Luxury Vinyl Flooring FAQ

You Have Questions…we Have Answers

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.