Have you dreamed of adding a touch of sophisticated mahogany to your living room or the timeless elegance of slate tile to your bathroom? But what if you could do so without the worry of spills, scratches from pets and everyday wear-and-tear? Well, now you can thanks to waterproof luxury vinyl flooring. This game-changing product combines the allure of stone, tile, and wood with superior durability and ease of maintenance.
LVT stands for luxury vinyl tile and is a hard surface floor covering that mimics the appearance of natural materials like stone, marble, travertine, and even hardwood. A photographically-printed layer captures the realistic looks while a protective, durable wear layer provides enhanced durability. LVT can be installed in planks or tiles and is available in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and visual styles.
The technology behind waterproof luxury vinyl flooring has improved drastically since the speckled sandpaper-like flooring that lined the hallways of your high school. The latest luxury vinyl plank (LVT) and tile (LVT) products feature a core that is either a water-resistant (WPC) or solid-particle composite (SPC). This material makes the flooring stiffer and more resistant to scratches, scuffs and dents. The core is then wrapped with a stabilizing film, which adds thickness and rigidity to the flooring and helps it resist moisture damage. Many modern waterproof luxury vinyl floors also include an underlayment layer to further protect the flooring from moisture and help it conform to uneven subfloors.
These layers make waterproof luxury vinyl planks and tiles more attractive than standard vinyl and provide a much more comfortable underfoot feel. They can also be easily cleaned and sanitized, making them ideal for homes with children and pets. Unlike natural stone or wood, these floors never need to be sealed and require little maintenance beyond routine mopping. They are even better for those with allergies or sensitivities to odors as the underlayment often contains low VOC (volatile organic compounds) adhesives that reduce off-gassing.
Waterproof luxury vinyl is ideal for areas of the home where regular exposure to moisture can occur, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. However, these floors can’t be used in fully-submerged applications like showers and should not be installed over a concrete slab. For these applications, consider a different floor option such as a laminate or engineered wood. To avoid the risk of warping or swelling, it’s also important to ensure that your subfloor is moisture-resistant before installing any type of waterproof floor. This can be achieved by using a waterproof membrane or by installing a vapor barrier under the floor. In addition, it’s a good idea to place barriers or protective mats in areas where spills are more likely to occur. This will help to prevent the formation of mold, mildew and other unhealthy growths under your new floors. This will extend their life and keep them looking fresh.
Luxury vinyl floor can be installed in a few different ways, depending on your preferences and the needs of your space. Glue-down installations use an adhesive to secure the planks to your subfloor, while click-lock LVP can be installed without an underlayment by simply snapping together like a jigsaw puzzle. Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for acclimation to ensure the product is ready for installation. If you need a professional Tampa luxury vinyl installation make sure you look for the #1 flooring company Tampa, FL.
Leave a Reply