Sheet vinyl and vinyl tile have long been favorite flooring materials for kitchens and bathrooms, but it has always been viewed as slightly cheap when compared to other flooring materials. But that is no longer the case with vinyl plank flooring. Also known as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) or luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP), vinyl plank flooring is a much thicker flooring material that is fabricated in long planks with a modified tongue-and-groove connection system that snaps together.
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Vinyl plank flooring originally became popular because it mimicked wood plank flooring very convincingly—more so than even plastic laminate flooring. But there has since been an explosion of offerings for vinyl plank flooring, including products that look like ceramic and porcelain, and natural stone like marble or granite. The stone-look products are usually shaped in tiles, rather than planks.
At its heart, plank vinyl floor, is simply vinyl flooring that comes in long, narrow strips rather than the traditional square tile shapes. But structurally this is a different product. Sheet vinyl is generally flexible vinyl with a printed top layer covered by a clear wear layer, while vinyl plank flooring is a multi-ply product that features four layers:
Luxury vinyl is therefore almost five times thicker than traditional sheet vinyl, allowing it to be semi-rigid. Plank vinyl floor also tends to have deeper embossing and better graphics, rendering it a closer simulation of wood and stone than previous iterations of sheet vinyl flooring or plastic laminate flooring.
You can even find vinyl planks with a heavily antiqued or distressed look, hand-scraped, dinged, scratched, and peppered with nail holes. But these products are more expensive since the planks need to be quite thick to handle such deeply textured embossing.
Vinyl flooring planks typically are 48 or 36 inches long. With most planks, the width is about 6 inches, though some go as much as 7 3/4 inches wide.
Rarely will a vinyl plank floor cost as much as genuine wood flooring, which is usually five to 10 times more expensive than vinyl planks. Prices for materials usually range from $3 to $18 per square foot. Professional installation can add $2.50 to $6 per square foot, but this is one of the easier flooring materials to install yourself—comparable to plastic laminate flooring planks. Overall, the cost of vinyl planks is about the same as for laminate planks/
Material costs for luxury vinyl plank prices are comparable to ceramic/porcelain tile, but with tile, you must factor in the cost of additional materials (thin-set and grout), plus tile-specific tools. And ceramic tile is a much more labor-intensive installation for DIYers.
This is one of the easier floors to maintain. Most manufacturers recommend simple sweeping daily, and weekly damp mopping with a mild detergent and mop, or with cleaning pads. These floors should never be steam-cleaned, however, as the pressure of a steam cleaner can potentially drive moisture down through the seams to the wooden subfloor.
Repairs can be a little tricky with vinyl plank flooring. You may be able to repair small areas of damage with a vinyl repair kit chosen to match the color of your flooring. Replacing entire planks usually involves disassembling the floor from one wall up the damaged plank, installing a replacement plank, and then reassembling the floor back to the wall.
Vinyl plank flooring is offered in hundreds of colors and patterns from the major flooring manufacturers. Interior designers and real estate professionals regard it as superior flooring to sheet vinyl and laminate flooring, but still considerably less prestigious than solid hardwood or porcelain tile.
Most plank forms of luxury vinyl seek to mimic hardwood flooring, and they do this quite effectively. At a casual glance, vinyl planks can look quite similar to natural wood. Tile forms of luxury vinyl generally seek to mimic ceramics or natural stone—again, quite effectively.
Ease of installation is a key advantage of vinyl plank flooring. Luxury plank flooring was practically made for the do-it-yourselfer because the opportunity for error is minimal. Since the learning curve is low, most homeowners can get started on installation right away. A small room can be completed in three to four hours, usually.
Vinyl plank flooring uses a click-lock system in which the edges and ends of the planks snap together. This flooring is generally installed as a floating floor that rests on the underlayment with no glue-down bond necessary. While the subfloor and underlayment should be as flat as possible, vinyl planks are thicker and more forgiving of small imperfections in the underlayment—compared to sheet vinyl.
Installation begins by laying the first row of planks along the most visible side of the room. At end walls, the planks can be cut by a sharp utility knife and tin snips can be used to cut notches and openings for obstructions.
These five manufacturers all offer good vinyl plank flooring products at various quality levels:
Vinyl plank flooring offers much of the easy-care convenience of sheet vinyl, but because it is a thicker material, it has slightly more "give" underfoot, making it more comfortable. Because it is made from waterproof materials, this is a much better flooring for damp areas than laminate flooring or hardwood.
Because they both seek to mimic natural hardwood, homeowners are often faced with choosing between vinyl planks and laminate flooring. By most comparisons, today's vinyl plank flooring may be slightly superior.
Both have very similar installation techniques, with click-lock installation that floats over the underlayment. Vinyl, however, can be cut with a simple utility knife, while laminates require a power saw. Vinyl is a fully waterproof material, is somewhat softer than laminate, and is less noisy underfoot. One of the biggest drawbacks to laminate flooring is the way it clicks under hard footsteps—unless it is installed with a resilient foam underlayment.
