Luxury vinyl has revolutionized the flooring market. You can’t look at flooring without finding luxury vinyl popping up as a popular flooring choice.
We find when people come in looking for luxury vinyl, they still are a bit confused by what it is and what they can expect. This isn’t the vinyl your parents or grandparents installed. Luxury vinyl plank is different from luxury vinyl tile.
If you want new floors and you’re leaning toward luxury vinyl, dive a little deeper into this amazing product to get exactly what you’re looking for.
Where it started – a history of vinyl
Vinyl is a synthetic material. That means it’s created in a lab rather than out in nature.
Flooring wasn’t its intended use. Instead, Dr Waldo Semon was trying to create an adhesive from polyvinyl chloride to bond metal and rubber back in 1926 when he developed something else. What he formulated was a flexible, fire-resistant, waterproof plastic, known as PVC. It was crafted into a variety of products, including the popular vinyl floor coverings we use today.
Sheet vinyl
Vinyl flooring is often referred to as resilient flooring. It’s used as an alternative to natural products such as stone, tile, or hardwood because it mimics the look yet offers a more affordable product.
This is the product most remember from their youth. It was often boring, had a handful of looks, and became a scuff mark magnet as people moved through the house.
Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Luxury Vinyl Tile: Which is Right for Your Home?PVC Polymer Vinyl sample for customers to choose the floor design within the copy space
Nowadays, vinyl is crafted in many ways, has many more aesthetics and styles, and includes a UV-cured urethane coating that allows it to be easily cared for and look good for years.
Sheet vinyl is soft and comfortable underfoot when compared to other natural products like stone or hardwood. That’s from its production:
- Top coat – the wear layer that protects the design and adds sheen
- Wear layer – safeguards the pattern layer
- Pattern layer – the image or graphic that provides the classic good looks
- Cushion layer – adds bounce and texture to the flooring
- Fiberglass – this creates structure and keeps the sheet vinyl flat
- Base layer – supports all other layers
Sheet vinyl works well if you want a seamless floor. Many people prefer this in rooms where moisture is an issue, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, or basements.
Vinyl into luxury vinyl – the differences
Technology has changed everything, including vinyl flooring.
For many, they loved the concept of vinyl, yet still prefer the looks of hardwood and tile.
Why not marry the two together? That’s what started the luxury vinyl market. It’s the perfect choice for homeowners who desire a more durable floor that will be easy to maintain … and is more affordable, too.
Luxury vinyl tile is crafted from multiple layers of vinyl, with a top layer designed to mimic stone or wood. The top layer has added protection to make it resistant to stains, scratches, wear and tear.
Luxury vinyl planks are designed from one solid piece of vinyl with a printed design on top used to mimic wood or stone. It’s harder than other forms of vinyl, and is also easy to install and maintain.
Luxury vinyl tile advantages
What makes a good choice for one homeowner isn’t always what’s best for another. That’s why it makes sense to talk with one of our flooring representatives before finalizing your decision. Some of luxury vinyl tile’s qualities include:
- Durability – if you need resilient flooring, it’s hard to beat luxury vinyl tile. It’s a product that stands up to everyday wear and tear in a way you won’t find with more sensitive flooring types like laminate or hardwood. Yes, you can find moisture-resistant luxury vinyl tile. Some manufacturers have moved into waterproof alternatives. This product can stand the test of time in all sorts of medium and high traffic residential situations.
- Aesthetics – you’ll be surprised at the wide variety of colors and designs. Because this product is crafted in the lab, it bends the color combinations you’ll find in natural products. If you’re trying to match specific colors or designs, you’ll have a good chance of finding what you’re looking for with luxury vinyl tile.
- Sound insulation – we love luxury vinyl tiles because they bring a softer feel underfoot than traditional stone or tile. The qualities that keep it a softer flooring product also benefit it with sound insulation. This can be a big benefit in a busy home where you want noise levels minimized throughout the day and evening.
Luxury vinyl plank advantages
Planks create a very distinct look favored by many homeowners. Luxury vinyl planks offer distinct advantages over other vinyl products including:
- Affordability – it’s easier to produce than luxury vinyl tile, and has a straightforward construction process that makes it more budget-friendly than with more traditional hardwood products.
- DIY installation – many homeowners or DIY fix-and-flippers want an easy product they can install themselves. That’s where luxury vinyl planks have an advantage. There’s no need for glue or nails; simply click and lock each plank into place using an interlocking system, which is also found on some laminate floors.
- Easy repairs – order a few extra planks, and you’ll have some on hand if one becomes damaged, scratched, or stained. Remove the section and replace it with a new plank without a lot of hard work or trouble.
Which flooring is the better option?
When deciding between luxury vinyl tile or luxury vinyl plank, it depends on your personality and individual needs. You’ll want to look at both products, assess your budget, and choose the one that feels right to you.
Both can provide great value for the money when compared with traditional hardwood or stone tile products. They offer plenty of durability and stylish aesthetics.
No matter which you choose, we have a solution to fit your needs. Stop by today and look at our entire product line to finalize the right flooring for your home remodeling project.