Is luxury vinyl flooring waterproof?
Most of the collections we offer are 100% waterproof, so the planks won’t swell, buckle or lose
integrity when exposed to water. This makes them perfect for any room, including kitchens,
bathrooms, laundry rooms, mud rooms and basements.
It’s important to know that only the flooring material itself is waterproof. Moisture and flooding
can still affect the subfloor/substrate beneath, causing the installation to fail. However, flooring
material can be generally be removed, allowed to dry and reinstalled.
Where can luxury vinyl (LVT) floors be installed?
Luxury vinyl is versatile and can be installed in virtually any room. The mix of fashionable style
and extreme durability of luxury vinyl flooring makes the floor ideal for heavy traffic
environments like entryways, hallways, kitchens and more. The waterproof qualities of luxury
vinyl flooring also enable it to be installed in rooms with increased moisture or below-grade
rooms like basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.
What is luxury vinyl flooring made of?
There are many different types of Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) flooring and as a result the materials
they are made from can vary, but generally all LVT is made of layers which typically include a
wear layer, an image layer, a core layer, and backing layer.
The wear layer is typically made of polyurethane treated plastic or aluminum oxide which
creates scratch and UV resistant surface. Below the wear layer is the image and texture layer
where the desired look of the floor is printed on a textured surface.
Below the image layer is the core layer, which often will dictate the classification of the LVT
product. The backing layer will often be made from cork, fiberglass or foam depending on the
application and the subfloor it is being installed over.
How durable is luxury vinyl?
The lasting beauty or durability of the floor is a top priority for many homeowners. Durability
not only ensures that you get the best value for your dollar; it also means that your floors will
stay looking great for years to come. Luxury Vinyl (LVT) is known for its high durability thanks to
its superior wear layer. The wear layer keeps the original appearance of the floor and provides
easy maintenance. The importance of selecting flooring with the proper wear layer depends on
your needs - do you have pets? kids? heavy foot traffic?
Can I install luxury vinyl flooring over existing flooring?
In most cases, yes, as long as the existing flooring is a hard surface (wood, tile, concrete).
Does luxury vinyl flooring require an underlayment?
The material that goes beneath luxury vinyl plank flooring is called underlayment. Different
vinyl floors have different underlayment needs, depending on factors like where the flooring
will be installed, the overall quality of your subfloor and the need for noise reduction.
Are luxury vinyl floors slippery when wet?
Many of the luxury vinyl lines we carry have a textured finish which reduces the slipperiness of
the flooring. Many of the polyurethane coatings also offer some slip resistance.
How do I clean my luxury vinyl floors?
To begin with, be sure to keep dust and dirt off of your floor when possible. This means
frequent sweeping or vacuuming. But be careful – vacuum cleaners with a beater bar can
scratch the surface of your flooring, as can scrub brushes. To further prevent scratches and
tears, be sure to use felt pads on the bottom of furniture and invest in carpets or throw rugs
designed specifically for LVT floors.