Vinyl plank, also known as a luxury vinyl plank or luxury vinyl floor, comes in long, narrow strips instead of the traditional square tiles. It is multi-ply flooring that has four layers:
- The topmost aluminum oxide layer to protect the flooring from scuffs and scratches
- A film layer to protect against tearing and ripping
- A design layer to provide the look of stone and wood
- A backing layer of rigid vinyl containing almost 90% total thickness of luxury vinyl.
If you are looking for luxury vinyl flooring for your home, you can check out Vinyl Flooring & Beyond. They offer different types of vinyl flooring and other flooring options.
Many homeowners often get overwhelmed by the variety of vinyl flooring options. They get confused about the right type of vinyl flooring. Below are some tips on choosing vinyl plank flooring.
Size of Planks
Consider the size of the flooring you will need. Measure the vinyl plank’s width and length and see if it matches your requirements. There are many size options available for you to choose from. You can use between 3-4.75 inches and 18 inches by 18 inches planks for your home.
Thickness
Ensure you pay close attention to the plank’s thickness. Some companies refer to the wear layer thickness instead of the full thickness of the plank itself. Ensure you find out about the real thickness of the plank before purchasing. Typically, plank thickness ranges from 4 mm to 8 mm. The higher the thickness of the plank, the better the quality. Don’t forget the wear layer thickness as well. The wear layer is the thickest of all layers that make up the LVT plank. Different qualities of LVT will have different thicknesses of the wear layer. It can range from 4 mils to 40 mils. The thicker the wear layer, the better the quality of the plank. Typically, most people will recommend 8 mil thickness for residential flooring with moderate foot traffic.
Warranties
Find out about the kind of warranties you will get on your vinyl plank flooring. Some companies will offer life-long warranties for residential vinyl plank flooring. They can cover the materials used, the thickness, and the type of planks. Read the warranty carefully before making the purchase. Most warranties may not cover damage caused by flooding, fire, and intentional abuse. Damage caused to the sub-floor due to stagnant water will also not be covered.
Underlayment
You must check the sub-floor of your home to ensure it is in good condition before laying your vinyl plank flooring. If the subfloor has no problems, you can install the flooring directly on it. However, if the sub-floor has issues, you will need underlayment. If your sub-floor is prone to moisture, you can use underlayment to create a protective layer.
Cost
Price is an obvious consideration when choosing vinyl flooring. While vinyl flooring will save you a lot of money compared to hardwood floors, they still come in a variety of styles and price ranges. Keep your budget in mind when you go to buy the flooring. While it may be ok to go a little over the budget, remember that spending a lot on the flooring itself can impact the overall budget of your entire project.
Cleaning
Consider how you are going to be cleaning the flooring. Vinyl plank floors are considerably easy to clean. Think about how you will clean the flooring before picking the vinyl flooring. Usually, vinyl floors are resistant to stains and scratches. Using a regular vacuum and mop should be sufficient to clean the floors.
Color
Ensure you pick the right color for your vinyl plank floors. Consider the size of your room, how brightly lit it is, how much furniture is going to be there in the room, and the colors of your walls when you choose a color for your vinyl flooring.
Glue Down vs. Floating
Vinyl flooring planks are available in two types – glue-down and floating. Both these are 100% waterproof and come in various colors and styles. Floating floor tiles will not need adhesive to stick to the floor. They use a locking system for installation. Each tile piece will fit into a groove on the next piece. Glue-down tiles are attached to the subfloor permanently with an adhesive. The subfloor has to be perfectly level. It should not have any debris. Installation of glue-down tiles can be a little more complicated than floating floors. You must choose whether you want glue-down flooring or floating floors, depending on your requirements and project timeline.