If you're wondering if vinyl plank flooring is right for you, consider your lifestyle and how much use the flooring will get.
Vinyl plank flooring is waterproof, and therefore, very resistant to spills, especially if you have pets in the home. It is also easy to clean with a vacuum, broom, or wet solution.
This type of flooring is very durable and ideal in homes with high-traffic areas. If you have kids, you won't have to worry about it being destroyed. Plus, vinyl plank flooring is more gentle on their feet when running around compared to other floor types.
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring and has been for years. With so many designs and color options, vinyl plank flooring can easily suit your home's style.
Vinyl flooring has evolved in the last several years and continues to see advancements that make it an excellent, practical choice for the home, office, and many commercial spaces.
Products featuring a rigid stone-composite core arrived only a few years ago, bringing to market greater durability and comfort underfoot. The introduction of Embossed in Register technology (EIR) also improved the attractiveness of vinyl with realistic grain textures embossed into each plank.
With these advancements, vinyl has become the most popular flooring choice in the world. Whether your home is new or you’re changing the flooring system in an older home, luxury vinyl is a desirable flooring option in bedrooms, laundry rooms, living rooms, bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and high-traffic areas.
However, the vinyl flooring industry also has its list of detractors, who claim the risks of vinyl flooring outweigh the benefits. They have many concerns about the possible long-term ramifications of mass-produced vinyl flooring products on people and the environment.
In this article, you will get an overview of the pros, cons, and the controversy surrounding vinyl flooring, so you can determine for yourself whether LVP or LVT is the right choice for your home or business.
Luxury vinyl flooring is the number one choice in America because it’s a practical and affordable flooring option with many benefits.
One of the main benefits of vinyl flooring is its durability. Premium vinyl flooring with a rigid core is engineered to withstand weighted objects, such as pool tables, and its surface acts like a shield against abrasion and scratches.
If you have kids running around with their hands full of toys that drop and hit the floor, you can be sure that your flooring will survive day by day and long into the future. A regularly maintained luxury vinyl plank or tile floor can last 20 – even 30 years.
Another advantage of vinyl flooring is that the material is 100% waterproof. Kids especially love spilling and dumping water and other liquids all over the floor. Because vinyl doesn’t absorb moisture, all you need to do is wipe it up.
Premium vinyl has a square edge that keeps liquids from getting down into the planks. Water damage, mildew and mold won’t pose a threat.
The only way liquid gets under vinyl planks is if the floor isn’t properly installed, an appliance springs a leak, or a pipe bursts. Even if water does somehow get underneath the planks, you can uninstall the floor, give it time to air out, and reinstall the planks once the subfloor is fully dry.
Vinyl floors are also anti-slip, so your floors won’t be slippery when they’re wet, which makes the floor safe. Because of how durable vinyl is against water, it’s highly effective in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
The waterproof material is also effective if you have a new puppy who has accidents. But if you have a dog with long-term bladder issues, you may want to consider installing sheet vinyl.
Urine is acidic, and over time, it will begin to eat away at the top protective layer of your floor.
Compared to other flooring types, such as carpet, vinyl floors are easier to clean and maintain using a proper mop, cleaning solution, and technique. Keeping up with a regular-yet-quick cleaning routine ensures a fresh and clean floor and living environment.
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Overall, luxury vinyl flooring is so popular because it looks nice and is a proven way to pet-proof and kid-proof your floors without much hassle at the most affordable price.
Vinyl flooring offers many advantages, but also has a list of disadvantages.
One disadvantage of vinyl flooring is that its color will begin to fade with long exposure to sunlight. You can always apply products that restore shine, but there’s nothing you can use to correct discoloration.
You can limit exposure of sunlight on your floors using blinds and laying area rugs. It’s best to use rugs without a rubber backing because they can also discolor the planks. One way you can use rugs with a rubber backing over vinyl is to place mesh padding down between the rug and the floor.
A second disadvantage of vinyl flooring is that it won’t add nearly as much value to your property as hardwood flooring, stone, or ceramic tile. That said, the value of the home and floor depends on the buyer. Many buyers with children and pets would rather have a great-looking, durable, and waterproof premium vinyl floor requiring less maintenance than a floor that doesn’t support their lifestyle.
A third disadvantage of vinyl flooring is that the glue can be difficult to remove when you glue down the planks. But contractors do it all of the time. And glue will give you a more stable floor.
You can avoid glue with a click-lock/floating installation, but if you have larger spaces like a 1,000 – 2,000 sq. ft room, a glued–down floor offers better performance.
A fourth disadvantage of vinyl flooring is the softness of the synthetic and composite material. Although it’s very durable, it has limits. Although it can withstand dropped objects, it’s not going to be impervious to tears, scratches, or dents from very sharp or heavy objects.
