Frequently Asked Questions about Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile are exceptional flooring options for homes in both British Columbia and Alberta with inherent moisture resistance, durability, and aesthetic versatility. Read these Vinyl FAQs for even more helpful info!
What is luxury vinyl flooring?
A far cry from traditional sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl is a plasticized, flexible vinyl that is comprised of a high-quality vinyl core, print film, and a wear layer. Unlike rolls, luxury vinyl is offered in luxury vinyl plank and luxury vinyl tile formats with glue-down and click-lock options. Luxury vinyl offers tremendous moisture resistance due to the inherent nature of vinyl, with many options warranted for waterproof installation and enhanced scratch and stain protection.
What is luxury vinyl plank?
To mimic the most popular hardwood flooring styles, luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are long, narrow planks of vinyl that are thicker and more rigid than sheet vinyl, making them more durable and scratch-resistant. Most luxury vinyl planks are composed of thick PVC with a design layer that gives planks an authentic hardwood visual. This design layer features realistic tones and textures that capture a range from light wood to charcoal and midnight black.
What is luxury vinyl tile?
To mimic stone, porcelain, or ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is constructed with a thick vinyl layer that makes it more durable and rigid than sheet vinyl, as well as a design layer that provides incredibly realistic stone striations and veining. Since LVT doesn’t require the level subfloor or grout work that traditional tile or stone does, installing and maintaining luxury vinyl tile is much easier!
Is luxury vinyl flooring waterproof?
Vinyl is a naturally waterproof material, and waterproof luxury vinyl flooring is defined by the product warranty. Waterproof LVP and LVT products feature locking mechanisms that are engineered to withstand and lock out topical water penetration at the joints and will not allow water to permeate or penetrate through the top or the bottom surface. Warranted wood-plastic composite (WPC) or solid polymer core (SPC) luxury vinyl constructions will provide the ultimate waterproof protection.
Does luxury vinyl flooring come with an attached pad?
Many luxury vinyl products feature an attached underlayment with benefits such as noise reduction, moisture barrier, mold inhibitor, greater comfort, and longer performance. Underlayment types can vary between luxury vinyl products, so match the qualities of the attached pad to your household needs. If your luxury vinyl flooring does not feature attached padding, it is highly recommended to purchase quality underlayment.
What are the best luxury vinyl care and maintenance steps?
Luxury vinyl flooring is incredibly low maintenance. Daily or frequent sweeping will remove tracked-in dust and debris. Use a sponge mop and water once a week to remove any spots and a pH-neutral cleaner if needed. You can efficiently deep clean your luxury vinyl flooring by wet mopping whenever you prefer. We also highly recommend using felt pads and rugs to minimize the impact of heavy furniture and household activity.
How do I clean spills on my luxury vinyl?
Perfect for homes with kids and pets where frequent spills and accidents can occur, you can simply wipe up most spills on luxury vinyl when they happen and use a pH-neutral cleaner to remove dried spills. You do not need any steam cleanings, a vacuum, brushes, steel wool, or ammonia cleaners: Use a soft nylon brush, a manufacturer-approved cleaner, and water to treat spots and stains.
How long does luxury vinyl flooring last?
With proper installation and maintenance, your luxury vinyl flooring can last from 10 years up to 25 years in normal household conditions. The product warranty of luxury vinyl flooring can vary widely among products, and longer warranties will cost more to purchase. High-quality underlayment will help your luxury vinyl floors to resist wear longer and enhance performance.
Is vinyl flooring a good fit for BC and Alberta homes?
With outstanding water and moisture resistance, vinyl offers tremendous advantages within our diverse climates:
- Coastal British Columbia: In areas like Vancouver with higher humidity and frequent rain, homes will benefit immensely from vinyl's waterproof or highly water-resistant properties. Spills, tracked-in rain/snow, and general atmospheric moisture are much less likely to cause damage (swelling, warping, mold) to vinyl flooring.
Alberta: Even in generally drier areas like Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta still experiences seasonal humidity shifts and the challenge of melted snow and ice being tracked indoors during winter. Vinyl's resistance to moisture makes it very practical for entryways, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements where water exposure is common.
Is luxury vinyl a good alternative to hardwood and stone?
Yes! Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are available in a vast array of realistic designs that convincingly mimic the look and texture of hardwood, natural stone, and ceramic tile. This allows homeowners to achieve a high-end look without the associated cost or maintenance. While prices vary by quality, vinyl flooring generally offers a more budget-friendly alternative to real hardwood or high-end tile, providing excellent value. When it comes to maintenance, vinyl is incredibly easy to clean: Regular sweeping, vacuuming, or dust-mopping, with an occasional spot treatment or damp mopping is all it takes!
What are the keys to installing new vinyl flooring?
Proper vinyl installation is the biggest key to the long-term performance of your floors!
- Subfloor Preparation: Ensure a clean, dry, and flat subfloor to avoid an uneven appearance and potential wear issues. Click-lock floating installation is popular for DIY capability, but will need a flat subfloor for best results.
- Acclimation: Even with its stability, allowing vinyl planks or tiles to acclimate to the room's temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours helps the material stabilize and prevents excessive movement after installation.
- Expansion Gaps: If installing a floating vinyl floor, it's still important to leave a small expansion gap around the perimeter of the room and around fixed objects. While less prone to expansion/contraction than other materials, some movement can occur.
Underlayment: Underlayment will provide benefits like sound dampening, insulation, and minor subfloor imperfection masking. For concrete subfloors, ensure any underlayment provides an adequate vapor barrier to prevent moisture wicking.
Does vinyl flooring provide durability?
Both LVP and LVT options are engineered to be highly durable, with a robust wear layer that resists scratches, dents, and scuffs. This makes it ideal for busy Canadian households with children, pets, and active lifestyles. However, not all vinyl is created equal! We recommend investing in quality LVP or LVT with a 20 mil or higher wear layer for residential applications and a stable SPC or WPC core for optimal performance.
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