Types of Vinyl Flooring Explained

Vinyl flooring is becoming an increasingly popular option in homes everywhere, because it can stand up to tough messes, cleans up easily, provides eye-catching looks, and is extremely economical. Perfect for families with energetic kids and loveable pets, vinyl flooring is a type of resilient flooring that combines strength and functionality with authentic design and style. There are three main types of vinyl flooring: LVT (luxury vinyl tile), LVP (luxury vinyl plank), and sheet vinyl. The best option for you and your home will depend on several factors including your style preferences, installation considerations, and budget factors. If you want the gorgeous look of stone or wood flooring, but you need something more durable and budget-savvy, vinyl flooring is a great option! Take a look at the main types of vinyl and their different attributes to help you choose the right vinyl flooring for your home. 

What is LVP?
What is LVT?
What is sheet vinyl?

What is LVP?

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are long, narrow planks of vinyl designed to emulate the most popular wood flooring styles. These planks are thicker and more rigid than sheet vinyl, which helps make them more durable and scratch-resistant. Most luxury vinyl planks are composed of thick PVC with a design layer that gives the planks their authentic hardwood look. This design layer can feature a variety of colors and textures that are on trends from light wood to grey and even whitewash. Additional layers added on top of the design sheet help prevent scratching, tears, and stains. 

Homeowners and builders alike cherish the versatility of LVP installation options including a floating tongue-and-groove option and glue down option. Tongue-and-groove luxury vinyl planks make for easy installation and create a waterproof surface that can withstand standing water in places like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Floating options like Inspire Collection from Palmetto Road have beautiful variation in color and realistic wood graining and imprints. Glue-down installation of LVP can help the planks stay in place better and provide more durability, especially in large rooms. There are many gorgeous glue down options, like Beauflor Parkway Pro Glue Down in color Ginger and Metroflor Deja New Flooring in color Coastal Oak Worn Beige. Glue-down options are water-resistant, making them perfect for areas where spills and messes can be quickly wiped up like mudrooms, laundry rooms, and bedrooms. For added visual interest, certain LVP can also be installed in unique patterns like herringbone, parque, and chevron. 

What is LVT?

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is constructed very similarly to LVP, but it is engineered to mimic stone, porcelain, or ceramic tile. Like LVP, LVT also has a thick vinyl layer that makes it more durable and rigid than sheet vinyl with a design layer that has natural stone designs and textures to provide incredibly realistic visuals. LVT also comes in floating or glue-down installation options. A huge advantage of LVT over traditional tile is the ease of installation. LVT is much less labor-intensive and requires zero grout work which helps cut down on installation costs. LVT can also be laid on top of existing flooring, so there is no need to rip out your old flooring beforehand. 
 
LVT is extremely durable and waterproof, making it perfect for bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and more! It is also great for families with children and pets because you don’t have to worry about spills and everyday messes, simply wipe up and go. Caring for and maintaining luxury vinyl tile couldn’t be easier. Regular use of a floor cleaner designed for vinyl flooring ensures the LVT is spotless and lasts longer. This care routine is much less time-consuming than cleaning grout lines and presents a much lower slip hazard than traditional stone and tile flooring. If you are not sure what style will coordinate best with your home’s design scheme, order samples of your favorite styles so you can see the options in person!

What is sheet vinyl?

Sheet vinyl has been a popular flooring choice for many decades because of its waterproof properties, and the fact that it is very budget-friendly. Unlike sheet vinyl of the past, modern technology has allowed sheet vinyl to make great strides in terms of aesthetic appeal. Sheet vinyl can mimic the authentic look of wood and stone flooring at a fraction of the cost and has a much easier installation process. In terms of installation, sheet vinyl needs a more stable subfloor compared to LVP or LVT, and the quick installation is best handled by professionals to prevent visible seams. Sheet vinyl is also a softer material than LVT and LVP, making it less scratch-resistant. Available in an attractive variety of patterns, colors, and designs, sheet vinyl allows you to have the latest trends in your home with relative ease. You can also switch out sheet vinyl fairly easily if the trends or your personal tastes change. Sheet vinyl is tremendously easy to wipe spills and messes up from, making it the perfect option for craft rooms, playrooms, basements, and more! 


Reflect Plus by Beauflor in Oracle Bone

Talk to a Flooring Expert Today!

If you are in the market for new flooring, and you desire stunning designs that can handle kids’ backpacks, muddy pawprints, and the occasional spilled glass of wine, look no further than vinyl flooring! If you aren’t sure which option will work best for you, talk to a Twenty & Oak flooring expert so you can narrow down your choices and decide on the right vinyl for you and your home.