LVT, or luxury vinyl tile, is a material that imitates real wood or stone but is actually made of a number of flexible layers that are thin enough to be cut with a knife. This highly durable product is a great way to add warmth to your home, like carpet, but with the practicalities of a tile.
What is LVT Flooring?
Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, is the best option for commercial flooring because it combines all the qualities that a flooring product should have: a beautiful design, high level of durability, and simplicity of upkeep. With LVT flooring, you can authentically mirror the look of natural materials, but with a product that is built to withstand commercial environments. Luxury vinyl tile eliminates the need to forgo premium design in favor of practicality.
How is LVT Flooring Made?
Luxury vinyl tiles are commonly made from multiple layers of PVC vinyl. The PVC is mixed with various compounds to affect the hardness. These multiple sheets of PVC vinyl are carefully compressed by a rolling process, suspended in a liquid. After that, heat and air are used to dry the material, creating sturdy vinyl sheets. The top layer can also feature an embossed finish, with manufacturers being able to add realism to the top layer by adding a layer of depth to help mimic the grooves found in stone or wood.
To further increase the finished LVT floor’s level of comfort and protection, a clear vinyl and urethane coating is added after the manufacturing process. They are compressed together and a decorative printed vinyl layer is bonded to the surface to add enhanced comfort and warmth. The boards for rigid LVT are frequently thicker and will typically have a click system to facilitate DIY installation.
By using recycled plastics and even wood as the primary materials, new advancements in green technology are enhancing the production of LVT flooring. Some manufacturers are even incorporating cork underlays into their products.
Why Are LVT Floors So Thin?
The thickness of LVT flooring can range from 2mm to 8mm. They often have different top layers too, ranging from 0.1mm up to 0.6mm. When compared to laminate floors, which are typically 7–12 mm thick, it doesn’t seem like much. Luxury vinyl tiles’ high density and strength account for their thinness. 4mm of compressed vinyl is much stronger than 8mm of There is no need to make them any thicker because HDF wood can handle the weight. They are frequently used for this because they are already more than strong enough to be used in commercial installations with high traffic. It goes without saying that a thinner profile causes less disruption to already-installed fixtures like skirting and shower trays, etc. (Read More: 10 Best Mop For Laminate Floors – Best Ways to Clean)
Benefits of LVT Flooring
Beautiful Designs
LVT flooring is available in a variety of patterns, from realistic woodgrains to vibrant color pops.
Unparalleled Durability
Our LVT flooring has an unmatched level of durability for all settings thanks to our distinctive manufacturing process.
Sustainable
Aside from being made to last for many years, LVT flooring also complies with WELL and LEED certification requirements and is produced using plasticizers free of phthalates.
Easy to Maintain
A straightforward two-bucket cleaning system is adequate for the majority of vinyl flooring types. Luxury vinyl tile is also naturally stain and scuff resistant.
Myths About LVT Flooring
The majority of urban legends about luxury vinyl flooring date back to the heyday of sheet laminate, which was widely used before the turn of the century. Here are a few widespread myths about LVT flooring today.
It Will Wear Down Easily
This myth speaks to laminate flooring products that are cheaply made with low-quality design printing processes that literally disappear under lots of wear and tear. With luxury vinyl flooring, the collections are thoughtfully designed and built, and the combination of strong wear layers ensures that the designs won’t wear out.
It’s One Dimensional
The design layers are printed without texture because lower-end laminate and vinyl flooring uses less expensive raw materials and does not use a textured wear layer. Each product has a genuine, palpable texture thanks to the hot press process.
It’s the Same as Laminate
They are made from incredibly different materials and have completely different construction methods, so it isn’t. LVT flooring is far more durable and can withstand exposure to moisture, which laminate flooring cannot.
Upkeep is Difficult
Many people believe that LVT flooring needs to be frequently mopped, waxed, polished, and even buffed in order to maintain its appearance and integrity. Luxury vinyl flooring only needs a basic two-bucket system to be maintained because it is naturally water, stain, and scuff resistant and was designed to be low-maintenance.
Conclusion
Glue or a loose-lay floor are two simple methods for installing LVT. It is possible to use LVT with little surface preparation by utilizing more recent loose-lay systems. Costs and installation times for flooring can be decreased with this solution. LVT is also a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, and areas below ground level because it is simple to clean, won’t chip, and resists moisture.
FAQs
Is LVT Better Than Laminate?
LVT is preferable to laminate flooring if you regularly spill things on your floor or need to mop it thoroughly. Laminate wood floors have a protective layer covering an image of a plank on top and are made from real wood, primarily pine.
Is LVT Cheaper Than Laminate?
Laminate flooring is more affordable than LVT, but the quality might not be as good. Both are easy for you to look after and maintain. Any room in your house, including bathrooms, is a good candidate for LVT. Both of them are sturdy and long-lasting, but LVT is typically more resilient.
Is LVT Waterproof?
Luxury vinyl can withstand moisture, heavy foot traffic, scratches, and spills due to its multiple layers, which include a tough wear layer and rigid core. Not only is its top wear layer waterproof, but the backing layer also protects the underside of your floors from moisture.
Check the following mop reviews before buying!
The Mr. Clean Spin Mop heads work best for dust mopping and absorb too much water for wet mopping. But wringing out the mop is extremely difficult.
When it comes to surface exposure, the Libman Tornado Twist Mop is a far better option than sponge mops. Even with vigorous scrubbing, you can clean with it effectively.
Mighty Thirsty Mop is a quick-absorbing mop made of polymer. Its thin mop head can fit underneath furniture and into other small spaces around the house.
If you have the Floor Police Motorized mop, you can quickly and easily spin away that dirt! The spin mop that does all the work for you is a cordless, lightweight product.
The cleaning efficacy and usability of the Bona Spray Mop are its greatest benefits. Use it to maintain the floors in between more thorough moppings.
With the Bissell PowerFresh steam mop, you can mop more effectively while saving money and combining convenience and power.
O Cedar Mop is incredibly shaky and spills way too easily. If you have to pick up the clean water tank, it will stop spinning and be inoperable.
The H20 X5 Mop won our comparison as the most adaptable mop. This mop effectively removed stains from the floor that had been there for several hours.
The Norwex Mop is available in two sizes (large and small) and three different mop pads. The system is easy to use if you follow the directions.
The Shark Steam Mop is a cheap steam mop that does a good job of sweeping and disinfecting floors. This Shark steam mop is a lightweight, simple-to-use steam cleaner.