If you drop a kettle bell while you’re working out or lose control of your sharpened chef knife while chopping onions, the impact can cause dents, punctures, and tears in the floor.
Should this happen, you can always repair the floor by removing and replacing planks. Replacing individual planks is easy with a floating, click lock floor. If a plank is damaged or ruined, you can uninstall and then replace the plank.
The process is a little trickier if you have a glued-down floor, but not too difficult. If your vinyl gets a minor rip or scratch on the surface, you can use a flooring repair kit to fix it.
Lastly – and most critically – vinyl flooring has come under fire for the possibility that the products cause harm to people and the environment.
For a succinct, high-level overview of the vinyl flooring controversy, read “Are America’s Favorite Floors Going Away?”
In a recent article by Fast Company titled, “The dirty truth about your fake wood floors,” luxury vinyl flooring is referred to as cheap, fake wood that typically features a sickly gray color shade. The author condemns vinyl flooring as ugly and harmful to people and the environment.
She claims that the vinyl flooring industry is especially dangerous to communities and workers, citing the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment as an example. The train was carrying vinyl chloride, a chemical used to make PVC, which is used to make vinyl flooring. She also points out that there’s been two explosions at vinyl manufacturing plants, resulting in tragedy.
Additionally, she reports that 75% of all vinyl flooring is manufactured in China, where there’s little regulation and other issues related to workers and worker conditions.
Perhaps worst of all, she says synthetic vinyl material is very difficult to recycle because it isn’t biodegradable. Recycling vinyl is a big job requiring resources and expertise, which raises the question: What will happen to all the vinyl floors in the future when they need to be replaced?
While it’s true that you can’t leave vinyl planks on the curb with the rest of your recyclables, you can contact the manufacturer directly and ask for assistance.
Manufacturers are aware of this issue and have processes in place to collect your old flooring and recycle it to create new flooring. The problem though, is that many manufacturers don’t provide a straightforward means of starting the recycling process.
Finally, there’s the rumor of a scary possibility: some vinyl flooring products are harmful in the home. Would you want toxins to be absorbed in the soles of your feet as you walk barefoot across your floor?
It all appears to be very bad news for the vinyl flooring industry and the millions of people with vinyl already installed in their homes and businesses.
However, experts from government agencies and private testing programs disagree about the impending dangers of vinyl flooring. Instead, they maintain that it’s a safe flooring option for consumers and not a serious threat to the environment.
And yet lurking in the back of our minds are those disasters from the 20th century, such as asbestos, lead paint, and cigarettes.
These toxic products were marketed as safe and effective, and consumers bought and used them without knowing there was any danger.
The consensus is that vinyl flooring is safe, but it’s still prudent to be skeptical. As we know, history tends to repeat itself. Your main option is to investigate the products you buy and determine any risks.
It should give you some peace of mind knowing that the vinyl flooring industry is heavily regulated to meet high standards for indoor air quality. Manufacturers must follow meticulous processes aligned with strict criteria. And without any legal oversight, they have innovated to produce phthalate-free floors and floors with very low exposure to VOCs.
At Panel Town we have helped many customers install LVT and LVP over the years. We also work with the contractors who regularly install vinyl floors. We have yet to have anyone report ill-effects and attribute them to their vinyl floor.
Independent groups, such as FloorScore®, a certification program recognized worldwide, have strict criteria and stringent standards for ensuring indoor air quality. They thoroughly inspect and test products for chemicals, such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. A FloorScore® certified product is widely recognized to be very safe for you and your family. The same is true of GREENGUARD.
Over the last decade, as PVC-based products have entered the crosshairs, there’s been a shift toward green building materials. Leading the way on this initiative are prominent construction firms like Kaiser Permanente and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA published a Materials Pledge, encouraging other organizations to sign up and align their business to a new, greener standard.
Additionally, architecture and design firm Perkins & Will have issued influential statements on PVC:
“Avoiding PVC in building material choices is nearly always preferable from an overall human health and environmental perspective.”
These are but a few of the developments marking the shift away from PVC.
Many manufacturers also take their responsibility toward their customers and the environment seriously. Both Lowe’s and Home Depot phased out phthalates in their LVT production by the end of . Many specialty brands did the same thing.
Reputable companies have also published declarations about their materials and commitment to sustainability. For example, Happy Feet is dedicated to the long-term safety and happiness of their customers. You can read their international code of conduct here.
Their products also undergo testing, review, and certification to meet the highest standards of indoor air quality.
FloorScore® and GREENGUARD Gold certifications ensure that flooring meets rigorous standards for indoor air quality and sustainability.
Overall, their efforts have helped to reinforce consumer confidence in vinyl flooring as a safe product.
Are you interested in learning more about Peel & Stick Vinyl Flooring? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!