wood varieties, but it’s also offered in material dupes such as concrete, stone, marble, tile, and so many more. This flooring certainly allows your creativity to run wild and in a way that will benefit you most.
Complete Durability
While durability was a factor that was mentioned earlier when deep-diving into each individual layer, some may forget that it becomes a huge deal-breaker for certain lifestyles. For instance, if you have children who are prone to making a mess or are not so easygoing on home appliances or materials, then this may be the best option for you!
Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for pet-friendly households. You won’t have to worry about your pet scratching up your floors or spilling its water bowl all over the place. Best of all, LVP flooring can be installed anywhere in the home for exactly these reasons alone.
Super Easy To Maintain and Clean
We all love a good house cleaning, and LVP flooring makes the job much easier. If you happen to have a business, then easy closing cleaning procedures will have you clocking out for the day much more quickly too!
All you need to clean this type of flooring is a broom or vacuum. If you want an even deeper clean, then all you need is a mop and a quality cleaning solution to go along with it. If there’s an occasional spill, it can also be simply wiped up in a matter of seconds.
They Look Like the Real Deal
Many may fall to being skeptical about the overall appearance of this type of flooring, but it’s not the case here. Believe it or not, the finished look of these floors is the reason so many select this option in the first place.
Each bit of texture, color, or pattern used in the finishing touches is stunning and easily gives off the authentic, luxurious look so many crave in a home or business.
100% Waterproof
For those who are renovating rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, or any other spaces with water involved, then this benefit alone may make you take the swing. Waterproof flooring is, in fact, an option thanks to LVP floors.
So, if your child is splashing around in the tub during their nighttime bath or a dinner guest accidentally spills their drink, you have nothing to fear.
With all five features put together to craft this perfect flooring, it’s hard to say no to an option like this one. Think about each benefit and see how it applies to your daily life at home or at work if you own/operate a business.
How is LVP Flooring Installed?
When installing these floors, it’s critical to take careful measurements. The space needs to be cleared, and the vinyl planks will need to be cut down to size to fit the room. However, out of all the information regarding the installation process of LVP flooring though, the adhesive method itself is the most important.
There are two different adhesive options that can be chosen based on the durability needs of the room. The following will showcase how one adhesive may work better in a commercial space while the other may be more suitable for a home.
- Hard: If you’re looking for extra durability aside from your already sturdy floors, the hard-set adhesive will be your best option. This adhesive will cover the entirety of the subfloor and hold all the vinyl wood pieces into place.
For industries such as healthcare and retail, where there is heavy foot traffic and extra items rolling across the floor such as clothing racks or wheelchairs, the extra support will be happily appreciated.
This also ensures that heavier loads on the floor, like large furniture items, don’t leave big marks or damages to the area.
- Sensitive: On the other hand, a pressure-sensitive adhesive is also an option. This particular option happens to be a standard in the flooring industry, and so it’s the most common. While it is sturdy, it’s also much easier to replace if ever needed. This alternative is ideal when installing flooring in a home.
The adhesives used on the flooring make a big difference in the overall lifespan of the materials. By knowing what part of the home or type of commercial space the renovation will take place will make the choices needed for installation much more manageable.
Affordable, Beautiful Quality
Choosing flooring for your next renovation project doesn’t have to be difficult. With LVP flooring from Hardwood Bargains, you have amazing design options, flexible prices, and complete quality.
And given that you’re now equipped with all the information needed in making your decision, you’re now more prepared than ever to give your space the touch-up it deserves!
Sources:
7 Important Reasons to Finally Renovate Your House | Times Square Chronicles
Aluminum Oxide Finish Vs. Polyurethane on Wood Floors | Hunker
46 Bathroom Design Ideas to Inspire Your Next Renovation | Architectural Digest
80 Useful Floor Designs To Make Your Home Warm and Comfortable | Home Art Mania
