What Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring, and Why Is It So Popular?

Luxury vinyl flooring or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a vinyl flooring option with a compelling look of hardwood. It is exceptionally durable and waterproof, making it an ideal flooring choice for just about any room in the home. Its high-end look is so attractive many homeowners and designers even prefer it over hardwood. The affordable pricing makes it an extremely accessible flooring option for people seeking a designer look without the cost.

LVP is a very versatile flooring option available in endless designs at a very affordable price. It significantly impacts any living space with a high-end look that can suit any design scheme, from upscale and sophisticated to casual and rustic. It creates a cohesive look throughout the home, offering texture thanks to the many patterns and woodgrains available. People prefer it over laminate because it is more durable, but also because it is waterproof. Floating LVP flooring is also relatively easy to install for DIYers.

As a waterproof flooring option, LVP can be used in every room in the home, including bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and more. It is also durable, so it is also an excellent option for playrooms.

LVP varies quite a bit in price ranging between $2.50 to $12 per foot. The average installation cost for a 200-square-foot room is about $2,800. At the lower end of the spectrum, the planks or tiles do not have adequate backing and are also more prone to scratches, so that they won’t last more than ten years. Midrange floors will last longer and also come in more styles. They are a good choice for areas with less traffic, such as a formal dining room. When you get into the $3 to $6 price range, you tend to save on installation as this price group tends to be floating floors. You’ll see a better assortment of styles as well. Once you pay more than $6, this is the higher-end price range so that you will have an endless selection of designs and patterns. You also get a lifetime warranty, making it a wiser investment.

There are three types of vinyl flooring available based on the installation:

1. Floating: These planks click together and are very easy to install. They tend to be in the mid-price range.
   
2. Peel-and-stick: This type of vinyl flooring uses an adhesive backing stuck to a subfloor. Because of the subfloor, it becomes more challenging to install as the subfloor must be in good condition and level. These floors are usually below $5 per square foot, but installation can get expensive.
   
3. Glue-down: This installation method is the most difficult, costing more. Because it is more challenging, it’s not recommended for DIYers. Glue-down LVP is a higher-end flooring, and materials required for installation add to the cost.
   

As mentioned, LVP flooring is waterproof, which is a huge benefit to this flooring option. However, it is also resistant to dents, scuff marks, and scratches. The budget LVP floors will last at least ten years, with the higher end having a lifetime warranty. LVP is pretty low maintenance. Spills wipe up, and basic sweeping and vacuuming reduce the risk of fine scratches. A weekly or biweekly washing with a damp cleaning method keeps them looking their best.

To help you decide if luxury plank flooring is right for you, here is a final overview of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Looks great
• Easy installation types are available
• Low maintenance
• Affordable for the mid-range, floating floor option
• Waterproof
• Durable
  

Cons

• It isn’t wood, so it may not always maintain the same value when selling the home
• Higher-end floors are harder to install, which adds to the cost
• It can be quite expensive for the high-end designs
• Lower-cost options are not very durable