There's no question that LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) flooring has been one of the fastest-growing categories on the market. As a result, many luxury vinyl flooring myths are floating around, which may need some clarification when deciding on a purchase for the home or office.
As experts on LVT, we've decided to clear up five of the more common myths circulating in the flooring community. By debunking these myths we hope to help you make a better, more informed choice when selecting your preferred flooring.
Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Myths
Vinyl is a highly durable, stylish, and affordable material with many misconceptions surrounding it. These myths will often prevent buyers from purchasing or installing LVT flooring in their homes or offices. While there are several myths, we have chosen to debunk the following five:
All LVT Flooring is the Same
Vinyl flooring is a popular type that comes in many different styles. It often finds use in homes and businesses as it is cost-effective and easy to install and maintain.
LVT flooring is also seen as more durable than other options, such as carpet, linoleum, basic tile, and more. Certain LVT flooring is even made to look and feel like natural stone, wood, and clay.
There are so many different types of LVT these days that it's hard even to tell if you are walking on vinyl at all. Additionally, LVT options are waterproof and have a thick layer of protection to help preserve your flooring for a long time.
To make the claim that all LVT flooring is the same is unequivocally false. The flooring itself comes in three different forms: planks, tiles, and rolls. Top it all off with an assortment of designs and textures, and you'll have more variety than you ever need.
Vinyl Flooring and Laminate are the Same
Vinyl flooring and laminate have entirely different construction processes and are made from different materials. LVT is far more durable thanks to its core layer made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), wood plastic composite (WPC), or stone plastic composite (SPC). In contrast, the laminate's core is constructed of fiberboard wood.
LVT can withstand exposure to moisture and is considered waterproof by most manufacturers. Laminate is less water-resistant overall.
Laminate usually is cheaper than LVT flooring, though LVT is seen as more cost-effective. Vinyl is also better for absorbing noise, making it quieter underfoot than laminate.
And finally, laminate has a scratch-resistant layer, whereas LVT does not. LVT's protective layer can vary in thickness, increasing its protection but is still not scratch-resistant like laminate. Both options are easy to clean, maintain, and install.
LVT is Hard to Maintain
Natural wood or stone surfaces can be notoriously difficult to maintain. You must often wax, polish, and buff these surfaces to keep them looking luxurious. It's a different reality for LVT flooring.
LVT flooring is one of the most low-maintenance choices a homeowner can make. The protective wear layer makes it so that buffing and waxing are rarely required for long-term maintenance. Depending on the thickness of the wear layer, your LVT flooring can last from ten to twenty years before you may need new flooring.
Instead, daily sweeping and vacuuming can rid you of unwanted debris that could cause damage. Weekly to bi-weekly light mopping should be all that is needed as LVT is naturally scuff, stain, and water-resistant. If you somehow manage to damage a plank beyond repair, LVT is easily replaceable. Simply pop out the plank or tile and place a new one.
LVT Wears Down Too Easily
Consumers may have mixed up this myth with cheaply-made laminate flooring products. Some laminate flooring with low-quality design printing processes will often quickly disappear under heavy foot traffic and lots of wear and tear.
Some homeowners might believe that the images embossed on the top layer of the LVT will fade. But what you actually get is a thoughtful design set from LVT flooring in each constructed tile and plank, with a durable wear layer that protects the pattern beneath. Depending on its thickness, this layer ensures the design does not fade away so quickly.
The wear layer is a clear coat defense that is highly durable and difficult to stain or scuff. So long as you're quick on the clean-up, stains and scuffs will cause you no problem. This layer also possesses particular dent and scratch-resistant properties, but it is not indestructible.
LVT flooring requires less maintenance than most other flooring options. It's also relatively cost-effective, is made to look luxurious, and can last a very long time.
Technology has advanced so much over the years that today's LVT flooring far outshines the vinyl flooring from the past. Colors and patterns can take ten years to fade, and with proper maintenance, twenty years.
LVT is One-Dimensional
Lower-end laminate and vinyl flooring use cheap raw materials without textures and protective layers. This is different for LVT flooring. In fact, LVT manufacturers use the hot press method to add actual texture that can be seen as well as felt.
LVT flooring is also a fantastic option for a large variety of rooms. Thanks to its water-resistant properties, it works tremendously well in areas that consistently collect moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid spaces.
Where LVT is most multidimensional is in its variety of patterns and designs. Vinyl flooring may have been a boring option in the past, but today's LVT can produce basically any color or design you can imagine. Manufacturers can also design it to mimic other high-end materials such as hardwood, stone, clay, marble, and more.
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